Chemotherapy

by Editorial Staff And Contributors

Definition

Chemotherapy is a treatment used to kill cancer cells. It involves taking medications that are toxic to fast-growing cells like cancer cells.

Reasons for Procedure    TOP

Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer. The goal is to reduce the number of cancer cells or decrease the size of tumors.

Side Effects    TOP

Many types of chemotherapy drugs not only damage the cancer cells but can also damage some of your normal cells. This can create side effects. Side effects will vary between chemotherapy treatments. Your doctor will review a list of possible side effects for your treatment type. Some side effects of chemotherapy include:

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Appetite loss
  • Hair loss
  • Low red blood cell count — anemia
  • Weakened immune system and increased infections
  • Fatigue
  • Easy bruising and/or bleeding
  • Mouth sores
  • Numbness and tingling sensation in the hands and/or feet, or weakness due to nerve damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Damage to the heart muscle
  • Infertility
  • Interruption of the menstrual period

You and your doctor will talk about options to help relieve some of these side effects.

What to Expect    TOP

Prior to Procedure

You may be asked to take some pre-medications such as:

  • Steroids
  • Allergy medications, such as an anti-histamine
  • Anti-nausea medications
  • Sedatives
  • Antibiotics

Description of the Procedure

Your doctor will talk to you about the best way to deliver the medication(s). Chemotherapy drugs may be given by:

  • Mouth
  • Injection into a muscle or vein (IV)
  • Catheter tube into the bladder, abdomen, chest cavity, brain, spinal cord, or liver
  • Application to the skin

Chemotherapy Through Cardiovascular System

Chemotherapy
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

How Long Will It Take?    TOP

How long it will take depends on the method used, the number of medications, and the amount of each medication. A session may be as brief as the time it takes to swallow a pill. It could also take several hours or last overnight. Some types of chemotherapy can be given as a continuous infusion through a portable pump.

Will It Hurt?    TOP

The treatment may cause a number of uncomfortable side effects. The delivery of the chemotherapy usually does not hurt.

Average Hospital Stay    TOP

Most often, you can leave after the medication is delivered. Some chemotherapy treatments will require a stay in the hospital. This may be about 2-3 days.

Your doctor may choose to keep you in the hospital if you have complications, such as severe vomiting.

Post-procedure Care    TOP

At the Hospital

You may be given any of the following:

  • Medications to take at home, such as anti-nausea medication
  • Injections of an immune-system or blood cell boosting drug
  • Other drugs, including steroids, allergy medications, sedatives, and antibiotics
At Home

When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

  • Get a lot of sleep.
  • Try to do some physical activity each day. Exercise can help to reduce fatigue.
  • Try to eat a healthy diet.
  • Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
  • Try to avoid people with diseases that can be spread easily, including children. Chemotherapy will likely weaken your immune system. Viral illnesses, such as the cold or flu, can have serious effects.
  • Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Your doctor may order any of the following tests to check the progress of your treatment:

Call Your Doctor    TOP

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Sores in your mouth, throat, or lips
  • White patches in your mouth
  • Difficulty/pain with swallowing
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Vomiting that prevents you from holding down fluids
  • Blood in your vomit
  • Easy bruising
  • Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, new vaginal bleeding
  • Blood in your urine or stool
  • Burning or frequency of urination
  • Chest pain
  • Severe weakness
  • Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or cough
  • Calf pain, swelling, or redness in the legs or feet
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
  • New pain or pain that you cannot control with the medication you were given
  • Numbness, tingling, or pain in your extremities
  • Joint pain, stiffness, rash, or other new symptoms
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or a pimple at the site of your IV
  • Headache, stiff neck
  • Hearing or vision changes
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Exposure to someone with an infectious illness, including chickenpox
  • Weight gain or loss of 10 pounds or more

In case of an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca
Cancer Care Ontario
http://www.cancercare.on.ca

References:

Chemotherapy and you. National Institutes of Health website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 11, 2014.
Understanding chemotherapy. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated August 2008. Accessed September 11, 2014.
10/26/2009 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Adamsen L, Quist M, Andersen C, et al. Effect of a multimodal high intensity exercise intervention in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2009;339:b3410.
Last reviewed August 2014 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 9/11/2014