Chemotherapy, which many refer to simply as chemo, involves taking certain medications to treat cancer. Chemo may be performed before surgery and may actually allow patients to avoid surgery by killing all the cancer cells. Chemotherapy cancer treatment usually is performed after surgery as well to make sure all the cancer cells are eradicated. Chemo may be performed along with radiation treatment or by itself.
History
The first use of drugs to treat cancer was discovered accidentally during World War II when people were exposed to mustard gas. The chemical warfare caused those who were exposed to have low while blood cell counts, leading doctors to believe the ingredients may have an affect on cancer. Doctors at the American Cancer Society report that mustard gas was first used as a chemotherapy drug to treat lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the while blood cells. The remarkable results encouraged continued research into using drugs to kill the fatal disease.
Types
There are hundreds of drugs that can be used for chemotherapy. Mayo Clinic doctors report that among the most common chemo types are alkylating agents that target the DNA in cancer cells to prevent their reproduction and antimetabolites that block the enzyme pathways cancer cells need to multiply. Antitumor antibiotics block the growth of cancer and modify the DNA of the cells. Other common cytotoxic chemo drugs are mitotic inhibitors that slow down the production of cancer cells and nitrosoureas that stop enzymes from repairing damaged cancer cells.
Features
Chemotherapy drugs can be used in concert with other treatments such as radiation, where they can boost the effectiveness of the procedures Additionally, various cancer-killing drugs can be combined to treat different sorts of the disease. Chemo can be used to prevent the growth of cancer in at-risk patients or to slow the growth of the cancer cells to provide a longer life and better quality of life for those with a terminal disease. Drugs usually are administered intravenously.
Time Frame
Time frames vary depending on how long and how often a patient undergoes chemotherapy treatments. Cycles of chemo may be administered daily, weekly or monthly for varying lengths of time. Treating physicians typically build in a recovery period between visits for patients receiving chemo.
Effects
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, but because they are so strong, they also kill healthy cells, which causes a plethora of side effects. Side effects vary from patient to patient, depending on the type of medication used, the level of the cancer being treated and the general health of the patient. Common side effects of chemo include nausea and vomiting, fatigue, hair loss and anemia. Chemo can cause changes in appetite, nerve and muscle problems, sores in the mouth and throat, intestinal disorders and infertility.
