Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Chemotherapy?How Does It Work?Types of ChemoWhat Happens During Chemotherapy?The Ways Patients Can Receive ChemoHow Long Does Chemo Last?Long- and Short-Term SymptomsWhat to Expect AfterwardFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Chemotherapy?
How Does It Work?
Types of Chemo
What Happens During Chemotherapy?
The Ways Patients Can Receive Chemo
How Long Does Chemo Last?
Long- and Short-Term Symptoms
What to Expect Afterward
Frequently Asked Questions
When you are startingchemotherapy, your healthcare provider will explain the drug being used, the length of your treatment, and which side effects may occur. This treatment is usually given in regular cycles. Throughout these cycles, you will receive either one chemotherapy drug or a combination with other chemotherapies or treatment types.
Here’s what you need to know about what happens during chemotherapy.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses chemicals to attack and kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is considered a systemic treatment because the medication travels throughout your body. This is different from surgery that affects one specific area of the body.
Because chemotherapy affects the entire body, it is able to treat the primary cancerous tumor, as well as any metastases throughout the body.
Chemotherapy is also capable of damaging cells in the heart, kidneys, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. The goal with chemotherapy treatment is always to find the minimum dose to effectively kill cancer cells while sparing as many healthy cells as possible. Fortunately, normal cells can recover from the effects of chemotherapy. Cancer cells, on the other hand, cannot.
Types of Chemotherapy
There are several differentforms of chemotherapy, including:
Other types of cancer treatments include:
How Chemo Cures Cancer
There are three goals of chemotherapy: cure, control, and provide palliative care.
The first goal of chemotherapy is always to cure cancer. This is possible when chemotherapy effectively kills all of the cancer cells in the body and prevents them from coming back. However, a cure is not always possible.
How It Controls Cancer
The next goal of chemotherapy is to control cancer. Chemo may be used to shrink tumors or stop cancer cells fromspreadingin order to provide a longer and better quality of life. Once cancer cells have been controlled, then cancer can be managed and treated like a chronic health condition, similar to heart disease.
Finally, the last goal of chemotherapy is to provide palliative care. In cases ofadvanced cancer, chemo may be used to provide better pain control and comfort. This is possible when chemotherapy shrinks a large tumor to relieve pain or shortness of breath.
During a chemotherapy appointment, your healthcare provider will explain the drug being used, how long treatment will last, and which side effects may occur.
Chemotherapy drugs can also cause harm to anyone who handles them or comes in contact with them. The health provider who administers your treatment will likely wear protective clothing and goggles or a face shield.
Your treatment plan may include one chemotherapy drug, but more likely, the plan will include a combination of medications. This is referred to as combination chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy may also be combined with other treatment types like surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies.
How Do I Know What Type I Need?The type of chemotherapy chosen for your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including your type of cancer, how advanced it is, your age and overall health, and the other types of cancer treatment you are receiving.
How Do I Know What Type I Need?
The type of chemotherapy chosen for your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including your type of cancer, how advanced it is, your age and overall health, and the other types of cancer treatment you are receiving.
If the dose or type of drug that you are receiving causes significant side effects, your doctor will work with you to adjust your treatment plan. This may include trying a new drug.
During a chemotherapy appointment, you will receive chemotherapy from a healthcare provider. It is also possible to take oral chemotherapy at home.
Methods of chemotherapy administration include:
Depending on the type of chemo given, you may receive your treatment in an outpatient clinic, hospital, doctor’s office, infusion center, or your home.
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
Yourtreatment schedulewill depend on your type of cancer, how advanced it is, and how well your body is responding to treatment. Chemotherapy treatments may be given daily, weekly, or monthly. Most treatments require recovery time afterward.
Ask your medical team how to best prepare for your first chemotherapy appointment. It could take several hours, so make a plan to eat a light meal or snack before you go. Ask your doctor if there is any reason that you should avoid food before treatment.
Long- and Short-Term Symptoms of Chemotherapy
It’s helpful to remember that while there is a long list ofpossible side effects, you may experience very few. Each person is different, and your chemotherapy regimen will be unique to you.
Many chemotherapy side effects resolve quickly. However, some are long term and may last for months or even years. Occasionally, the side effects from chemotherapy are permanent. Possible permanent complications include heart damage, lung damage, kidney damage, and infertility.
According to the American Cancer Society, the most common side effects of chemotherapy are:
What to Expect After Chemotherapy
You may experience side effects after receiving chemotherapy. It’s important to stay in close contact with your medical team during and after chemotherapy treatment cycles.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor right away:
Safety Precautions
Any time you receive chemotherapy, it will be excreted in your urine and stool. This means that you and anyone else who comes in contact with your bodily fluids must take precautions.
It takes about 48 to 72 hours for your body to break down chemotherapy after treatment.During this time, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself and anyone else in your household.
Because chemotherapy will be present in your bodily fluids, it’s best to use a separate bathroom from the rest of your family. This is not always possible.
After using the restroom, flush the toilet twice and then keep the lid closed when not in use. If you vomit into the toilet, flush twice and wipe away any splashes. Wash your hands after using the bathroom or coming in contact with any of your bodily fluids.
If you have a home health nurse or a family member caring for you, they should wear two pairs of gloves any time they handle your bodily fluids, and then thoroughly wash their hands with warm water.
Any clothing items or bed linens with bodily fluids on them must be washed right away. If that is not possible, keep them sealed in two plastic bags.
After chemotherapy, you may experience short-term side effects, long-term side effects, or both. For the first 48 to 72 hours after treatment, take special precautions to protect yourself and your family members.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
If you have received chemotherapy as part of your cancer treatment, you are well aware of both the benefits as well as the drawbacks. Undergoing a round of chemotherapy is exhausting, so seek out support where you can. Talk with your doctor if you experience side effects, and never hesitate to ask questions.
The length of your treatment will depend on several factors, including your type of cancer, how advanced it is, your overall health, and how your body is responding to the current treatment. There is no set time limit on chemotherapy treatment. Talk with your medical team about the right treatment schedule for you.
Between your chemotherapy appointments, you will continue to see your medical team and undergo testing to determine if the current treatment is effective. The time between your appointments is also a time to rest and allow your body to recover from the treatment. If you plan to continue working throughout your chemotherapy treatment, talk with your medical team about what to expect and how best to adjust your workload based on your treatment plan and prognosis.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy side effects.American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy safety.American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?American Cancer Society.Getting oral or topical chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy side effects.American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy safety.American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?American Cancer Society.Getting oral or topical chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy side effects.American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy safety.American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?American Cancer Society.Getting oral or topical chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy side effects.
American Cancer Society.How chemotherapy drugs work.
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy safety.
American Cancer Society.How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?
American Cancer Society.Getting oral or topical chemotherapy.
American Cancer Society.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.
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