Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy

if you have cancer [your] doctor may recommend Chemotherapy as part of your treatment The Cell’s Nucleus controls this process Inside each nucleus genetic material called Dna contains the instructions for directing this process sometimes the cells Dna becomes damaged Normally the DNa responds by either repairing itself or instructing the cell to die in cancer however the parts of the cells Dna that [directs] cell division become damaged
When these sections are damaged the DnA is unable to repair itself or cause the cell to die Instead the unrepaired Dna causes the cell to grow and divide uncontrollably into more damaged cells called cancer cells a tumor forms as the cancer cells multiply and displace the normal cells As the tumor enlarges it develops its own blood supply Since cancer cells do not stick together as well as normal cells.
They may break away and enter a nearby blood vessel Cancer cells in blood vessels may travel to other areas of your body and form additional tumors. This is called Metastasis additional tumors may form in areas such as the lungs liver and bones Another way cancer may spread to other areas of your body is through your lymphatic system cancer cells may enter Lymph vessels near the tumor
Then travel to small glands called Lymph nodes if the cells pass through the nodes They may continue to travel through your lymphatic system and form additional tumors Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting fast-growing and reproducing cells [a] characteristic common to cancer cells The tumor Shrinks as the cells stop dividing and die most chemotherapy drugs work systemically as they travel throughout your body in your bloodstream as they circulate the drugs damaged metastatic cancer cells in other organs unfortunately chemotherapy drugs cannot tell the difference between Fast-growing normal cells and cancer cells as a result these drugs also damage
Or irritate some of your fast-growing normal cells such as those in your bone marrow digestive system and Hair follicles Death Irritation or damage to these normal cells produces [side-effects] such [as] a weakened immune system Nausea and Hair loss the goal of Chemotherapy is to reduce or eliminate cancer cells in the original tumor and any sites of Metastasis In addition to being a primary cancer treatment doctors often use chemotherapy as a secondary treatment before during or after other primary cancer treatments such as [radiation] therapy or surgical excision of a tumor
Depending on the location and type of [cancer] you may receive chemotherapy drugs intended to circulate throughout your body including pills capsules or liquids taken orally and Intravenous or intramuscular injections Alternatively you may receive drugs delivered only to the area of the tumor One local method delivers drugs to your bladder or chest through narrow Tubes called Catheters
Another local method injects drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal Cord A third local method places slowly dissolving wafers into an area where a tumor was removed In most cases you will receive a number of different chemotherapy drugs to increase their effectiveness [you] may receive many chemotherapy treatments spread out over a period of weeks or months?
This allows your body to recover between treatments and to kill as many cancer cells as possible common side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss nausea decreased appetite fatigue anemia bruising and diarrhea It is important to rest Eat Nutritious foods and take medications prescribed by your doctor to reduce or minimize these side-effects