Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs that can destroy cancer cells. These drugs often are called "anticancer" drugs.

Normal cells grow and die in a controlled way. But when cancer occurs, abnormal cells in the body keep dividing and forming more cells without control. Anticancer drugs destroy cancer cells by stopping them from growing or multiplying.

Healthy cells could also be harmed, especially those that divide quickly, as cancer cells may grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells. Many anticancer drugs are made to kill growing cells, but as certain normal, uninfected cells also multiply quickly, chemotherapy treatment could cause damage to these cells as well. Harm to the healthy cells is what causes the side effects experienced from chemotherapy, however these cells are usually able to repair themselves after being exposed to chemotherapy.

The fast-growing normal cells most likely to be affected are blood cells forming in the bone marrow and cells in the digestive tract (mouth, stomach, intestines, esophagus), reproductive system (sexual organs), and hair follicles. Some anticancer drugs may affect cells of vital organs, such as the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system.

It is different from person to person as to what side effects might be experienced from chemotherapy treatment. The different kinds of side effects and the severeness of these depends on the type and dose of chemotherapy administered and of course how the body reacts. Most people have no serious long-term problems from chemotherapy. However, on some occasions, chemotherapy can cause permanent changes or damage to the heart, lungs, nerves, kidneys, reproductive or other organs. Certain types of chemotherapy may have delayed effects, such as a second cancer that could show up many years later. Ask your doctor about the chances of any serious, long-term effects that can result from the treatment you are receiving (but remember to balance your concerns with the immediate threat of your cancer).

Great progress has been made in preventing and treating some of chemotherapy's common as well as rare side effects. Many new drugs and treatment methods destroy cancer more effectively while doing less harm to the body's healthy cells.

The side effects of chemotherapy can be unpleasant, but they must be measured against the treatment's ability to destroy cancer. Medicines can help prevent some side effects such as nausea. Sometimes people receiving chemotherapy become discouraged about the length of time their treatment is taking or the side effects they are having. If that happens to you, talk to your doctor or nurse. They may be able to suggest ways to make side effects easier to deal with or reduce them.