Chemotherapy


a treatment period is followed by a recovery period, then another treatment period, and so on. Usually a patient has chemotherapy as an outpatient at the hospital, at a doctor’s office or clinic, or at home. However, depending on which drugs are given and the patient’s general health, the patient may need to stay in the hospital for a short time.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the drugs and the doses the patient receives. Most anticancer drugs affect cells that divide rapidly. These include blood cells, which fight infection, help the blood to clot, or carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When blood cells are affected by anticancer drugs, patients are more likely to develop infections, may bruise or bleed easily, and may have less energy. Cells that line the digestive tract also divide rapidly. As a result of chemotherapy, patients can have side effects, such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, or mouth sores. For some patients, medicines can be prescribed to help with side effects, especially with nausea and vomiting. These side effects tend to gradually go away during the recovery period or after treatment stops.

Hair loss, another side effect of chemotherapy, is a major concern for many patients. Some chemotherapy drugs only cause the hair to thin out, while others may result in the loss of all body hair. Patients may feel better if they decide how to handle hair loss before starting treatment.

In some men and women, chemotherapy drugs cause changes that may result in a loss of fertility (the ability to have children). Loss of fertility can be temporary or permanent depending on the drugs used and the patient’s age. For men, sperm banking before treatment may be a choice. Women’s menstrual periods may stop and they may have hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Periods are more likely to return in young women.

In some cases, bone marrow transplantation and peripheral stem cell support are used to replace blood cell production when it has been destroyed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Read Also:

  • Chemotherapy, adjuvant

    Chemotherapy, adjuvant: Chemotherapy given after removal of a cancerous tumor to further help in treatment. Many chemotherapy drugs are most effective after the majority of the tumor has been removed.

  • Chemotherapy, topical

    Chemotherapy, topical: Treatment with an anticancer drug in a lotion, ointment or cream that is applied to the skin.

  • Chen, Zhong Wei

    Chen, Zhong Wei: (1929-2004) Chinese surgeon considered the “father of replantation.” Dr. Chen was the first to reattach a severed hand with success which he did in 1963.

  • Cherubism

    Cherubism: A genetic disorder of childhood that leads to prominence of the lower face and an appearance reminiscent of the cherubs portrayed in Renaissance art. Cherubism is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. The gene responsible for cherubism is called SH3BP2 (for SH3-domain binding protein 2). Exactly how a mutation in SH3BP2 leads to cherubism […]

  • Chest

    Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains the lungs, the heart, and part of the aorta. The walls of the chest are supported by the dorsal vertebrae, the ribs, and the sternum. Also known as thorax.


Disclaimer: Chemotherapy definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.