Chemotherapy...information....the experience....

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. These powerful medications circulate in the bloodstream and directly damage the cells that are actively growing. Because cancer cells generally grow and divide faster than normal cells, they are more susceptible to the action of these drugs. Although this is a defining characteristic of cancerous cells, it is also a feature of some actively growing normal cells, such as cells in the blood, mouth, intestines, and hair. Side effects occur when the chemotherapy damages these healthy cells that maintain the body's function and appearance. However, damage to healthy cells is unavoidable, and this damage accounts for the side effects linked to these drugs.  

Doctors and scientists are continually working to identify new drugs, methods of administering (giving) chemotherapy, and combinations of existing treatments that have fewer side effects. As a result, many types of chemotherapy are easier to tolerate than medications used even a few years ago. In addition, doctors have made major strides in recent years in reducing pain, nausea and vomiting, and other physical side effects. Your health care team will work with you to prevent or manage many of these side effects. 

Uses of traditional chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is often used as an adjuvant treatment (treatment given after surgery or radiation therapy) to kill any cancer cells that remain. Chemotherapy is used to treat recurrent cancer (cancer that comes back after treatment) or metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). 

Goals of chemotherapy

The goals of treatment with chemotherapy depend on the type of cancer and how much it has spread. Usually the primary goal of chemotherapy is to eliminate cancer cells and prevent recurrence. This is our goal!!! If it is not possible to eliminate the cancer, chemotherapy may be used to control the cancer by slowing its growth and/or to reduce symptoms caused by the cancer.

Chemotherapy treatment plan

I receive treatments in my doctor’s office. Chemotherapy regimens (schedules) consist of a specific number of cycles given over a specific period of time.
Many of the traditional chemotherapy drugs cannot be given every day without causing serious side effects. As a result, they are usually given intermittently, with periods of treatment followed by periods of recovery. This allows healthy (noncancerous) cells time to heal.

I receive my chemotherapy by:
Intravenously (IV): The medication goes directly into a vein. Many of the traditional chemotherapy drugs are given by this method. A dose of IV chemotherapy usually lasts a few hours. Along with the chemo meds they give me an antihistamine & nausea medicine.

Before treatment begins, you will meet with a medical oncologist who will review your medical records and perform a physical examination.

I chose to receive chemotherapy, I was asked to give written permission (informed consent). The informed consent form confirms that you have received information about your treatment options and that you are willing to undergo chemotherapy. By signing the informed consent form you are also telling your health care team that you understand there is no guarantee the treatment will achieve the intended results.

A list of potential questions to ask the doctor (link)