What is the purpose of chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a strong medicine that kills fast-growing cells in your body, often used for treating cancer because cancer cells grow faster than other cells. There are many kinds of chemotherapy drugs, either used alone or together, to treat different types of cancer. While chemotherapy can effectively treat various cancers, it can also have side effects. Some side effects are mild and can be treated, but others can be serious.
There are different situations in which chemotherapy may be used for people with cancer:
As the primary treatment: Chemotherapy can be used alone to cure cancer.
After other treatments: It can be used after surgery or other treatments to eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the body. This is known as adjuvant therapy.
To prepare for other treatments: Chemotherapy can shrink tumors before radiation or surgery, making these treatments more effective. This is called neoadjuvant therapy.
To alleviate symptoms: In some cases, chemotherapy can help manage symptoms of cancer by reducing the size of the tumor. This is referred to as palliative chemotherapy.
Additionally, some chemotherapy drugs are used to treat conditions other than cancer, such as:
Bone marrow diseases: Chemotherapy is often used to prepare for a bone marrow transplant to treat diseases affecting the bone marrow and blood cells.
Immune system disorders: Lower doses of chemotherapy drugs may be used to regulate an overactive immune system in conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy: What to Expect?
Chemotherapy carries risks, mainly in the form of side effects from the drugs used. These side effects vary with each drug, and not everyone experiences the same ones. It’s important to discuss potential side effects with your doctor before starting treatment.
During chemotherapy, common side effects may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Mouth sores
- Pain
- Constipation
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding
Many of these side effects can be managed or prevented, and they often diminish once treatment ends.
There are also long-lasting or late-developing side effects, such as:
- Lung damage
- Heart problems
- Infertility
- Kidney issues
- Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
- Increased risk of a second cancer
It’s essential to talk to your doctor about the possibility of experiencing these late side effects and to learn about the signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem.
How intravenous (IV) drugs are given?
Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy drugs are commonly administered through a vein, usually in your arm. There are several methods for delivering chemotherapy intravenously:
Needle: Typically inserted into a vein in your arm.
Catheter: A thin, flexible tube connected to a vein, often placed in your chest.
Port: A small disc implanted under the skin, connected to a catheter for chemotherapy delivery. Port placement involves minor surgery.
Pump: A device attached to a catheter or port, regulating the dosage of chemotherapy you receive.
Catheters and ports are beneficial for multiple chemotherapy sessions, reducing the need for frequent needle insertions in your arm. Additionally, they can be used by your oncologist to administer other medications like antibiotics or antiemetics (drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting). Click the images to view them in a larger size.
If you want to learn how chemotherapy is used specifically in sarcoma treatment, read our article Chemotherapy for Sarcoma.
Resources :
clevelandclinic.org
mayoclinic.org
Images :
- National cancer institute – cancer.gov Peripheral venous catheter
- Aboutkids Health.ca
- Cleveland Clinic
- BioMedical Engineering OnLine
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