Chemotherapy Procedure
Overview
Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to target and destroy rapidly dividing cells, especially cancer cells. It helps treat many types of cancer and can be combined with other therapies. While it offers many benefits, chemotherapy also comes with risks and side effects.
Key Facts:
- Main Use: Treats various cancers
- Drug Types: Many options, sometimes combined
- Possible Side Effects: Can be mild or serious
Reasons for Use
Chemotherapy plays a key role in cancer treatment plans. Doctors may use it alone or with other therapies, depending on the cancer type and stage. The main goal is to destroy cancer cells or stop them from multiplying.
Doctors may choose chemotherapy as the only treatment if the cancer has not spread much or if other treatments are not possible. Sometimes, doctors give chemotherapy after surgery to kill any small cancer cells that remain. This is known as adjuvant therapy and helps reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
In other cases, doctors give chemotherapy before treatments like radiation therapy or surgery to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove or treat. This is called neoadjuvant therapy.
Chemotherapy can also help control symptoms in people whose cancer has spread, or metastasized. Doctors may use palliative chemotherapy to shrink tumors or slow their growth to ease pain or other problems. Doctors may also combine chemotherapy with other treatments, such as:
- Targeted Therapy: Focuses on proteins or genes in cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: Boosts the body’s T cells and immune system to fight cancer.
- Hormone Therapy: Blocks hormones that help certain cancers grow.
- Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Topical Chemotherapy: Used for cancers on the skin.
Treating Other Conditions with Chemotherapy
Doctors also use chemotherapy drugs for some blood and bone marrow diseases, like leukemia or lymphoma. These drugs may prepare a patient for a stem cell or bone marrow transplant by destroying unhealthy cells.
Doctors sometimes prescribe low doses of chemotherapy drugs to control symptoms of autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs can calm an overactive immune system when other treatments have not worked.
Risks
Immediate Effects During Chemotherapy
During chemotherapy, patients may experience several unpleasant effects. Common problems include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many people notice hair loss, reduced appetite, or weight loss.
Fatigue can make daily tasks harder. Other possible issues are mouth sores, pain, constipation, bruising easily, and bleeding. Sometimes, fever occurs if the immune system gets weaker.
Skin and nail changes, such as dryness or discoloration, may also occur. Emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression can appear as well. Most of these issues, though distressing, typically improve after treatment ends.
Persistent and Delayed Effects After Treatment
Certain chemotherapy side effects may not show up right away but can develop months or even years later. These can include lung tissue damage, heart issues, or infertility.
Kidney problems and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) may be long-lasting or even permanent. Some patients are at risk of developing a second cancer in the future.
Memory and thinking problems, known as “chemo brain,” might persist. Patients should watch for new symptoms and discuss any changes with their health care team.
Getting Ready for Your Chemotherapy
Preparing for chemotherapy involves several important steps to support safety and comfort. The cancer care team works closely with each patient to make sure the treatment process goes smoothly.
Health Checks
Doctors usually order blood tests to measure how well the liver and kidneys are working. Heart tests are also common, since certain drugs can affect the heart. These tests help decide if your body is ready for treatment or if changes are needed to the plan.
Dental Visit
Because chemotherapy sometimes lowers the immune system, infections become more risky. Dentists can spot and treat any problems in the mouth before treatment, which lowers the risk of complications.
Planning for Side Effects
It is helpful to understand what changes may occur during chemotherapy. Talk with your cancer care team about what changes may happen during chemotherapy and how to prepare. This may include planning for fertility preservation, emotional support, or items like hats or scarves if hair loss occurs.
Home and Work Arrangements
Since most chemotherapy happens in clinics, many people can still work or take care of most daily tasks. However, it is smart to talk with your doctor about how treatment might affect your routine. Some people may need extra support at home or at work. Planning help for things like meals, child or pet care, and transportation can reduce stress.
Tips for Making Arrangements
| Task | Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Driving | Arrange for a ride to the first session. |
| Meals | Prepare food in advance or store easy options. |
| Work/School | Inform your employer or school about treatment dates. |
| Child/Pet Care | Set up help if you will need time to recover. |
| Home Help | Ask friends or family for support. |
Medical Devices and Procedures
Before starting, some patients may need a special device, like a port or catheter, placed in a large vein. This device makes it easier to get chemotherapy drugs through an IV. Sometimes, a pump may also help deliver the medicine. Doctors put these devices in place through a minor surgery.
Visit Preparation
Before each session, being well-rested and having a light meal can make the process easier. The first treatment may make you drowsy, so having someone with you is a good idea. Ask the cancer care team about any other steps to take before arriving at the clinic.
What You Can Expect
How Your Chemotherapy Medicines Are Chosen
Doctors select chemotherapy medicines by considering different factors. These include the type of cancer, how far it has spread, a person’s general health, and what treatments have been tried before.
A patient’s own wishes and treatment goals also play a part. Working together with the doctor, patients can review their options and decide which drugs are suited for their needs.
The Different Ways Chemotherapy Can Be Given
Chemotherapy drugs can enter the body in a variety of ways. Here are common methods:
| Method | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Intravenous (IV) infusion | Medicine goes straight into a vein, usually in the arm or sometimes in the chest. | Drip or pump |
| Pill or capsule | Some chemotherapy drugs can be swallowed as a tablet or a capsule. | Oral meds |
| Injection (shot) | Drugs are given as a shot into a muscle or under the skin. | Syringe |
| Cream or gel | Some cancers on the skin are treated by rubbing a special medicine directly on the area. | Topical use |
| Targeted delivery | Sometimes drugs are inserted into a certain part of the body, like the abdomen or bladder. | Catheter |
| Direct placement | In some cases, medicine is put close to where the tumor was during surgery, like a small disk. | Implant |
Each way of giving chemotherapy is chosen for the best results, based on individual needs.
Timing and Frequency of Treatments
The schedule for chemotherapy depends on several things. Doctors assess the medications used, the type of cancer, and the patient’s recovery after each treatment session.
Treatment might be given in regular cycles. A cycle usually includes a treatment period followed by a rest time to help the body heal. Some people get medicines all the time, while others have planned breaks.
Locations Where Chemotherapy Is Given
Chemotherapy can be received in different places, based on the patient’s needs and the type of treatment:
- Outpatient Clinic or Infusion Center: Most commonly, patients visit a center to receive IV infusions.
- Doctor’s Office: Some injections or short treatments can be done at a medical office.
- Hospital: If a person needs close watching or a special treatment method, they might stay in the hospital.
- Home: Certain pills or capsules make it possible for patients to take treatment at home, following doctor’s instructions.
The place for treatment is chosen for safety and comfort, as well as what kind of chemotherapy is needed.
Results
During chemotherapy, patients have regular meetings with their oncologist to discuss side effects and how to manage them. At the same time, doctors use lab tests and imaging scans to monitor whether the treatment is working.
These results help show if the cancer is shrinking, stable, or progressing. Based on this information, doctors may adjust the treatment plan as needed. This ongoing monitoring helps ensure that chemotherapy remains safe and effective.
