Some chemotherapy drugs can damage the ovaries and … But to most people, the word chemotherapy (or "chemo") means drugs used for cancer treatment. You may also view our chemotherapy drug list by drug name. It’s linked to a tube (catheter) that connects to a large vein, usually in your chest. Click the drug name to learn how it works and common side effects. You may carry this pump with you, or a surgeon may place it under your skin. Port: It’s a small disc that a surgeon places under your skin. The term chemotherapy often refers to a kind of treatment for cancer in which chemicals are administered to destroy cancer cells. It targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do. Also called “chemo,” it’s a way to treat cancer that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Common long-term side effects of chemotherapy include early menopause and weight gain.Rare side effects include heart problems and leukemia.. Ask what signs and symptoms you should be aware of that may signal a problem. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease. It depends on the type of chemotherapy, how much you get, and how often you get it. See more. That doesn't mean chemo has no benefit. Unlike radiation or surgery, which target specific areas, chemo can work throughout your body. Catheter: It’s a soft, thin tube. Your genes may also play a part. It depends on your overall health, the type of cancer you have, how far along it is, and the amount and type of chemotherapy drugs. There’s no way to know for sure. This can be chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant, and any new therapies yet to be developed. Accessed Oct. 1, 2019. This content does not have an English version. Early menopause. Even when chemo can't cure people, it can often give them … Tell your doctor if you notice any signs of infection around your port. (3) The internet is a wealth of knowledge, but it's also a wealth of garbage. It usually is used to treat patients with cancer that has spread from the place in the body where it started (metastasized). Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. You may need to: Make arrangements for help at home and at work. Purpose The main purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. But the first time you may find that the medications make you sleepy or cause other side effects that make driving difficult. Although starting treatment like chemotherapy can be reassuring, it can also be confusing and scary. Not all chemo drugs cause hair loss. To stay logged in, please refresh the page or, if you are working on a form, click on the submit button to save your work. (2) The stage of the cancer, the side effects of the chemo, the benefits of the chemo are all part of the equation and should all be considered when making a decision. Chemotherapy nausea and vomiting: Prevention is best defense. Common side effects of chemotherapy drugs include: Many of these side effects can be prevented or treated. Your team may include the following people: Medical oncologist. This is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. Prepare for your first treatment. Pump: Often attached to catheters or ports, it controls the amount of chemotherapy drugs, and how fast they get into your body. Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells in people with cancer. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, See our safety precautions in response to COVID-19, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, Cancer treatment during COVID-19: How to move ahead safely, Cancer treatment for men: Possible sexual side effects, Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment. Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body.Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body.Many different chemotherapy drugs are available. Most chemotherapy treatments are given in an outpatient clinic, which means most people are able to continue working and doing their usual activities during chemotherapy. It can be used at any stage of an illness if there are troubling symptoms, such as pain or sickness. Occasionally, chemo may be given directly into the spinal fluid which surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Cancer.Net. Chemo can cure many types of early cancer. How does chemotherapy work? Learn about signs of edema, including swelling in your feet, ankles, and legs. Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. The goal of chemo is to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells. Some anticancer agents are taken orally (by mouth). Your nurse inserts the needle and removes it when treatment is done. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). The drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells in most parts of the body. Chemotherapy is sometimes needed to kill any leftover cancer cells. Your doctor may be able to help you manage some of the more severe side effects of chemotherapy. Some chemotherapy side effects are mild and treatable, while others can cause serious complications. What to expect when having chemotherapy. Ask your doctor if you'll need time off work or help around your home after treatment. Ask your doctor for the details of your chemotherapy treatments so that you can make arrangements for work, children, pets or other commitments. It may be helpful to arrive for your first chemotherapy treatment well rested. Allscripts EPSi. Chemotherapy is a widely used class of drugs to treat many different disorders including, but not limited to: cancers, blood disorders, and a … At home, such as when taking chemotherapy pills. All rights reserved. We value your privacy. The other end stays outside your body and is used to deliver chemotherapy or other drugs, or to draw blood. National Cancer Institute. Accessed Oct. 1, 2019. Where you'll receive your chemotherapy treatments depends on your situation. