Chemotherapy ......

Chemotherapy : is the use of chemical
substances to treat disease
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with
drugs that can destroy cancer cells. These drugs often are called "anticancer"
drugs.

How Does Chemotherapy Work
Normal
cells grow and die in a controlled way. When cancer occurs, cells in the body
that are not normal keep dividing and forming more cells without control.
Anticancer drugs destroy cancer cells by stopping them from growing or
multiplying. Healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide
quickly. Harm to healthy cells is what causes side effects. These cells usually
repair themselves after chemotherapy
Because some drugs work better together
than alone, two or more drugs are often given at the same time. This is called
combination chemotherapy
What Can Chemotherapy
Do
1- To control the cancer. This is done by keeping the cancer from
spreading; slowing the cancer's growth; and killing cancer cells that may have
spread to other parts of the body from the original tumor.
2- To relieve
symptoms that the cancer may cause. Relieving symptoms such as pain can help
patients live more comfortably.

Causes Side
Effects
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),
How Long Do Side Effects
Last
Normal cells usually recover when chemotherapy is over, so most
side effects gradually go away after treatment ends, and the healthy cells have
a chance to grow normally. The time it takes to get over side effects depends on
many things, including your overall health and the kind of chemotherapy you have
been taking.
Fatigue << Fatigue from cancer
feels different from fatigue of everyday life
Nausea and
Vomiting <
vomiting while receiving chemotherapy
What can I do if I have nausea and
vomiting
Drink liquids at least an hour before or after mealtime .
Drink
frequently and drink small amounts .
Eat and drink slowly .
Eat small
meals throughout the day .
Chew your food well for easier digestion.
If
nausea is a problem in the morning, try eating dry foods before getting up
.
Drink cool, clear, unsweetened fruit juices, such as apple or grape juice
.
Breathe deeply and slowly when you feel nauseated
Rest but do not lie
flat for at least 2 hours after you finish a meal.
Pain
Chemotherapy drugs can cause some side effects that
are painful. The drugs can damage nerves, leading to burning, numbness, or
shooting pain, most often in the fingers or toes. Some drugs can also cause
mouth sores, headaches, muscle pains, and stomach pains.
Hair Loss
Hair loss (alopecia) is a common side effect
of chemotherapy, but not all drugs cause hair loss. Hair loss can occur on all
parts of the body, including the head, face, arms and legs, underarms, and pubic
area. The hair usually grows back after the treatments are over.

Anemia
Chemotherapy can reduce the bone marrow's ability
to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When
there are too few red blood cells, body tissues do not get enough oxygen to do
their work. This condition is called anemia.

Infection
Chemotherapy can make you more likely to get
infections. This happens because most anticancer drugs affect the bone marrow,
making it harder to make white blood cells (WBCs),
Blood
Clotting Problems
Anticancer drugs can affect the bone marrow's
ability to make platelets, the blood cells that help stop bleeding by making
your blood clot.
Mouth, Gum, and Throat
Problems
Good oral care is important during cancer treatment. Some
anticancer drugs can cause sores in the mouth and throat, a condition called
stomatitis or mucositis. Anticancer drugs also can make these tissues dry and
irritated or cause them to bleed.
Diarrhea //
Constipation // Nerve and Muscle Effects // Skin and Nails // Fluid Retention //
Kidney and Bladder Effects // Effects on Sexual Organs .

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