Chemotherapy is a cancer-fighting treatment that uses medications, called chemotherapy, capable of eliminating or blocking the growth of tumor cells.
Chemotherapy can be applied in various ways, most of them by the vein or oral route, affecting the tumor cells in multiplication. However, they also affect all the cells in the body and therefore side effects arise, such as hair loss or anemia, for example.
Chemotherapy is indicated by the oncologist, oncopediatrician or oncological hematologist, using different remedies and treatment protocols according to the type and stage of cancer.
When it is indicated
Chemotherapy is indicated for the treatment of cancer, such as breast, prostate, lung, colorectal or head and neck cancer, for example.
This type of treatment uses chemotherapy drugs that act in specific stages of cell division, which causes the death of tumor cells, preventing their multiplication.
The type of chemotherapy, as well as the chemotherapy used, is indicated by the clinical oncologist, cancer hematologist or oncopediatric, according to the type of tumor and its stage.
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How it is made
Chemotherapy is usually given in the hospital or in oncology clinics and can be done in different ways:
- Avenous chemotherapy: it is done with the application of chemotherapy directly in the vein, diluted in serum, through a peripheral catheter or fully implanted catheter, called portacath ;
- Intra-arterial chemotherapy: made with the application of the chemotherapeutic, usually in higher concentrations, directly in an artery, such as the femoral, carotid, brachial or hepatic arteries;
- Intramuscular chemotherapy: chemotherapeutic therapy is applied directly to the muscle by the nurse;
- Subcutaneous chemotherapy: made with the injection of the chemotherapy under the skin, by the nurse;
- Oral chemotherapy: made with the use of chemotherapeutic drugs in the form of tablets to be taken by mouth;
- Topical chemotherapy: made with the application of chemotherapy in the form of creams or ointments on the skin;
- Intrathecal chemotherapy: made with the application of chemotherapeutic drugs, such as citationabin and methotrexate, directly in the intrathecal space in the spine by the doctor;
- Intraperitoneal chemotherapy: it is applied through a catheter directly inside the abdominal cavity, with the chemotherapy heated, being done in the operating room by the doctor.
The type of application of chemotherapy varies according to the type of tumor to be treated, and treatment may be associated with other drugs, such as target therapy, immunotherapy or with radiotherapy, for example.
In addition, before applying chemotherapy, remedies such as ondansetron, ranitidine and dexamethasone are usually applied to control nausea, vomiting or avoiding allergic reactions.
Read also: Radiotherapy: what it is, what it is for and side effect
What is the time of chemotherapy?
The time of chemotherapy varies according to the chemotherapy drugs that are being applied, as well as the route of administration, and can vary from a few minutes to hours.
Generally, chemotherapy is done in cycles of 7, 15, 21 or 28 days, followed by a rest period to allow the body to recover.
In addition, doses of chemotherapy may be daily, weekly or every 2 to 3 weeks, for example, by the time of treatment indicated by the doctor, according to the type and stage of the tumor.
Chemotherapy Causes Pain?
Chemotherapy itself does not usually cause pain except discomfort caused by the bite or a burning by applying the product.
Excessive pain or burning should not happen, so it is important to warn the doctor or nurse if this happens.
Types of chemotherapy
There are different types of chemotherapy that can be indicated by the doctor, the main ones being:
1. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a type of chemotherapy done before the main treatment for cancer, which is usually surgery to remove the tumor.
This type of treatment may aim to reduce the size of the tumor before surgery to facilitate its removal or to make a tumor that could not be operated on an operable tumor, or to allow more conservative surgery in the case of breast cancer.
It also serves to eliminate microscopic tumor cells and increase the chances of cancer control and elimination.
2. Adjuvant chemotherapy
Adjuvant chemotherapy is done after surgery to remove the tumor, in order to eliminate possible tumor cells that have remained and/or prevent the tumor from returning.
3. Chemotherapy curative
Curing chemotherapy is a type of chemotherapy that aims to cure cancer, called complete remission, and prevent the tumor from coming back.
4. Palical chemotherapy
Pallitive chemotherapy is not intended to cure, being done with the objective of controlling tumor growth in the most advanced cases of the disease, and improving the quality and life expectancy.
Read also: Palliative Care: What They Are, What They Are For And Types
5. Rescue chemotherapy
Rescue chemotherapy is a chemotherapy treatment done in cases where the person has already done a chemotherapy protocol previously, but the tumor has returned, that is, it has recurrence.
White or red chemotherapy: what is the difference?
Popularly, some people talk about differences between white and red chemotherapy, according to the color of the drug.
However, this differentiation is not adequate, since there are many types of chemotherapy used for chemotherapy, which cannot be determined by color alone.
Generally speaking, as an example of white chemotherapy, some remedies are 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel or docetaxel, for example.
As an example of red chemotherapy, we can cite the group of anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin, daunorrubicin and epirubicin.
