Chemotherapy, also known as cytotoxic therapy, refers to drugs that fight and kill cancer. Cancer generally means uncontrolled multiplication of cells in the body that have lost their normal ability to control their growth and spread. On the other hand, most of the normal cells in the body do not divide rapidly like cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by killing only those cells that are growing and dividing rapidly. This allows chemotherapy to kill cancer cells while not affecting most of the normal cells in the body.

Subtypes of therapy

• Adjuvant therapy- Use of chemotherapy after surgery or radiation. It helps in destroying microscopic cancer cells and prevents their recurrence.

• Concurrent chemotherapy- Chemotherapy is used along with radiation therapy. It helps in synergistic action and acts as a radiosensitizer.

• Neoadjuvant therapy- It is the use of chemotherapy to shrink cancer cells before surgery or radiation therapy.

• Palliative therapy- It is used in metastatic cases. In this chemotherapy helps in decreasing tumor size and symptoms related to it.

• Perioperative chemotherapy- Used prior to surgery and post surgery.

Benefits of chemotherapy

• Following surgery, chemotherapy may lower the risk of the disease returning and hence improve survival.

• Symptomatic improvement .

• Decrease tumor size and help in making tumors resectable.

Downside of chemotherapy

• Different short-term and long-term adverse effects might result from chemotherapy.

• It can be exhausting to frequently visit the hospital for treatment, check-ups, and testing on various days.

• Chemotherapy has distinct effects on each individual and may not be as effective for some.

Methods of administration

• Infusions of chemotherapy. Most frequently, chemotherapy is administered through a vein infusion (intravenously). A tube with a needle can be inserted into a vein in the arm or the chest to provide the drug.

• Tablets or pills for chemotherapy. There are pills and capsules available for some chemotherapy drugs.

• Chemotherapy injections. Chemotherapy medications can be administered intravenously, much like a shot.

• Chemotherapy medications, for instance, might be administered directly into the belly (intraperitoneal chemotherapy), chest cavity (intrapleural chemotherapy), or central nervous system (intrathecal chemotherapy).

Side effects of chemotherapy therapy

The negative effects you experience from chemotherapy will depend on the prescription medication or drug combination.

Various drugs cause side effects

• Hair Loss

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Loss of taste

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Constipation and diarrhoea

• Mouth Sore

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Weakens immune system

• Infertility

• Tingling, numbness in fingers and toes

Do’s & Don’ts during treatments

Do’s

• Keep yourself hydrated

• Maintain proper hygiene

• Eat regularly

• Yoga, walking

Don’ts

• Avoid large meals

• Avoid those who are contagious or have any infections.

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked food.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chemotherapy