What is chemotherapy? How to Apply? What are the side effects?
Chemotherapy means "drug (Cytotoxic) treatment" and is the term used for treatment using cancer drugs that mostly affect cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer, the aims, side effects and duration of chemotherapy may vary. Memorial Health Group Medical Oncology experts gave information about chemotherapy treatment, application methods and side effects.
What is chemotherapy?
What is the purpose of chemotherapy?
Is chemotherapy treatment applied other than cancer?
What are the possible side effects of chemotherapy?
How and where is chemotherapy given?
What is the duration and frequency of chemotherapy?
How long does a chemotherapy session last?
How is chemotherapy done? How is it applied?
How do chemotherapy drugs work?
Are any other medications used during chemotherapy?
What should patients receiving chemotherapy pay attention to?
How should patients receiving chemotherapy be fed?
How does chemotherapy affect daily life?
Frequently Asked Questions About Chemotherapy
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy means treating cancer with medication. The drugs used in chemotherapy prevent the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and damage them. Classical chemotherapies can be more effective when used alone or with some drug combinations. Therefore, chemotherapy courses may contain more than one drug.What is the purpose of chemotherapy?
Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, chemotherapy is applied to treat the disease, prevent the spread of the tumor, slow down its growth, kill cancer cells that have spread from the organ where they started to other parts of the body, and improve some symptoms of cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy is the only treatment option. Depending on the stage of the disease, chemotherapy is applied sequentially or simultaneously with other treatments (surgery and radiotherapy). For example, chemotherapy may be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor or to prevent the proliferation and spread of cancerous cells that may remain in the body after surgery. The same practices are valid before and after radiotherapy; chemotherapy can be applied simultaneously with radiotherapy.Is chemotherapy treatment applied other than cancer?
Chemotherapy is applied to treat the disease according to the type and stage of the cancer, to prevent the spread of the tumor, to slow down its growth, to kill cancer cells that have spread from the organ where they started to other parts of the body, and to improve some symptoms of cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy is the only treatment option. Depending on the stage of the disease, chemotherapy is applied sequentially or simultaneously with other treatments (surgery and radiotherapy). For example, chemotherapy may be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor or to prevent the proliferation and spread of cancerous cells that may remain in the body after surgery. The same practices are valid before and after radiotherapy; chemotherapy can be applied simultaneously with radiotherapy.What are the possible side effects of chemotherapy?
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may occur due to chemotherapy. This is due to the fact that some drugs affect the vomiting center in the brain and stomach movements, causing nausea and vomiting. This problem, which can usually be controlled, may require the use of certain medications to prevent or reduce side effects before chemotherapy. Since the effects of medications may vary from person to person, it may be necessary to use more than one medication to relieve side effects. In order for the patient to go through the treatment process in the most comfortable way and to tolerate the side effects, the most appropriate method should be chosen together with the doctor and nurse.In addition to taking anti-nausea medication, the following suggestions can be applied to reduce the feeling of nausea:Sometimes a food or drink that has left a positive impression in the past can reduce or eliminate that feeling. Therefore, if there is a practice that has been found to be beneficial in previous nausea/vomiting experiences, this should be tried first.
The smell of hot food can increase feelings of nausea. Therefore, cold foods, e.g. Foods that can be served at room temperature or cold, such as cold sandwiches, cheese, cottage cheese, and cereals, can be preferred.
A liquid and light diet should be followed to reduce nausea. Since rapid consumption of liquid food may cause a feeling of fullness in the stomach and, as a result, nausea and vomiting, it is appropriate to drink liquids slowly, sip by sip.
May increase the feeling of nausea; Sweet, fatty, very spicy and strong smelling foods should not be consumed.
It is necessary to avoid warnings such as bad smells, people who are nauseous or vomiting, people eating or the environment where food is cooked, as well as sights, sounds and smells that may trigger the feeling of nausea.