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Your oncologist works with other team members to make your treatment plan. Chemo is medicine used to shrink a tumor or kill cancer cells. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Within a single type of cancer, such as breast cancer, researchers are discovering subtypes that each requires a different treatment approach. It depends on the kind of cancer you have and how far along it is. Accessed Oct. 1, 2019. But it can also affect some fast-growing healthy cells, like those of the skin, hair, intestines, and bone marrow. Palliative treatment is designed to relieve symptoms, and improve your quality of life. https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/chemotherapy/what-expect-when-having-chemotherapy. The truth is chemotherapy isn't only for cancer patients, and affects each patient differently depending on how it is used. Chemo definition, chemotherapy or a chemotherapy treatment. Cells can’t live without DNA and die off when they’re deprived of it. It’s common to feel ill or very tired after chemotherapy. Adjuvant Chemotherapy Late side effects vary depending on the chemotherapy drug but can include: Ask your doctor if you have a risk of any late side effects. Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells anywhere in the body. Medical Definition of chemotherapy : the therapeutic use of chemical agents to treat disease Pyrazinamide is one of the most important drugs in modern chemotherapy of … https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/chemo-and-you. Chemotherapy drugs can be used alone or in combination to treat a wide variety of cancers. This helps attack the cancer in … The needle can be left in place for treatments that last more than a day. Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Chemotherapy is usually systemic treatment, meaning that the drugs flow through the bloodstream to nearly every part of the body. After treatment completion, a period of time is allowed to go by so the maximum effect is achieved, with the tumor shrinking or the malignant cells dying. My 68-year-old husband was diagnosed with lung cancer, had radiation and chemo, and is currently in remission. If a cancer responds to the chemotherapy, meaning it shrinks or vanishes after a person receives the chemo drugs, the cancer is described as "chemosensitive." There are a variety of settings in which chemotherapy may be used in people with cancer: Some chemotherapy drugs have proved useful in treating other conditions, such as: Side effects of chemotherapy drugs can be significant. When is chemotherapy used? Most cancer chemotherapeutic drugs are given IV (into a vein) or IM (into muscle). Chemotherapy drugs can be given in different ways, including: Your doctor determines how often you'll receive chemotherapy treatments based on what drugs you'll receive, the characteristics of your cancer and how well your body recovers after each treatment. They stop cancer cells reproducing, which prevents them from growing and spreading in the body. Chemo … In some cases, people are treated with a single type of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a powerful cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Tell your doctor right away if you feel pain or burning during treatment. Study finds new way to make chemotherapy more effective against pancreatic cancer, Genetically manipulating protein level in colon cancer cells can improve effectiveness of chemotherapy, Mayo Clinic study finds, In the Loop: How fruit flies are helping cancer patients, Alternative chemotherapy offers hope for late-stage cancers, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Chemotherapy drugs can also cause side effects that don't become evident until months or years after treatment. NIH National Cancer Institute: “Radiation Therapy for Cancer,” “Biological Therapies for Cancer,” “Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer.”, National Cancer Society: “What Is Targeted Cancer Therapy?”, OncoLink.org: “Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (IP Chemo).”. For example, a 4-week cycle may be 1 week of treatment and then 3 weeks of rest. Once a cycle has been planned out, it’s better not to skip a treatment, but your doctor may suggest it if side effects are serious. You may get chemo at home, in your healthcare provider's office, in a clinic, or in a hospital. 6th ed. Make sure to read your health insurance policy to find out exactly what it will and won’t pay for, and whether you can go to a doctor that you choose for your chemotherapy treatment. Getting a cancer diagnosis has the potential to completely upend your world. NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms provides easy-to-understand definitions for words and phrases related to cancer and medicine. It usually stays in place until all your treatment cycles are finished. