Chemotherapy. What is chemotherapy and how does it work?

Method consisting in the application of drugs to fight the cells that form cancer tumors, the chemotherapy can also be called anticancer chemotherapy or antiblastic chemotherapy. It is important to emphasize that the application of several drugs in the bloodstream during chemotherapy is essential for the treatment, as in this way, each drug acts at different stages of tumor growth, fighting it and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body.

Depending on the case and the stage of the tumor, chemotherapy may be the only treatment prescribed, but it may also be associated with other types of treatment, such as radiotherapy and/or surgery. The duration of treatment depends on the type of cancer and the stage at which the disease is. During chemotherapy treatment, the patient can maintain their daily routine normally.

THE chemotherapy is a type of treatment that can be done in different ways:

  • Orally: through tablets, capsules and liquids;
  • Intravenously: drugs are applied in the vein through catheters, injections or mixed with serum;
  • Intramuscular route: injections are given into the patient's muscle;
  • subcutaneously: Medicines are given through injections under the skin;
  • intracranial route: The drug injections are given by a nurse or doctor into the spinal fluid. It's a little-used method;
  • Topical use: Medicines are applied in the form of liquid or ointment in places where there are lesions.

Patients who do chemotherapy may have some Side effects, like:

  • Hair loss and other body hair;
  • Weakness;
  • Diarrhea;
  • Weight loss or gain;
  • Mouth ulcers;
  • Nausea and vomiting;
  • Dizziness.

During treatment with the chemotherapy, some questions may arise, such as:

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  • Can I take other medications during chemotherapy?

Any and all health problems that lead to the ingestion of other medications must be informed to the doctor.

  • Can the patient treated with chemotherapy drink alcoholic beverages?

The ingestion of alcoholic beverages is allowed as long as it is in small quantities, and there may not be any beverage ingestion alcohol days before or after chemotherapy applications and if the patient is taking other medications prescribed by the physician.

  • Why do some women experience changes in menstrual flow during chemotherapy?

Sometimes women may experience an increase, decrease or even a missed period. In any of these cases the physician must be notified.

  • Can I have any type of dental treatment while I am having chemotherapy?

Any type of dental treatment can only be done under medical authorization.

  • Can the patient who undergoes chemotherapy applications have sexual intercourse?

Yes. Chemotherapy does not cause sexual impotence, and what can lead the patient to not have intercourse is linked to the emotional and not the physical part. The woman needs to be careful not to get pregnant, as chemotherapy drugs can cause malformations in the fetus.

The patient undergoing treatment who has fever for more than two hours, has red spots all over the body, pain or burning when urinating, pain throughout the body non-existent before treatment, bleeding that does not stop, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and diarrhea for more than two days, you should seek the hospital immediately.


By Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology

Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:

MORAES, Paula Louredo. "Chemotherapy"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/quimioterapia.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.

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