CHEMOTHERAPY
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of drugs or medications to treat cancers
Why do you need chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is needed to destroy cancer cells. It is used to cure cancer, and when that is not possible, it is used to control the spread of cancer, reduce the tumor size and improve the patient's symptoms and quality of life.
How does chemotherapy act?
Most chemotherapy kills cells that rapidly grow and divide like cancer cells. They also affect other rapidly dividing cells like those which line the mouth and gut or hair.
How will it be given to me?
Chemotherapy may be given in many ways.
o Injection: The chemotherapy is given by a shot in a muscle (Intramuscular or IM) in your arm, thigh, or hip, or right under the skin (subcutaneous or SC) in the fatty part of your arm, leg, or belly.
o Intravenous (IV): The chemotherapy goes directly into a vein.
o Oral: The chemotherapy comes in pills, capsules, or liquids that you swallow
o Intrathecal (IT): Chemotherapy is given into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord by doing a procedure called a lumbar puncture.
o More on IV Chemotherapy: IV is the most common route of administering chemo and is usually done by placing a small cannula on the hand or lower arm by a nurse. For more prolonged or frequent schedules or when the medications are irritant, indwelling devices are used.
Catheters: A central line or PICC (Peripherally inserted central catheter). These can be inserted in the wards, operation theatres, or radiology department.
Ports: A port is a small, round disc made of plastic or metal that is placed under your skin. A catheter connects the port to a large vein, most often in your chest.
How will I know if the chemotherapy is working?
Physical examination by the doctor, along with blood tests, bone marrow examinations, and imaging studies like CT scans at prefixed time points in the treatment schedule, are used to monitor response to therapy.
Are there any special diet recommendations during chemotherapy?
Clean and freshly cooked food is essential to avoid infections. It is advisable to avoid uncooked salads, as they can be contaminated. However, cooked meat is not a contraindication during chemotherapy. Foods with fibre help prevent constipation, while clear liquids and liquid foods can help when there is no appetite. Sometimes doctors may advise foods high in calories if there is a much weight loss. In special instances when the patient is unable to take eat due to severe side effects, necessary calories and proteins will be provided intravenously (IV) called Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) or through a feeding tube inserted in the nose called nasogastric (NG) feeds.
Can I travel during chemotherapy?
Travel must be undertaken with precautions to prevent coming in contact with crowds. It is preferable to avoid long-distance travel when blood counts are low or while having an infection or other complications.
Can I take my other routine medication and any other Over the Counter (OTC) medication?
Any pre-existing medical condition and routine medications (e.g. tablets for high blood sugar or blood pressure, inhalers for asthma) must be informed to the doctors and nurses at the initial visit.
Can I take herbal supplements/ayurvedic products at the same time?
Most allopathic doctors are not trained in herbal and ayurvedic systems of medicine; hence they will not be able to give you correct information regarding the efficacy and side effects of these products. Further, there may also be interactions between these products and chemotherapy. For these reasons, it may not be advisable to combine these treatments.
Common side effects of chemotherapy
o Anaemia
o Nausea and Vomiting
o Diarrhoea
o Constipation
o Fatigue and Tiredness
o Hair loss
o Infection
o Nervous system changes
o Pain .
o Pregnancy and Infertility