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Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
It is also called "chemo." Today, there are many different kinds of chemotherapy. So the way
you feel during treatment may be very different from someone else.
Chemotherapy can be used to:
- Destroy cancer cells
- Stop cancer cells from spreading
- Slow the growth of cancer cells
Chemotherapy can be given alone or with other treatments. It can
help other treatments work better. For example, you may get
chemotherapy before or after surgery or radiation therapy. Or you may
get chemotherapy before a peripheral blood stem cell transplant.
| Check
with your doctor or nurse before you take any medicine, vitamins, or
herbs. Some of these can change the way chemotherapy works. |
Chemotherapy can be given in these forms:
- An IV (intravenously)
- A shot (injection) into a muscle or other part of your body
- A pill or a liquid that you swallow
- A cream that is rubbed on your skin
- Other ways
You may get treatment every day, every week, or every month. The
treatment period is followed by a period of rest when you won't get
chemotherapy. This rest period gives your body
a chance to build healthy new cells.
Your doctor or nurse will talk with you about your treatment schedule. Ask for a written copy of it, as well.
Each person and treatment is different, so it is not always possible
to tell how you will feel. Some people feel well enough to keep their
normal schedules at home or at work. Others feel more tired.
Today many side effects can be prevented or controlled. Talk with
your doctor or nurse to learn what side effects you may have and how
to manage them.
Source information:
The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov)
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