Chemotherapy implies the use of chemical substances to treat a tumor. It is a very important part of the treatment of tumors along with the surgery and radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy aims to destruct and kill all tumor cells or to stop their growth. One agent or several agents are administered through various routes.
The branch of medicine that deals with chemotherapy is called Medical Oncology, and the physicians of this medical discipline are called Medical Oncologist.
Medical oncology is a separate medical discipline, and medical oncologist is an internist who specializes in the treatment of tumor. As the treatment of tumor is a matter of teamwork, it must be performed at healthcare facilities where all members of the team are available.
The team should consist of a surgeon specialized in the tumor surgery, a radiation oncologist specialized in radiotherapy, and a medical oncologist specialized in chemotherapy and patient care (supportive care).
Depending on the type of tumor and the patient’s characteristics, chemotherapy can be given for a variety of reasons.
Though chemotherapy is an effective treatment method, it may not, sometimes, eliminate the tumor completely, but can treat only the symptoms of the tumor in order to provide the patient with a more comfortable life.
The only treatment option is chemotherapy in certain tumors. On the other hand, chemotherapy is used consecutively or synchronously with other treatment methods (surgery and radiotherapy) in other tumors.
What are the administration routes of chemotherapeutic agents?
Intravenous route (the most common one)
Intravenous chemotherapeutic agents are usually given through an infusion set or adding them into isotonic sodium chloride, and they are infused at certain intervals. The patient may be hospitalized if the procedure will last for a long time.
By mouth
In some cases, you take chemotherapeutic pills, tablets or capsules at home. In this case, you need to clearly understand the instructions for use and you should consult your doctor if you have any question. Moreover, you should contact your doctor, if you notice any side effect.
Administration into body cavities
Depending on the status and location of the disease, chemotherapeutic agent(s) may be administered into the abdominal cavity, pleura, and urinary bladder. However, such procedures must be performed in a healthcare facility under the supervision of a medical oncologist.
Does chemotherapy cause hair loss? What should be done?
Chemotherapy can cause a temporary hair loss two or three weeks after the treatment, depending on the type and dose of the chemotherapeutic agent(s). However, your hair starts to re-grow immediately after the chemotherapy is completed. The changes in your hair color and structure will spontaneously disappear. You should not let hair loss cause emotional distress. You can create temporary solutions through accessories such as a wig, head scarf or hat.
How do doctors select drugs for chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy drugs to be administered are decided by a medical oncologist depending on a variety of factors such as the type of tumor, its spread, age of patient, general condition, and other existing diseases (heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disease). Moreover, doses and dosage schedule of the drugs are also decided by the medical oncologist based on various factors.
Does use of other medications during chemotherapy pose risk?
Some drugs may interact with chemotherapeutic agents and lead to serious side effects. Before chemotherapy is started, you should inform your doctor or nurse about the name, dose and dosage schedule of all drugs you take at home. It is necessary to keep in mind that the medicines such as aspirin, painkillers, common cold medicines, herbal drugs, nutritional supplements, and vitamins, which are not considered as drug by patients, may interact with chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, you should not take any drug during the treatment until you consult your doctor.
Is there any side effect of chemotherapy?
As chemotherapy kills the cells that are growing and dividing, it may damage the healthy cells with such characteristics. Such cells are found in the bone marrow, digestive system, reproductive system, and hair follicles. Therefore, the side effects are more common in these parts of the body.
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. Most of the side effects appear as long as you receive chemotherapy and they disappear when your treatment is ended.
Fatigue and Anemia
Chemotherapy damages the ability of bone marrow to produce red cells and decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of your body. Such condition usually results in anemia that is characterized by insufficient oxygen supply to tissues, resulting in a dysfunction. Anemia may lead to fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Anemia
Anemia implies low count of red blood cells in your body and it can be manifested by fatigue, weakness, chest pain, palpitation, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Microbial Contamination and Infection
As chemotherapy will cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells that fight off the germs in your body, you can get sick easier during chemotherapy. Therefore, you should take more care of your health while you are on chemotherapy.
