Health Topics for Cancer

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Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the delivery of powerful drugs designed to stop cells from growing. Cancer is made up of abnormal cells that divide rapidly and attack normal tissue. Chemotherapy interrupts the cell's division cycle and kills the cell.

Chemotherapy may be given by mouth or by injection into a vein, muscle, or artery. Some treatments can be self-administered and last from as little as 10 minutes to a few days. A portable pump for treatment into the veins is now available. This pump makes sure the prescribed dosage of medicine is given over the correct time period. A hospital stay may no longer be necessary in some cases. Depending on the type of malignancy (cancer) that a person has, chemotherapy may be given weekly, monthly, or daily. Chemotherapy treatments can last from several weeks to several months. Chemotherapy may sometimes cause unpleasant side effects.

Side effects depend on the kinds of drugs given and may include:

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• hair loss
• fatigue
• tingling and numbness in your fingers and toes
• sores in your mouth
• lowered blood counts that make you more likely to get an infection or to bleed more easily or
• weight loss

Your healthcare provider will be watching closely for any side effects. They can provide many options to help manage them. If the side effects become severe, the dose of the drug may be lowered or the treatment may be postponed. In extreme cases, treatment might be discontinued. Sometimes hospitalization is required if severe side effects are expected from the chemotherapy treatments or they actually happen.

Chemotherapy can be just one part of your treatment. Other therapies might include radiation therapy or surgery.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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