Chemotherapy
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy drugs are potent chemicals which can control cancer. Since cancer cells have several ways to survive and multiply, different drugs have been discovered to kill or at least slow the growth of cancer cells.
Each drug has a different mechanism of action so combinations of drugs are often used to fight cancer. There are many standard combinations used in treatment and many more are being tested in clinical trials in hopes of improving the ability to treat disease. Additionally, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation or chemotherapy and surgery are used in combination to improve treatment results.
What are the Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
Historically the side effects of chemotherapy drugs were very difficult to manage and compromised quality of life or worsened the outcomes. Now with more advanced supportive care medications to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy, cancer treatments are more effective and less toxic. Although each chemotherapy drug has specific side effects, common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Anemia (low blood counts)
- Nausea
- Hair loss (temporary)
- Numbness
- Infections
How are Chemotherapy Drugs Administered?
Depending on your type of cancer, chemotherapy drugs are delivered by different routes:
- By mouth
- By injection
- Under skin
- Into the muscle
- Into spinal fluid
- Directly into tumor
- By infusion into a blood vessel (intravenous or intra-arterial)
The intravenous route is the most common method and it allows the distribution of the anticancer drug to most locations in the body. Therefore these drugs can be effective both at the primary site of the tumor, and in places where cancer cells may have spread.
Intravenous treatment may be delivered over a few minutes to a few hours. Technological advances now allow the administration of some intravenous drugs at home through a small device that delivers the drugs automatically and precisely. This type of treatment is generally administered over several weeks.
For patients who require ongoing intravenous treatment, a catheter may be implanted under the skin and connected to a large vein. The catheter has a metal or plastic “port” and spares the patient from multiple needle sticks for both blood draws and drug infusions. The catheter does not interfere with activities such as bathing or swimming and may be used to maximize patient comfort.In order to empower patients with knowledge to help them more effectively fight cancer, there is more specific information about diseases and treatments available at all of the Pacific Oncology sites.
Comprehensive Care
Pacific Oncology has an experienced and qualified staff of over 125 people to support every aspect of your medical care.