What is Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a kind of treatment that fights cancer growth by using drugs which are administered either through a tablet/pill or given intravenously (through the vein). Some reports have shown that direct administration of cancer drugs inside of the pelvic cavity through a catheter (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) may be more helpful in cancer control. Chemotherapy is given in cycles where there is a period of treatment then followed by a resting period where no treatment is administered. Most treatments are given in the doctor’s office but sometimes these treatments might be given in the hospital.

Chemotherapy drugs usually damage the DNA and the production of new cells including the target of this kind of therapy, the cancer cell. Due to the effects of chemotherapy on normal tissue, common side effects occur. These side effects may include hair loss (alopecia), nausea, diarrhea, nerve damage, fatigue, skin changes with darkening or redness of the skin and problems with the red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (cells that fight infection) and platelets (cells that help us clot and prevent bleeding). The agents that are used for chemotherapy include Carboplatin® (Paraplatin), Cisplatin® (Patinol), Taxol® (Paclitaxel), Taxotere® (Docetaxel), Gemzar® (Gemcitabine), Topetecan® (Hycamtin), Doxil® (doxorubicin liposome), Cytoxan® (Cyclophosphamide), and VP-16® (Etoposide). Recent reports suggest that Avastin® (Bevacizumab) may be useful for management of malignant ascites (fluid in the abdomen due to tumor) but is still considered experimental.