What is chemotherapy, how do the different types work and what are the side effects of the cancer drugs?
Chemotherapy is used to stop cancer cells multiplying so they don’t grow and spread in the body
CHEMOTHERAPY is when anti-cancer drugs are used to destroy cancerous cells in the body.
But what are the side effects and how do the different types work in the body?
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is when medication is used to kill cancer cells in the body.
There are numerous different of chemotherapy medication, but they have a similar purpose – to stop cancer cells multiplying so they don’t grow and spread in the body.
It can cause some unpleasant side effects, although many can be treated or prevented and will most likely pass after the treatment is over.
Before your chemo starts, you’ll have tests to see which treatment is suitable for you.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy treatment can help kill cancer cells, but it can also cause damage to healthy cells in the body, including skin cells, blood cells and stomach cells.
As a result, patients may experience some unpleasant side effects, including:
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Sore mouth
- Dry, sore skin
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Increase risk of infection
How do the different types of chemotherapy work?
Your doctor will advise you on the best course of action for you, and you may be treated with one type, or with a combination.
You may also have chemotherapy on its own, or with other treatments such as radiotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy or biological therapy.
Often you’ll have several treatment sessions, spread over a few months.
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The most common types are:
Intravenous chemo
This is when chemotherapy medicine is given into a vein in your hand, arm or chest and is typically administered in hospital.
Oral chemo
Patients will take a course of chemotherapy tablets at home, with regular hospital check-ins.