Chemotherapy Effects

Chemotherapy as the drug-based cancer treatment involves the elimination of the disease by stopping cancer cells from division. Cancer cells divide at an accelerated rate and therefore need to be attacked powerfully in order to stop the invasion. Unfortunately, chemotherapy destroys other cells that have a rapid division process which is normal for the body functions; this is the case with the cells in the digestive tract, hair follicles and bone marrow. Hence, these are the anatomical elements most affected by chemotherapy effects. The most frequent adverse reactions that occur during and after chemotherapy include myelosuppresion decrease in the production of blood cells, mucositis inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, and alopecia hair loss.

Chemotherapy effects or side effects can be classified according to the extent of the adverse reactions into long and short term categories. Side effects of chemotherapy represent unwanted symptoms which occur as a direct result of taking a drug. It is not difficult to confuse drug side effects with cancer symptoms. Symptoms characterize the disease in fact, while the side effects represent natural adverse reactions to a powerful external invasion in the body. Side effects vary depending on the type of drugs used in the treatment, with the mention that one single form of medication will not trigger all the possible adverse reactions in a patient.

Generally speaking, chemotherapy harms those cells with a faster division. Chemotherapy will thus affect the bone marrow responsible for blood cells production, the mouth, the intestines, the skin and the hair. Since hair is growing all the time, the skin is constantly renewing itself and the lining of the digestive system and the mouth have the same dynamics, then, the cells of all these body tissues must constantly divide to produce a steady supply of new cells. And, unfortunately, it is due to this division process that the chemotherapy drugs attack proper functioning body parts.

Chemotherapy effects and adverse reactions also vary from one patient to another. The way one goes through chemotherapy therefore differs immensely, depending on some factors specific to every case. These elements include the period of drug administration, the dose or amount of drug, how the drug is administered, the patients overall health condition, as well as the combined use of chemotherapy medication and other remedies. Some chemotherapy effects represent serious medical conditions which require professional help; others, although bothersome, are not necessarily a major threat to the patients health. It is also important to discuss the effects of chemotherapy with the doctor and the contact person at the treating center where the patient is given the treatment.

Filed Under: Chemotherapy