Chemotherapy:
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a term used by doctors to refer to drugs that can kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be given in a variety of ways, including intravenously by injection, intravenously with a pump, or even in pill form taken by mouth. Each drug works against a specific cancer, and each drug has specific doses and schedules for taking it. Chemotherapy can be given in a variety of situations:
Primary chemotherapy is used when colorectal cancer is advanced and has already spread to different parts of your body. In this situation, surgery cannot eliminate the cancer, so your best bet is to be treated with chemotherapy, which can shrink tumor nodules, alleviate symptoms, and prolong life.
Adjuvant chemotherapy is when chemotherapy is given after the cancer is surgically removed. The surgery may not eliminate all the cancer, so the adjuvant chemotherapy treatment is used to kill any cancer cells that may have been missed, such as cells that may have metastasized or spread to the liver.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is chemotherapy given before surgery. Chemotherapy drugs may be given prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumor so that the surgeon can completely remove the tumor with fewer complications. Chemotherapy is also given with radiation, as it makes the radiation more effective.
Talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment strategy for you.
Chemotherapy Drugs Used for Colorectal Cancer
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the first-choice chemotherapy drug for colorectal cancer for many years. It is used in combination with leucovorin (a vitamin), which makes 5-FU more effective. 5-FU is given intravenously. Recently, a pill form of 5-FU has been developed, called Xeloda, which is used for colorectal cancer that has spread to other organs.
Several new chemotherapy drugs also are used for the treatment of colorectal cancer that has spread. These include Camptosar, Eloxatin, Avastin and Erbitux. Camptosar, Eloxatin, and Avastin are usually given along with 5-FU for metastatic colorectal cancer. Erbitux is administred intravenously either alone or with Camptosar.
What Are the Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
Because the mechanism of chemotherapy is to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, it also kills other rapidly dividing healthy cells in our bodies, such as the membranes lining the mouth, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, the hair follicles, and the bone marrow. As a result, the side effects of chemotherapy relate to these areas of damaged cells.
The side effects of chemotherapy can include:
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Hair loss
Mouth sores
Rash on the hands and feet
Diarrhea
Other side effects associated with chemotherapy's effects on the bone marrow include an increased risk of infection (due to low white blood cell counts), bleeding or bruising from minor injuries (due to low blood platelet counts), and anemia-related fatigue (due to low red blood cell counts).
The side effects that occur with chemotherapy depend upon the particular drugs given and the individual. For example, hair loss is not common in most chemotherapy treatment currently offered for colorectal cancer. However, some people may experience some hair thinning. Although it may take some time, side effects related to chemotherapy will resolve when chemotherapy is stopped.
If you are experiencing any side effects, tell your doctor. In many cases, side effects can be treated or prevented with medications or change in diet.
Showing posts with label Chemotherapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chemotherapy. Show all posts
ovarian cancer:chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. Most women have chemotherapy for ovarian cancer after surgery. Some women have chemotherapy before surgery.
Usually, more than one drug is given. Drugs for ovarian cancer can be given in different ways:
By vein (IV): The drugs can be given through a thin tube inserted into a vein.
By vein and directly into the abdomen: Some women get IV chemotherapy along with intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy. For IP chemotherapy, the drugs are given through a thin tube inserted into the abdomen.
By mouth: Some drugs for ovarian cancer can be given by mouth.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles. Each treatment period is followed by a rest period. The length of the rest period and the number of cycles depend on the anticancer drugs used.
You may have your treatment in a clinic, at the doctor's office, or at home. Some women may need to stay in the hospital during treatment.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on which drugs are given and how much. The drugs can harm normal cells that divide rapidly:
Blood cells: These cells fight infection, help blood to clot, and carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When drugs affect your blood cells, you are more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak and tired. Your health care team checks you for low levels of blood cells. If blood tests show low levels, your health care team can suggest medicines that can help your body make new blood cells.
Cells in hair roots: Some drugs can cause hair loss. Your hair will grow back, but it may be somewhat different in color and texture.
Cells that line the digestive tract: Some drugs can cause poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Ask your health care team about medicines that help with these problems.
Some drugs used to treat ovarian cancer can cause hearing loss, kidney damage, joint pain, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Most of these side effects usually go away after treatment ends.
You may find it helpful to read NCI's booklet Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment.
Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. Most women have chemotherapy for ovarian cancer after surgery. Some women have chemotherapy before surgery.
Usually, more than one drug is given. Drugs for ovarian cancer can be given in different ways:
By vein (IV): The drugs can be given through a thin tube inserted into a vein.
By vein and directly into the abdomen: Some women get IV chemotherapy along with intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy. For IP chemotherapy, the drugs are given through a thin tube inserted into the abdomen.
By mouth: Some drugs for ovarian cancer can be given by mouth.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles. Each treatment period is followed by a rest period. The length of the rest period and the number of cycles depend on the anticancer drugs used.
You may have your treatment in a clinic, at the doctor's office, or at home. Some women may need to stay in the hospital during treatment.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on which drugs are given and how much. The drugs can harm normal cells that divide rapidly:
Blood cells: These cells fight infection, help blood to clot, and carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When drugs affect your blood cells, you are more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak and tired. Your health care team checks you for low levels of blood cells. If blood tests show low levels, your health care team can suggest medicines that can help your body make new blood cells.
Cells in hair roots: Some drugs can cause hair loss. Your hair will grow back, but it may be somewhat different in color and texture.
Cells that line the digestive tract: Some drugs can cause poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Ask your health care team about medicines that help with these problems.
Some drugs used to treat ovarian cancer can cause hearing loss, kidney damage, joint pain, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Most of these side effects usually go away after treatment ends.
You may find it helpful to read NCI's booklet Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment.
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