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What are the worst side effects of chemotherapy?
- Infection and a weakened immune system. Cancer and the treatment of it can weaken the immune system.
- Bruising and bleeding more easily. Chemotherapy can cause a person to bruise or bleed more easily.
- Hair loss.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Neuropathy.
- Constipation and diarrhea.
- Rash.
- Mouth sores.
What exactly does chemotherapy do?
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment where medicine is used to kill cancer cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy medicine, but they all work in a similar way. They stop cancer cells reproducing, which prevents them from growing and spreading in the body.
Is chemotherapy really painful?
The actual chemotherapy process is usually painless. Some chemo drugs may cause a slight burning as they enter your vein, but this is usually minor and tends to ease as the infusion progresses.
How much painful is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a drug-based treatment for cancer. It’s commonly administered intravenously, although some chemotherapy drugs are injected or taken orally. While this treatment may cause discomfort, it isn’t typically painful. Pain caused by nerve damage is a potential short-term effect of chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy side effects?
What are common side effects of chemo?
- Fatigue.
- Hair loss.
- Easy bruising and bleeding.
- Infection.
- Anemia (low red blood cell counts)
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Appetite changes.
- Constipation.
How long is chemo treatment?
Average length of chemotherapy One course of chemo treatment may last between 3 to 6 months. Typically, one course consists of several on-and-off cycles. One cycle usually lasts 2 to 6 weeks. Within each cycle, there are multiple treatment sessions.
What is chemo side effects?
Does chemotherapy do more harm than good?
Chemotherapy Can Cause More Harm than Good to Cancer Patients. The use of Chemotherapy among cancer patients has become extremely common as it is used as a first choice treatment for all, regardless the types of cancer or its stage. However, scientists warn against the use of Chemotherapy for it might do more harm than good to the cancer patients.
What actually happens in chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy works against cancer by killing fast-growing cancer cells . Chemotherapy (also called chemo) is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells , which grow and divide quickly. Chemotherapy is used to:
Does chemotherapy really work?
It targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do. Unlike radiation or surgery, which target specific areas, chemo can work throughout your body. But it can also affect some fast-growing healthy cells, like those of the skin, hair, intestines, and bone marrow. That’s what causes some of the side effects from the treatment.
What should you expect after chemotherapy?
What to Expect After Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves routinely putting strong drugs in your body to kill cancer cells. After each session, you may find yourself feeling fatigued and sore in addition to lacking an appetite, feeling nauseated, or having an upset stomach and diarrhea.