Chemotherapy: All About Its Working And Side Effects

by Prem Singh Digital Marketing Expert

Chemotherapy is a medical treatment that uses powerful chemicals to destroy the quickly multiplying cells in your body. Due to the fact that cancer cells grow and multiply far more quickly than the majority of other body cells, it is the cancer treatment that is employed the most frequently.

Chemotherapy drugs can be used singly or in combination to treat a variety of cancers.

Even though chemotherapy is a beneficial treatment for many cancer types, side effects are possible. While some side effects of chemotherapy are minor and manageable, others might have lifetime consequences. In this blog post, we will give you a brief overview of chemotherapy, how it works, and what are the possible side effects.

Reasons to opt for Chemotherapy as a cancer treatment option

Chemotherapy is used to eradicate cancerous cells in cancer patients. It can be administered to cancer patients in a number of situations, including:

● To treat cancer without further therapies. Chemotherapy can be used as the main or only form of cancer treatment.

● To eliminate cancer cells that are concealed after prior therapies. After previous treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy can be used to eliminate any cancer cells that may still be present in the body. Adjuvant treatment is the term used by doctors.

● To get patients ready for more treatments. A tumor can be reduced by chemotherapy so that other therapies, such as radiation and surgery, are feasible. Neoadjuvant treatment is the term used by physicians.

● Helps in reducing the symptoms and indications. Chemotherapy may lessen cancer symptoms by killing the cancerous cells

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

The most common side effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, nausea and vomiting, anemia, hair loss, mouth sores, diarrhea, constipation, and neuropathy. Some of these side effects can be very severe and even life-threatening.

One of the most prevalent adverse effects of chemotherapy is fatigue. It can be so severe that it interferes with a person's ability to perform daily activities. Fatigue may last for several weeks or even months after treatment has ended.

Nausea and vomiting are other common side effect of chemotherapy. They are often caused by the drugs used to treat cancer. Nausea and vomiting can be very severe and may last for several days.

A disease known as anaemia occurs when there are insufficient numbers of healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to the body's tissues. Shortness of breath and weariness may result from this. Chemotherapy frequently has the adverse effect of anaemia.

Patients may experience hair loss as a side effect. Hair loss usually begins 2-3 weeks after starting treatment and may continue for several weeks after treatment has ended.

Mouth sores are a common side effect in cancer patients. They can be painful and make it hard to eat or drink. Mouth sores usually go away a few days after treatment has ended.

Diarrhea is a common side effect of chemotherapy. It can be mild or severe and may last for several days or weeks after treatment has ended.

Conclusion

If you are considering or have been recommended chemotherapy as a treatment option, this article provides an overview of how it works and what to expect in terms of side effects. Once therapy is over, the majority of adverse effects disappear. Chemotherapy can, however, have long-term negative effects for certain people, such as infertility or a higher chance of developing certain cancers. Before beginning therapy, be sure to understand any potential side effects with your doctor. At Park Hospital, you may receive professional advice from the best oncologist in Gurgaon. They are one of the best cancer hospitals and provide the exceptional facilities for treatment.