Details of Chemotherapy

It is a drug treatment in which high chemical doses are given in patient's body. It is given to treat cancer killing abnormal and uninvited cells. Sometimes it is given to treat bone marrow diseases and immune system disorders.

May include:

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Dehydration
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Drowsiness
• Weakness & Fatigue
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Bone pain
• Kidney damage
• Fever and chills
• Excessive sweating
• Weight loss
• Swelling in the neck
• Feeling heavy stomach
• Chest and lower back pain

May include:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Exposure to atomic radiation
• HIV, Hepatitis, some retroviruses
• Plasma disorder
• Genetic disorder
• Chemo or radiation therapy

• May be recommended:
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Imaging tests like CT, MRI and PET scan
• Biopsy of the bone marrow

The drugs can be given in following ways:

Chemotherapy infusion: It is a way to give the medicine into a vein.

Chemotherapy pills: It may be given as pills.

Chemotherapy shots: It may be given with an injection.

Chemotherapy creams: It is mostly given for skin cancer to apply on the skin.

Chemotherapy drugs used to treat one area of the body. It can be given directly to an area of the body.

Because of chemotherapy may patient may face:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Mouth sores
• Pain
• Constipation
• Easy bruising
• Bleeding