Chemotherapy is one of the adopted medical treatment performed at ORCI which is administered through drips that uses powerful chemicals to destroy rapid growing cells in the body. Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply quickly than most other cells in the body. Different chemotherapy drugs are available and can be used alone or in combination to treat a wide variety of cancers.
Although chemotherapy is among effective technique to treat different types of cancer, chemotherapy treatment likewise carries a likelihood of side effects. Nearly most of the chemotherapy side effects are minor and curable, while some results in severe complications. Among of the side effects occurring with chemotherapy treatment are; Vomiting, Nausea, Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Fever, Pain, Constipation, Fatigue, Mouth sores, Hair loss and Easy bruising
Most of the side effects are preventable and can be treated and lessen after treatment ends.
Chemotherapy is a preferred to treat cancer because;
- Chemotherapy chemicals destroys cancer cells.
- It can be used alone without any combination to other treatment procedures.
- After other treatments, to kill hidden cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used after other treatments, such as surgery, to kill any cancer cells that might remain in the body. Doctors call this adjuvant therapy.
- To prepare you for other treatments. Chemotherapy can be used to shrink a tumor so that other treatments, such as radiation and surgery, are possible. Doctors call this neoadjuvant therapy.
- To ease signs and symptoms. Chemotherapy may help relieve signs and symptoms of cancer by killing some of the cancer cells. Doctors call this palliative chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy for conditions other than cancer
- Some chemotherapy drugs have proved useful in treating other conditions, such as:
- Bone marrow diseases. Diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood cells may be treated with a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant. Chemotherapy is often used to prepare for a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant.
- Immune system disorders. Lower doses of chemotherapy drugs can help control an overactive immune system in certain diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.