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Since ending his treatment, his personality has … A nurse may insert a needle into your port to give you chemotherapy drugs or draw blood. Chemo can help cure cancer, prevent cancer from spreading, and relieve symptoms caused by cancer. Cancer pharmacology. Though chemotherapy is an effective way to treat many types of cancer, chemotherapy treatment also carries a risk of side effects. With infusion chemo, you go to the hospital for a few hours of … Q. Chemotherapy refers to the use of any drug to treat any disease. Ask your doctor or chemotherapy nurses how to prepare for chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells. Chemotherapy and you: Support for people with cancer. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. In some cases, employers are required by law to adjust your schedule when you have cancer treatment. While “A” doesn’t distinguish between cancer cells and normal cells, it has a greater negative effect on cancer cells since those cells are dividing so rapidly.The “C” part of th… Ask your doctor about the side effects of the particular drugs you'll receive. The prevention or treatment of disease by the administration of drugs; specif., the treatment of cancer by means of a regimen of cytotoxins or other anti-cancer drugs. Most people can drive themselves to and from chemotherapy sessions. Your doctor can tell you in general how much the chemotherapy will affect your usual activities, but it's difficult to predict exactly how you'll feel. The swelling may be caused by chemotherapy, cancer, and conditions not related to cancer. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Chemotherapy (chemo) is a type of treatment that includes a medication or combination of medications to treat cancer. It's important to know that not all medicines and drugs to treat cancer work the same way. Chemotherapy side effects: A cause of heart disease? Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. There are no standards for establishing chemotherapy acronyms so there is a lack of consistency. How you prepare for chemotherapy depends on which drugs you'll receive and how they'll be administered. Chemo is considered a systemic therapy. Also called " chemo " for short. Then your medical team will likely plan a new cycle to help you get back on track. During this time, it may help to get some help with meals and child care, if necessary. It can also be used to reduce or control the side effects of cancer treatments. Many different chemotherapy drugs are available. A social worker may be able to help you learn about what the law allows. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Treatments/Cyclophosphamide-Cytoxan. American College of Rheumatology. Make a donation. It uses certain drugs to kill cancer cells or to stop them from growing and spreading … It may be used to cure cancer, help keep it from spreading, or reduce symptoms. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Chemotherapy treatments can be given: You'll meet with your cancer doctor (oncologist) regularly during chemotherapy treatment. Eating during cancer treatment: Tips to make food tastier, Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy, Infographic: Scalp Cooling Therapy for Cancer, Safe cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. When you are diagnosed with cancer, you will be assigned to a course of treatment. The acronyms listed below are some common chemotherapy regimens, by clicking on the acronym you will be given a list of medications associated with that regimen. That’s what causes some of the side effects from the treatment. Have a friend or family member drive you to your first treatment. Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. There are many different types of chemotherapy medicine, but they all work in a similar way. A list of chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for your chemotherapy treatments. Nov. 25, 2019. On days you don’t feel well, you may want to see if you can work fewer hours or work from home. Depending on your situation, you may also undergo scans and other tests to monitor your cancer during chemotherapy treatment. Edema is a condition in which fluid builds up in your body’s tissues. Curative chemotherapy aims to “cure the cancer,” meaning it is intended to eliminate all cancerous cells, resulting in what doctors call “complete remission.” The majority of patients receiving chemotherapy with the goal of cure are receiving chemotherapy as well as surgery or radiation. Chemotherapy treatment can be continuous, or it may alternate between periods of treatment and periods of rest to let you recover. You should also plan to rest on the day of and the day after treatment. It can shrink a primary tumor, kill cancer cells that may have … Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells anywhere in the body. See our safety precautions in response to COVID-19. Skip Navigation. Cancer Chemotherapy: MedlinePlus Health Topic - English Quimioterapia para el cáncer: Tema de salud de MedlinePlus - español (Spanish) Chemotherapy: using chemicals to kill cancer cells; Radiation therapy: using X-rays to kill cancer cells The same cancer type in one individual is very different from that cancer in another individual. Most side effects subside after treatment ends. Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Your oncologist will ask about any side effects you're experiencing, since many can be controlled. Purpose The main purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. You might wish to eat a light meal beforehand in case your chemotherapy medications cause nausea. The “A” part of this “chemo cocktail” blocks DNA production in your cells, and inhibits the enzymes responsible for repairing DNA. You can prepare for this by getting someone to drive you back and forth from treatment. 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