When it comes to cancer treatment, “chemotherapy” is probably a treatment method we often hear about. However, many people may not know what chemotherapy is, how it treats cancer, why chemotherapy is necessary, and why some patients experience side effects such as hair loss after treatment. Let’s understand cancer treatment with chemotherapy together.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. Chemotherapy drugs work by destroying or inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. There are many types of chemotherapy drugs used in treatment. Sometimes doctors may consider using only one drug, but often two or more drugs are given simultaneously to patients. This method is called “combination therapy.” The type and number of drugs a patient receives depend on the organ where cancer cells are found, the stage or severity of the disease, the type of cancer cells, special staining test results, and the spread of cancer cells to other organs in the body.
Why is chemotherapy given?
Chemotherapy is given for several purposes as follows:
- For treatment: Some types of cancer can be treated with chemotherapy alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, or what is also called radiotherapy.
- For control: Chemotherapy can be given before or along with other treatments to prevent cancer from spreading, slow down cell growth, and kill cancer cells that may have already spread elsewhere.
- For palliative care: This treatment focuses on symptom relief, especially for individuals whose cancer has spread but want to maintain quality of life. For example, chemotherapy may be used to relieve pain caused by cancer or stop the spread of cancer to other organs.
Are the side effects of chemotherapy scary?
Chemotherapy can stop the growth and multiplication of cancer cells. The drugs reach cancer cells through the bloodstream, which also affects normal cells that multiply rapidly, such as hair follicle cells, the lining of the mouth, or blood cells. This may cause damage to normal cells, such as mouth sores, hair loss, or loss of appetite. However, there are ways to manage these side effects, and most side effects are temporary and will return to normal after treatment.
