Chemotherapy is used to treat different kinds of cancer by destroying cells causing the cancer. Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled mitotic cell division of mutated cells. Uncontrolled mitotic cell division is where cells divide with out needing to and creating a mass of undifferentiated cells which is your cancer tumour.
Chemotherapy is intended for the treatment of cancer but is also used on non-cancerous conditions. Cancer (of which there are around 200 types) is treated by using a variety of ways with the aid of more than 50 types of chemotherapy drugs.
How Chemotherapy Works
Anticancer drugs destroy cancer growths but sometime healthy cells may be destroyed. Drugs these days reach cancer cells very quickly since the route taken is through the blood. Each drug has different effects and side effects so many doctors use a combination of drugs. Chemotherapy drugs employ numerous ways to annihilate cancer cells. There are other drugs used for treating cancer which directly block the effects of some of your body’s hormones.
By using biological therapy the immune system can be boosted and boost some substances present your body. Usually theses substances fight against cancer and several other diseases, but since they are only available in minute amounts in our body they are made artificially in the laboratory and they can be used to destroy cancer cells or change the bodies immune response when it encounters a cancerous cell. This can provide good results but also has side effects but looking on the bright side if it proves successful you wont have any cancer inside you!
Through cancer treatment healthy chemotherapy drugs can adversely affect normal cells. Some of these parts are:
• Our digestive system
• The hair follicles
• The bone marrow (this makes red blood cells and those responsible for your immune system)
• Lining in our mouth
Chemotherapy treatment is done with a series of sessions and each session is followed by some rest period. In each session most of cancer cells get destroyed and the rest period helps for recovery of normal cells and tissues.
Treatment Procedure
This treatment is used for many types of cancer and it is based on:
• Type of cancer
• The part of body affected by cancer
• Your health
• Effect of cancer on your body functions
Chemotherapy treatment is received in cycles depending on the condition or growth of cells and the potency of drugs used. Cycles continues from every few days to several weeks according to condition of disease. Drugs can be taken in different forms decided by doctor according to the type of cancer you have. Time period during each treatment helps your body to rest and produce new and healthy cells. There are some examples of chemotherapy forms:
• Intravenous (IV) - In this treatment chemotherapy is injected into a vein using a needle through the skin. It permits rapid distribution of chemotherapy through out the whole body.
• Oral- In this form of chemotherapy you can swallow the pills through mouth.
• Injection - In this process drug is injected into muscles or into a cancerous area, using needle.
• Topical- This type of drug is applied to the skin to treat localized skin cancer.
If the treatment is done by feeding drug directly into the bloodstream, it is called intravenous chemotherapy. Following are some ways that are used to introduce the chemotherapy drugs to your body.
• A portable catheter - In this process a thin tube is used to put into vein in arm or chest.
• A central line- A central line is a thin tube that leads from the kin of your chest to main vein near heart. As it is on the left side of your body medicines are injected through it when you need them.
• A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line- In this process a thin tube is placed into a vein present in crook of your arm and threaded to vein till it is in vein near to heart. This PICC line can stay in place as it is for few months.
• An infusion pump- This pump is attached to the central line or PICC line. This treatment provides good results because it feeds correct dose of chemotherapy into bloodstream over a few days.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
The target of chemotherapy is not only to destroy cancer cells but also prevent healthy cells from getting divided rapidly. There may be chances of side effects that are temporary or long term side effects. However, every time drug is not a cause for side effect. Following are some side effects caused by chemotherapy.
• Hair loss
• Dryness of mouth and change in sense of taste
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling sick and vomiting
• Swelling with pain
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Bleeding
• Nausea
• Sores of mouth (stomatitis)
• Susceptibility to infection
• Infertility
• Numbness in your feet and hands
• Damage of heart, nerve, lung, liver
• Changes in hearing
• Skin changes like dryness and discolored
• Get infection easily
• Tiredness
• Infertility
The above are temporary side effects that end on type of drug or combination of drug you are taking and the period of your drug course. Mostly these side effects stop as your treatment stops. We may control these side effects using other medicines. Many of these side effects are very common as weakness or sickness and we may control them by using anti-emetic medicines. There are different types of side effects due to the chemotherapy drugs, so you have to consult to doctor before treatment.
Side effects like organ damage include the problems of heart, lungs and kidneys, nerve damage. These are long term side effects. Blood in urine is known as hemorrhagic cystitis and it is also a long term side effect. Cancer includes certain diseases like Hodgkin’s disease, non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukaemia and some types of tumours are also considered as long life side effects.
Feelings During Chemotherapy
You may feel fear, anxiety and depression during chemotherapy treatment. Additionally, it is also important how you are feeling physically. However, many peoples like to collect information about the disease they have. You have to find out the much more information and don’t afraid to ask questions. Some people avoid you because of lack of knowledge of cancer and its treatment. It will be better if you talk to others openly about illness, needs, feelings and treatments of cancer. You should be fit by physically as well as mentally. During chemotherapy you may lose concentration that affects your ability to listen and understand. Therefore you have to take help from your friends, partner or any family member at your treatment visit.
You may feel tired and listless during chemotherapy treatment. You may get tired very soon after some normal activities, but it is normal condition during this period. To avoid this you have to plan your daily activities due to the energy required for it. Take rest after each energetic activity. If you get tired easily then finish your important work first. You may take help from your family members for the activities like cooking, chores and many more. Part time work will be better for you. You must have to conserve your energy for the important event of your life by avoiding extra work.
