Chemotherapy means treatment with medicines or chemicals. Today, the term
“chemotherapy” has come to refer specifically to treating cancer with drugs.
The goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer
cells. There are many different chemotherapy drugs. They work in different
ways and cause different side effects. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy,
which means the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.
Because some drugs work better in combination with another drug,
chemotherapy often consists of more than one drug. This is called
“combination chemotherapy."
Today, there are over 100 drugs that are used
to treat cancer. There are even more drugs still under development and
investigation.
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Chemotherapy is available at St. John's Clinic-Cancer & Hematology on the
main campus in Springfield (417-820-8099), St. John's Clinic-Rolla-Cancer &
Hematology (573-426-6079) and St. John's Hospital-Lebanon's Curry Cancer
Center.
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As a pill to swallow.
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As an injection into the muscle or fat tissue.
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Intravenously (directly to the bloodstream; also called IV).
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Topically (applied to the skin).
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Directly into a body cavity.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles with
treatment periods followed by recovery periods. The drugs may be given by
mouth or by injection into a vein or muscle. Most patients have chemotherapy
in an outpatient setting. Depending on which drugs are given and your
general health, a stay in the hospital may be necessary during your
treatment.
Chemotherapy drugs cannot tell the difference between cancer cells and
normal cells that are growing rapidly. Therefore, rapidly growing cells,
such as hair, mouth, blood cells and stomach cells are also affected by the
treatment.
Because of this, patients receiving
chemotherapy may experience tiredness, a sore mouth, diarrhea and/or hair
loss.
Chemotherapy drugs can sometimes cause nausea
or vomiting because of their effects on the intestine or on the vomiting
control center in the brain. It is difficult to predict who will and who
will not experience after effects. You may be among those who have few
problems. Medicines and other treatments can help you cope with these after effects and your health care team is trained to help you manage reactions.
Many patients experience limited after
effects.
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Ask your health care team about possible side effects and about what you can
do to prevent or reduce them.
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Always take your treatments as prescribed by your doctor.
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Ask questions about your treatment. Discuss changes before they are made.
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If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call the office.
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Avoid people who have colds or infections.