Helps reduce the perception of an unpleasant, metallic or drug taste in your mouth during chemotherapy
Chemotherapy means "drug (Cytotoxic) treatment" and is the term used for treatment using cancer drugs that mostly affect cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer, the aims, side effects and duration of chemotherapy may vary. Memorial Health Group Medical Oncology experts gave information about chemotherapy treatment, application methods and side effects.
What is chemotherapy?
What is the purpose of chemotherapy?
Is chemotherapy treatment applied other than cancer?
What are the possible side effects of chemotherapy?
How and where is chemotherapy given?
What is the duration and frequency of chemotherapy?
How long does a chemotherapy session last?
How is chemotherapy done? How is it applied?
How do chemotherapy drugs work?
Are any other medications used during chemotherapy?
What should patients receiving chemotherapy pay attention to?
How should patients receiving chemotherapy be fed?
How does chemotherapy affect daily life?
Frequently Asked Questions About Chemotherapy
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy means treating cancer with medication. The drugs used in chemotherapy prevent the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and damage them. Classical chemotherapies can be more effective when used alone or with some drug combinations. Therefore, chemotherapy courses may contain more than one drug.What is the purpose of chemotherapy?
Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, chemotherapy is applied to treat the disease, prevent the spread of the tumor, slow down its growth, kill cancer cells that have spread from the organ where they started to other parts of the body, and improve some symptoms of cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy is the only treatment option. Depending on the stage of the disease, chemotherapy is applied sequentially or simultaneously with other treatments (surgery and radiotherapy). For example, chemotherapy may be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor or to prevent the proliferation and spread of cancerous cells that may remain in the body after surgery. The same practices are valid before and after radiotherapy; chemotherapy can be applied simultaneously with radiotherapy.Is chemotherapy treatment applied other than cancer?
Chemotherapy is applied to treat the disease according to the type and stage of the cancer, to prevent the spread of the tumor, to slow down its growth, to kill cancer cells that have spread from the organ where they started to other parts of the body, and to improve some symptoms of cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy is the only treatment option. Depending on the stage of the disease, chemotherapy is applied sequentially or simultaneously with other treatments (surgery and radiotherapy). For example, chemotherapy may be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor or to prevent the proliferation and spread of cancerous cells that may remain in the body after surgery. The same practices are valid before and after radiotherapy; chemotherapy can be applied simultaneously with radiotherapy.What are the possible side effects of chemotherapy?
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may occur due to chemotherapy. This is due to the fact that some drugs affect the vomiting center in the brain and stomach movements, causing nausea and vomiting. This problem, which can usually be controlled, may require the use of certain medications to prevent or reduce side effects before chemotherapy. Since the effects of medications may vary from person to person, it may be necessary to use more than one medication to relieve side effects. In order for the patient to go through the treatment process in the most comfortable way and to tolerate the side effects, the most appropriate method should be chosen together with the doctor and nurse.In addition to taking anti-nausea medication, the following suggestions can be applied to reduce the feeling of nausea:Sometimes a food or drink that has left a positive impression in the past can reduce or eliminate that feeling. Therefore, if there is a practice that has been found to be beneficial in previous nausea/vomiting experiences, this should be tried first.
The smell of hot food can increase feelings of nausea. Therefore, cold foods, e.g. Foods that can be served at room temperature or cold, such as cold sandwiches, cheese, cottage cheese, and cereals, can be preferred.
A liquid and light diet should be followed to reduce nausea. Since rapid consumption of liquid food may cause a feeling of fullness in the stomach and, as a result, nausea and vomiting, it is appropriate to drink liquids slowly, sip by sip.
May increase the feeling of nausea; Sweet, fatty, very spicy and strong smelling foods should not be consumed.
It is necessary to avoid warnings such as bad smells, people who are nauseous or vomiting, people eating or the environment where food is cooked, as well as sights, sounds and smells that may trigger the feeling of nausea.
Helps reduce the perception of an unpleasant, metallic or drug taste in your mouth during chemotherapy
