Chemotherapy drugs can be used alone or in combination to treat a wide variety of cancers. Though chemotherapy is an effective way to treat many types of cancer, chemotherapy treatment also carries a risk of side effects.
Some chemotherapy side effects are mild and treatable, while others can cause serious complications. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs can be significant. Each drug has different side effects, and not every drug causes every side effect. Ask your doctor about the side effects of the particular drugs you'll receive. Many of these side effects can be prevented or treated. Most side effects subside after treatment ends.
Chemotherapy drugs can also cause side effects that don't become evident until months or years after treatment. Late side effects vary depending on the chemotherapy drug but can include:. Ask your doctor if you have a risk of any late side effects. Ask what signs and symptoms you should be aware of that may signal a problem. How you prepare for chemotherapy depends on which drugs you'll receive and how they'll be administered.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for your chemotherapy treatments. You may need to:. Make arrangements for help at home and at work. Most chemotherapy treatments are given in an outpatient clinic, which means most people are able to continue working and doing their usual activities during chemotherapy.
Your doctor can tell you in general how much the chemotherapy will affect your usual activities, but it's difficult to predict exactly how you'll feel.
Ask your doctor if you'll need time off work or help around your home after treatment. Ask your doctor for the details of your chemotherapy treatments so that you can make arrangements for work, children, pets or other commitments. Prepare for your first treatment. Ask your doctor or chemotherapy nurses how to prepare for chemotherapy. To learn more, talk with the business office where you go for treatment.
If you need financial assistance, there are organizations that may be able to help. To find such organizations, go to the National Cancer Institute database, Organizations that Offer Support Services and search for "financial assistance.
Chemotherapy is often given through a thin needle that is placed in a vein on your hand or lower arm. Your nurse will put the needle in at the start of each treatment and remove it when treatment is over.
IV chemotherapy may also be given through catheters or ports, sometimes with the help of a pump. There are many different chemotherapy drugs. Which ones are included in your treatment plan depends mostly on:. Outpatient means you do not stay overnight. No matter where you go for chemotherapy, your doctor and nurse will watch for side effects and help you manage them. For more information on side effects and how to manage them, see the section on side effects.
Treatment schedules for chemotherapy vary widely. How often and how long you get chemotherapy depends on:. You may receive chemotherapy in cycles. A cycle is a period of chemotherapy treatment followed by a period of rest. For instance, you might receive chemotherapy every day for 1 week followed by 3 weeks with no chemotherapy. These 4 weeks make up one cycle.
The rest period gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells. It is best not to skip a chemotherapy treatment. But, sometimes your doctor may change your chemotherapy schedule if you are having certain side effects.
If this happens, your doctor or nurse will explain what to do and when to start treatment again. Since everyone is different and people respond to chemotherapy in different ways, your doctor and nurses cannot know for sure how you will feel during chemotherapy.
You will see your doctor often. During these visits, she will ask you how you feel, do a physical exam , and order medical tests and scans. Tests might include blood tests. You cannot tell if chemotherapy is working based on its side effects.
Some people think that severe side effects mean that chemotherapy is working well, or that no side effects mean that chemotherapy is not working. The truth is that side effects have nothing to do with how well chemotherapy is fighting your cancer. Chemotherapy can damage the healthy cells that line your mouth and intestines and cause eating problems.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have trouble eating while you are receiving chemotherapy. You might also find it helpful to speak with a dietitian. For more information about coping with eating problems see the booklet Eating Hints or the section on side effects. Many people can work during chemotherapy, as long as they match their work schedule to how they feel. Whether or not you can work may depend on what kind of job you have. If your job allows, you may want to see if you can work part-time or from home on days you do not feel well.
Many employers are required by law to change your work schedule to meet your needs during cancer treatment. Talk with your employer about ways to adjust your work during chemotherapy. You can learn more about these laws by talking with a social worker. Menu Contact Dictionary Search. Understanding Cancer. What Is Cancer?
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During each treatment, the IV will be inserted into your port. You and your doctor can work together to consider all variables and determine the best course of your treatment. Chemotherapy is typically given in pill form or directly into veins by injection or an IV.
In addition to these two forms, chemotherapy may also be administered in several other ways. Where you receive treatment depends on your chosen delivery method. For instance, if you use creams or pills, you can give yourself treatments at home. Other procedures are usually performed at a hospital or a cancer treatment center. Your chemotherapy schedule, as in how often you receive treatment, will be customized for you.
Your doctor and cancer treatment team will regularly monitor the effectiveness of your treatments. These will include imaging techniques, blood tests, and possibly more. Your doctor can adjust your treatment at any time. The more you share with your doctor about how chemotherapy is affecting you, the better your treatment experience will be. Chemotherapy targets cancer cells, but it can affect healthy cells, too. This may lead to side effects such as anemia and hair loss.
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