The main side effects
The most common side effects of chemotherapy are:
- Hair and other hair loss of body hair;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Dizziness and weakness;
- Constipation or diarrhea and excess gas;
- A lack of appetite;
- Wounds in the mouth or anus;
- Changes in menstruation;
- brittle and dark nails;
- Spots or changes in skin color;
- Feeling of tingling, numbness, burning or shocks in the hands or feet;
- Bleeding;
- Low immunity and recurrent infections;
- Anemia;
- Decrease in sexual desire.
In addition, there may be long-term side effects of chemotherapy, which can last months, years, or even be permanent, such as changes in reproductive organs, cardiac, lung, liver and nervous system, for example.
Why do they happen?
The side effects of chemotherapy can happen because chemotherapy drugs act on the dividing cells in the body, that is, in addition to affecting tumor cells that usually have rapid and accelerated multiplication, also act healthy cells of the body that multiply more often.
In this way, the most affected healthy cells are those of the digestive tract, hair follicles and blood, and therefore side effects arise, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weakness, anemia, constipation, diarrhea or mouth injuries, for example.
However, the side effects of chemotherapy vary depending on the type of medicine, the dose used and the body’s response of each person, and in most cases last a few days or weeks, disappearing when the treatment cycle ends.
Will my hair always fall?
There will not always be a hair and hair loss, as it depends on the type of chemotherapy used.
Usually, the fall of the strands occur about 2 to 3 weeks after the beginning of the treatment, and usually happens little by little or in strands and grow back after the end of treatment.
It is possible to minimize this effect with the use of a thermal cap for scalp cooling, since this technique can reduce the flow of blood to the hair follicles, reducing the collection of the drug in this region.
In addition, it is always possible to wear a hat, scarf or wig, which helps to overcome the hassle of being bald.
Care during the chemotherapy
During chemotherapy it is important to take some care such as:
1. Food
Feeding during chemotherapy should be rich in fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, seeds and whole grains, giving preference to natural foods because they have no chemical additives.
In addition, it is recommended to eat in small portions at smaller intervals, and warmer foods, to avoid nausea and vomiting, and keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of filtered water.
It is also important to sanitize and disinfect food properly, and avoid raw foods, since excessive decreases in immunity can occur, which increases the risk of infections. See other food care during chemotherapy.
2. Use of remedies
During chemotherapy, the doctor may indicate the use of antiemetic drugs, such as metoclopramide or ondansetron, for example to relieve nausea and vomiting.
In addition, filgrastim injections can be applied in some cases to increase the production of blood cells and prevent infections.
The use of pharmacy remedies, herbal medicines, teas or natural products should only be done with medical guidance, as many can interfere with the effect of chemotherapy, reducing its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
3. Vacination .
Vaccination during chemotherapy should only be done with indication of the oncologist, oncopediatrician or oncological hematologist, since not all vaccines are recommended.
Generally, vaccines that may be indicated are those with viruses or bacteria that are inactivated or that have fragments of these microorganisms, as attenuated vaccines can lead to the emergence of serious infections.
4. Intimate life
It is possible that there are changes in the intimate life, since there may be a decrease in sexual desire and decreased disposition, but there are no contraindications for intimate contact.
However, it is very important to remember the use of condoms to avoid not only sexually transmitted infections in this period, but above all to avoid pregnancy, since chemotherapy can cause changes in the development of the baby.
In addition, the use of internal tampons, vaginal douches, enemas, rectal thermometer or anal intimate contact should be avoided.
5. Oral hygiene
During chemotherapy treatment, oral hygiene care is very important to prevent infections.
In this way, it is recommended to floss daily and brush your teeth at least 3 times a day, with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
In addition, it is recommended to observe daily if there are bleeding gums, white plaques or redness in the mouth, change toothbrushes every 3 months, not use mouthwash with alcohol and consult the dentist regularly.
If you need some dental treatment, you should communicate to the dentist that you are having chemotherapy.
6. Conviviality with other people
Conviviality with other people is not contraindicated during chemotherapy, however, care should be taken not to have contact with sick people with infections, since the immune system is weakened during chemotherapy.
In addition, it is recommended to avoid places with many people or very closed environments and wear protective mask if necessary
It is also important to wash your hands frequently, with neutral or antibacterial soap and water, pass alcohol gel in your hands, and avoid touching surfaces and carrying your hands in your eyes, mouth or nose.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to consult the oncologist, oncopediatrac or oncological hematologist or immediately go to the emergency room if symptoms such as:
- Fever or chills;
- headache, ear, throat or abdominal;
- Diarrhea or intense vomiting;
- Blood in the feces or urine;
- pain or burning when urinating;
- Persistent cough;
- Wounds or candidiasis in the mouth, throat or genital region;
- Redness in the skin;
- Mal is generally.
In addition, medical help should also be sought if easy bleeding or bruises arise in the body, blisters on the skin or pain or redness at the site of chemotherapy.
