Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a form of treatment that uses drugs capable of eliminating or blocking the growth of cancer cells. These drugs, which can be taken orally or injectable, are carried through the bloodstream to all parts of the body and end up reaching not only cancer cells, but also healthy cells in the body, especially those that multiply more frequently, such as those of the digestive tract, hair follicles and blood.

Thus, it is common for side effects to arise in people who undergo this type of treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weakness, anemia, constipation, diarrhea or mouth injuries, for example, which usually last for days, weeks or months. However, not all chemotherapies are the same, with a wide variety of drugs used, which can cause more or less effects on the body.

The type of medicine is decided by the oncologist, after assessing the type of cancer, the stage of the disease and the clinical conditions of each person, and some examples include drugs such as Cyclophosphamide, Docetaxel or Doxorubicin, which many may know as white chemotherapy or red chemotherapy, for example, and which we will explain further below.

Main side effects

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of medication, the dose used and the response of each person's body, and in most cases they last for a few days or weeks, disappearing when the treatment cycle ends. Some of the most common side effects include:

• Hair loss and other body hair; Nausea and vomiting; Dizziness and weakness; Constipation or diarrhea and excessive gas; Lack of appetite; Mouth sores; Changes in menstruation; Brittle and dark nails; Stains or color changes skin; Bleeding; Recurrent infections; Anemia; Decreased sexual desire; Anxiety and mood swings, such as sadness, melancholy and irritability.

In addition to these, long-term side effects of chemotherapy are possible, which can last for months, years or even be permanent, such as changes in the reproductive organs, changes in the heart, lungs, liver and nervous system, for example, but it is important remember that side effects are not manifested in the same way in all patients.

How chemotherapy is done

To perform chemotherapy there are more than 100 types of drugs used, either in tablet, orally, or injectable, which can be through the vein, intramuscularly, below the skin and inside the backbone, for example. In addition, to facilitate doses in the vein, a catheter, called intracath, can be implanted, which is fixed to the skin and prevents repeated bites.

Depending on the type of medication used to treat cancer, doses can be daily, weekly or every 2 to 3 weeks, for example. This treatment is usually done in cycles, which usually last a few weeks, followed by a period of rest to allow the body to recover and to make further assessments.

Differences between white and red chemotherapy

Popularly, some people talk about differences between white and red chemotherapy, according to the color of the drug. However, this differentiation is not adequate, as there are many types of drugs used for chemotherapy, which cannot be determined by color alone.

In general, as an example of white chemotherapy, there is the group of medicines called taxanes, such as Paclitaxel or Docetaxel, which are used to treat various types of cancer, such as breast or lung cancer, and cause inflammation as a common side effect. mucous membranes and a decrease in the body's defense cells.

As an example of red chemotherapy, we can mention the group of Anthracyclines, such as Doxorubicin and Epirubicin, used to treat several types of cancer in adults and children, such as acute leukemia, breast cancer, ovaries, kidneys and thyroid, for example, and some of the side effects caused are nausea, hair loss, abdominal pain, as well as being toxic to the heart.

Chemotherapy Frequently Asked Questions

The realization of a chemotherapy can bring many doubts and insecurities. We try to clarify here some of the most common ones:

1. What type of chemotherapy will I have?

There are numerous protocols or chemotherapy regimens, which are prescribed by the oncologist according to the type of cancer, the severity or stage of the disease and the clinical conditions of each person. There are schemes with daily, weekly or every 2 or 3 weeks, which are done in cycles.

In addition, it is important to remember that there are other treatments that can be associated with chemotherapy, such as tumor removal surgery, or radiation therapy, procedures that use radiation emitted by a device to eliminate or reduce the size of the tumor.

Thus, chemotherapy can also be divided between:

• Curative, when it alone is capable of curing cancer; Adjuvant or Neoadjuvant, when done before or after surgery to remove the tumor or radiotherapy, as a way to complement the treatment and seek to eliminate the tumor more effectively; Palliative, when it has no curative purpose, but acts as a way to prolong life or improve the quality of life of the person with cancer.

It is important to remember that all people who are undergoing cancer treatment, including those who can no longer achieve a cure, deserve treatment to have a dignified quality of life, which includes the control of physical, psychological and social symptoms, in addition to other actions. This very important treatment is called palliative care, learn more about it in what are palliative care and who should receive it.

2. Will my hair always fall out?

There will not always be hair loss and hair loss, as it depends on the type of chemotherapy used, however, it is a very common side effect. Generally, the hair loss occurs about 2 to 3 weeks after the beginning of the treatment, and it usually happens little by little or in locks.

It is possible to minimize this effect with the use of a thermal cap to cool the scalp, as this technique can reduce the blood flow to the hair follicles, reducing the uptake of the medication in this region. In addition, it is always possible to wear a hat, scarf or wig which helps to overcome the inconvenience of going bald.

It is also very important to remember that the hair regrow after the end of the treatment.

3. Will I feel pain?

Chemotherapy itself does not usually cause pain, except for the discomfort caused by the bite or a burning sensation when applying the product. Excessive pain or burning should not happen, so it is important to notify the doctor or nurse if this happens.

4. Will my diet change?

It is recommended that the patient undergoing chemotherapy prefer a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, seeds and whole grains, giving preference to natural foods over industrialized and organic foods, as they do not have chemical additives.

Vegetables should be well washed and disinfected, and only in some cases where there is an excessive drop in immunity will the doctor recommend not eating raw food for a period.

In addition, it is necessary to avoid meals rich in fat and sugar immediately before or after treatment, as nausea and vomiting are frequent, and to reduce these symptoms the doctor may recommend the use of medications, such as Metoclopramide. See other tips on food in what to eat to lessen the side effects of chemotherapy.

5. Will I be able to maintain an intimate life?

It is possible that there will be changes in intimate life, as there may be a decrease in sexual desire and a decrease in disposition, but there are no contraindications for intimate contact.

However, it is very important to remember the use of condoms to avoid not only sexually transmitted infections during this period, but especially to avoid pregnancy, as chemotherapy can cause changes in the baby's development.