Before we go through the basics of Chemotherapy, let's first give a quick explanation of what cancer is. Cancer is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells that may spread from its original location. When a cancer spreads or invades adjacent tissues, the cancer is considered malignant. Benign tumors are those that do not grow uncontrollably and do not invade and spread to other tissues. It should be noted that benign tumors may still become malignant.
How does chemo work?
Let's keep in mind that Chemotherapy is an area of treatment that is always changing and evolving. Chemo interrupts the way cancer cells multiply themselves. The drugs travel the blood stream, which allows them to reach the cancer cells. At the same time, this process also produces side effects. If the therapy is successful, the cancer cells should completely disappear permanently and any damage done to healthy cells should become a thing of the past.
What Side effects are there?
The side effects can be different depending on the individual and on the exact therapy given. Some of the most common side effects include: Hair loss, Tiredness, skin sensitivity, sore mouth and mouth ulcers. There could also be some effects on your blood, bone marrow, kidneys and liver. The good news is that the side effects are not long term and should completely disappear when the chemo therapy ends.
How is chemo administered?
Depending on the type of therapy given, chemo can be administered orally, intravenously (through the veins) or some times through the spine. When administer orally, it could be given via a pill or in liquid form. When given intravenously, it could be injected with a needle or syringe through the skin and into the veins. When administered through the spine, a needle carrying the chemo drugs is inserted into a space in the spinal cord.
Does chemo hurt?
Besides the sensation of needles going through the skin or the spine, chemotherapy in itself should not hurt. When people refer to how bad chemo feels, they mostly refer to the side effects of the procedure and not the actual moment when the drugs are administered.
What is the success rate?
The chances of survival cannot be given with an accurate number. Some studies point to a success rate of as low as 1% to as high as 50%. The reason for this is because there are many variables to take into consideration. Some of the variables include the type of cancer, how far is the cancer, a person's age and a person's current health. It's best to speak to your doctor about your particular case.
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