Chemotherapy

Description chemotherapy

Chemotherapy – treatment, used, to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy involves taking drugs, that are toxic to fast-growing cancer cells.

To What chemotherapy is?

Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer. The goal is, to reduce the number of cancer cells or reduce tumor size, until its destruction.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Many types of chemotherapy not only kill cancer cells, but also may damage some of the normal cells of the organism. This may lead to side effects. Side effects of chemotherapy different. Before, how to get chemotherapy, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Nausea and / or vomiting;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Loss of appetite;
• Hair loss;
• The low number of red blood cells (anemia);
• A weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections;
• Fatigue;
• Mild swelling and / or bleeding;
• Mouth ulcers;
• Persistent numbness and tingling in the hands and / or feet, or weakness due to nerve damage;
• Renal;
• Damage to the heart muscle;
• Infertility;
• Ischomenia.

As provoditsyahimioterapiya?

Preparing for Chemotherapy

Before chemotherapy may be asked to take some medicine, such as:

• Steroids;
• Medication allergies (antigistaminы);
• Medicines for nausea;
• Sedatives;
• Antibiotics.

Procedure chemotherapy

The doctor will talk about the best method of receiving medications. Chemotherapeutic drugs can be administered into the body in several ways:

• Oral (orally);
• Injection into a muscle or a vein;
• The catheter into the bladder, abdominal cavity, thoracic cavity, the head, spinal cord, or liver;
• By application to the skin.

How long will the chemotherapy?

The duration depends on the route, the number and amount of drugs. The time can be short, eg, to swallow the pill. The procedure can also take several hours or all day.

Some types of chemotherapy can be provided as a continuous infusion through a portable pump.

Chemotherapy – Will it hurt?

The course of treatment can cause a number of serious side effects. The introduction of chemotherapy drugs, usually, painlessly.

The average time of stay in the hospital for chemotherapy

Often, You can leave the hospital after taking medicines. Some methods require chemotherapy hospital stay. It may take up to 2-3 days.

The physician can hold the patient in a hospital, If you are experiencing excessive complications. For Example, if there is severe vomiting, may need to stay in the hospital,.

Care After Chemotherapy

Care in a hospital

It may be performed following steps:

• Provided drugs for home reception (eg, anti-nausea);
• Injections of drugs to enhance resistance to the immune system;
• Take other medicines, including steroids, medication allergy (antihistamines), antirvotnыe drugs, sedatives, and antibiotics.

Home Care

Upon returning home, you need to perform the following actions, to ensure the normal recovery:

• We need a lot of sleep;
• You can do some exercise every day. Exercise can help reduce fatigue;
• We need to eat healthy foods;
• It is necessary to drink plenty of fluids, to avoid dehydration;
• Use special mouthwashes, to prevent or treat oral ulcers;
• After chemotherapy can be assigned injections, helping to maintain a stable number of leukocytes;
• It is necessary to avoid people with diseases, that can spread easily, including children. Chemotherapy, probably, It weakens the immune system. Viral diseases (eg, cold or flu) can have serious consequences;
• Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.

Your doctor may order the following tests to check the progress of treatment:

• Blood tests;
• Urine;
• Roentgen – test, which uses radiation emissions, to take pictures of structures inside the body, especially bones;
• Ultrasound examination – test, which uses sound waves to find tumors;
• MRT – test, which uses magnetic waves, to take pictures inside the body;
• CT scan – type of X-ray, which uses computer, to make pictures of structures inside the body;
• X-ray examination of bones – type of X-ray, which shows the area of ​​the bone with an unusual activity;
• Bone marrow biopsy – removing a sample of bone marrow for the study.

Contact your doctor after chemotherapy

Upon returning home from the hospital need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Mouth ulcers, throat, or on the lips;
• White patches in the mouth;
• Difficulty / pain with swallowing;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Vomiting, which makes it difficult to take the liquid;
• Blood in the vomit;
• Easy bruising;
• Nosebleeds, krovotochivosty right, vaginal bleeding;
• Blood in urine or stool;
• Burning or frequent urination;
• Cough, shortness of breath or chest pain;
• Severe weakness;
• Shortness of breath or cough;
• Pain in the shins, edema, redness of the legs or feet (may mean that a blood clot);
• Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching or unpleasant odor;
• New or uncontrollable pain;
• Numbness, tingling or pain in the extremities;
• Joint pain, constraint, rash or other symptoms;
• Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding, or swelling at the site of intravenous drugs;
• Headache, stiff muscles;
• Changes in hearing or vision;
• Tinnitus;
• Contact with a person with infectious diseases, including chickenpox;
• Increase or weight loss of five kilograms or more.

In the case of a serious and rapidly deteriorating health should immediately call an ambulance.