Chemo Treatment

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells to prevent them from growing and making more cells.

Many chemotherapy drugs have adverse effects that can be severe. However, if a doctor recommends a person have chemotherapy, this usually means that the benefits are likely to outweigh any adverse effects.

An individual will often undergo chemotherapy as part of an overall treatment plan, which may also include surgery and radiation therapy. These treatments are effective in many cases of cancer. However, their effectiveness will often depend on the type and stage of cancer, among other factors.

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A healthy body constantly replaces cells through a process of dividing, growing, and dying. When cancer occurs, cells reproduce uncontrollably and do not die when they should.

As a part of the body produces more and more of these abnormal cells, they start to occupy the space that useful cells previously took up.

Chemotherapy drugs interfere with a cancer cell’s ability to divide and reproduce. Drugs vary in how they work. Different drugs attack cancer cells at different phases in the cell life cycle.

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Chemotherapy is an invasive treatment that can have severe adverse effects both during the therapy and even sometime after. This is because the drugs cannot differentiate between healthy and cancer cells and tend to target both.

However, individuals with certain types of cancer who receive early chemotherapy treatment may achieve a complete cure. This makes the side effects worthwhile for many. Also, most of the unwanted symptoms go away after treatment finishes.

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The doctor will make a plan with an individual that specifies when treatment sessions will occur and how many sessions the individual will need.

A course of chemotherapy treatment usually lasts 3–6 months, depending on the type of drug and stage of cancer. Doctors typically administer chemotherapy in cycles, with rest periods between 1–4 weeks. Cycles have rest periods in between to allow a person’s body to recover.

An individual might have treatment on one day, followed by 1 week’s rest, then another 1-day treatment followed by a 3-week rest period, and so on. A person may repeat this schedule several times.

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Liver health: The liver breaks down chemotherapy chemicals and other drugs. Overloading the liver could trigger other problems. If a blood test detects liver problems before treatment, a person may have to postpone treatment until the liver recovers.

Complete blood count: Doctors will check a person’s red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet count before treatment. If these are low, a person may need to wait until they reach healthy levels before starting chemotherapy.

It is essential to have regular blood tests throughout the treatment period to ensure that blood and liver functions remain as optimal as possible and to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

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Most people will receive chemotherapy in a clinic or a hospital, but sometimes, they can take it at home. A person who receives chemotherapy drugs at home should take the dose exactly as prescribed. If they forget to take a dose at the right time, they should contact their doctor immediately.

Chemotherapy can produce adverse effects that range from mild to severe, depending on the type and extent of the treatment. Some people may experience few to no adverse effects.

Chemotherapy drugs attack fast-growing cells, such as hair cells. This may cause some people to experience hair loss or cause their hair to become thin or brittle a few weeks after starting their treatment.

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Wearing cooling caps can keep the scalp cool during chemotherapy treatment, which may help prevent or reduce hair loss. A 2019 study found that scalp cooling not only prevented hair loss but also caused faster recovery of hair volume after treatment.

Most, but not all, people find that their hair grows back once they have finished treatment. A counselor may offer advice about obtaining a hairpiece or another suitable covering during treatment.

The skin may become dry and sore. It may also become oversensitive to sunlight, which healthcare professionals call photosensitivity. People should take care in direct sunlight, including:

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Fatigue is among the most frequent side effects of chemotherapy. A person may experience this most of the time or only after certain activities.

To reduce fatigue, a person can consult a doctor about what the right balance of activity and rest is for them. In many cases, it is best to avoid total rest unless a doctor has instructed it.

Maintaining a level of physical activity may help with symptoms and may mean a person is able to carry on with everyday life as much as possible.

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WBCs help protect the body from infection. Chemotherapy can cause the number of WBCs to fall, weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of infections.

Individuals with febrile neutropenia should also avoid exposure to soil. They may have to avoid gardening, digging, outdoor construction, and similar activities.

People should take extra care when engaging in activities such as cooking, gardening, or shaving, to reduce the risk of injuring themselves.

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Consuming extra iron may help the body make more RBCs. People can take in extra iron from their diet. Good food sources include:

Oral mucositis affects the mouth. Symptoms can vary depending on the chemotherapy dose. It can make it painful to eat or talk, while some individuals experience a burning pain in their mouth or on their lips.

Chemotherapy, cancer, or both can affect how the body processes nutrients, which can lead to a loss of appetite and weight loss.

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The severity of these side effects depends on the type of cancer and chemotherapy treatment, but a person usually regains their appetite after treatment.

Tips to resolve this include eating smaller, more frequent meals and consuming nutrient-rich drinks, such as smoothies, through a straw to help maintain fluid and nutrient intake.

Some types of chemotherapy can reduce a person’s fertility. Often, this returns after treatment is over. However, people who wish to have children in the future may consider freezing sperm or embryos for later use.

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A doctor can advise on suitable birth control methods. Anyone who is pregnant or becomes pregnant during chemotherapy treatment should tell their doctor at once.

Chemotherapy can also lead to diarrhea or constipation, as the body expels damaged cells. Symptoms often begin a few days after treatment starts.

A doctor may prescribe medications to help with diarrhea before treatment begins. If a person feels they are becoming dehydrated due to diarrhea, they should contact a doctor right away.

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A doctor will recommend a suitable option for an individual. They may recommend combining chemotherapy with other options, such as radiation therapy or surgery.

Factors determining the type of chemotherapy and how well it will work include the location, type, and stage of the cancer and a person’s age, overall health, and any existing medical conditions.

The outlook for an individual receiving chemotherapy will depend largely on the type, stage, and location of the cancer and a person’s overall health. In some cases, complete remission is possible.

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There can be adverse effects, however, and people may need to adjust their lifestyle or work routine during treatment. However, these usually resolve after treatment finishes.

Each person’s situation is different. Nobody should make a decision without exploring all the available options. Having an honest, open discussion regarding outcome potentials and expectations with friends, family, and healthcare professionals is very important.

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If you're like many cancer patients, you immediately envision an unpleasant experience at the thought of chemotherapy: weeks of intense nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and transient hair loss.

These preconceived ideas about chemotherapy aren’t entirely accurate. Many cancer patients do experience some side effects of chemotherapy—both short-term and long-term—but others experience very few. Cancer treatment is improving and changing rapidly. We have many more chemotherapy drug options to choose from than ever before. These drugs may be used in combination with one another or with other innovative treatments, so they may be just one piece of your cancer care.

Chemotherapy drugs don’t all come with the risk of the same side effects. More (and better) medications and supportive therapies are available to help patients prevent and manage potential side effects. Many patients are surprised to find that not everyone experiences hair loss, and some patients actually feel better after starting chemotherapy when it causes the disease to regress.

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