Hair Loss
It is a common side effect, but it does not necessarily emerge. Your doctor will inform you about whether your chemotherapy drugs will lead to hair loss. You should not hesitate to share your feelings if hair loss makes you feel depressive.
Loss of Appetite
Chemotherapy may cause a decrease in your appetite, and the loss of your appetite may result in weight loss, weakness and fatigue.
Consider the following recommendations to manage your loss of appetite:
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea is one of the most important chemotherapy-related complaints. Chemotherapy may cause vomiting due to its negative effect on your stomach and the relevant center in your brain.
Complete blood count
This test quantifies the white blood cells that fight off the germs and are produced by the bone marrow, hemoglobin that carries the oxygen, and the platelets that stop bleeding.
Urinalysis
Certain tests that are analyzed in the fresh urine specimen or a 24-hour urine specimen are used to determine whether you have any problem with your kidney, bladder and urinary tracts. You should have this test if your doctor considers it necessary.
Biochemistry profile
Some biochemical tests, such as serum urea, creatinine, glucose, and liver enzyme, determine whether our organs function properly. It is known that chemotherapy drugs vary in side effects.
Your doctor will order different biochemical tests, depending on the type of chemotherapy. You should have the relevant tests a day before your chemotherapy or in a pre-scheduled date, and you should visit your doctor to have you test results reviewed.
Bleeding
Your platelet count can decrease depending on your chemotherapy drugs. Decreased platelet count increases the risk of bleeding.
The measures you can take in case of low platelet count
If you are already bleeding
Use a clean towel to firmly compress the bleeding site, until your bleeding stops.
If you have subcutaneous bleeding
Hold an ice pack on the relevant area of your body for 20 minutes.
Take care of your nutrition
You should consult your doctor to determine which foods and beverages are right for you.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Though chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, normal and healthy cells of the body are also affected depending on the drugs administered and the reaction of your body. It is difficult to predict the side effects that a certain patient will face; interpersonal variations apply. Constipation, diarrhea, high risk for infection, and edema are some of the side effects.
Constipation
Constipation is a condition that is characterized by lower defecation frequency, hard stool and painful and uncomfortable defecation. Some chemotherapy drugs, a sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate nutrition may cause constipation.
To prevent constipation:
Diarrhea
Chemotherapy may change your bowel habits. It is not significant to a certain extent, but if your diarrhea lasts long or if it is severe and painful, you should immediately contact your doctor.
Consider the following recommendations to control your diarrhea
Increased Risk of Infection
As chemotherapy will reduce your white blood cells (leukocytes) that fight off the germs, the risk of infection may increase during chemotherapy. However, it is possible to reduce the risk with some precautions that can be taken.
Edema
Chemotherapy may cause edema (excessive fluid retention) in the body. Some types of cancer also lead to edema. You should consult your doctor if you recognize edema on your face, arms, legs, and lower abdomen.
Following recommendations can be useful to prevent swelling
As chemotherapy kills the cells that are growing and dividing, it may damage the healthy cells with such characteristics. Such cells are found in the bone marrow, digestive system, reproductive system, and hair follicles. Therefore, the side effects are more common in these parts of the body. However, most side effects appear during chemotherapy, and they disappear when your treatment is ended.
Difficulty Swallowing and Mouth Sores
Mouth sores that are also known as mucositis may appear in the mucosa of the mouth or the throat during chemotherapy due to various reasons such as failure to renew cells of the mouth cavity and the esophagus, hypersensitivity of the body against bacteria and viruses, inadequate fluid intake, and improper oral care.
Such sores pose a great danger for health if they are infected. In addition, dryness of the mouth as well as difficulty chewing and swallowing may also appear.
To prevent the abovementioned symptoms
Nutrition during chemotherapy
During the treatment, a healthy and balanced nutrition is very important in order to cope with the side effects of chemotherapy, to be protected from the risk of infection, and to improve the healing of normal tissues damaged by chemotherapy drugs. Good nutrition implies eating all nutrients in a balanced manner.
Daily nutrition should include nutrients from the following five main groups:
Nutritional considerations during chemotherapy
