Chemo Facts

Chemotherapy uses chemicals to treat many types of cancer. Because of its effectiveness, chemotherapy is often one of the first treatments used for cancer, but the drugs used for chemo pose a risk for side effects.

History

• Chemotherapy has been widely used since the 1950s, according to the American Cancer Society. The first program for chemotherapy development was the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center, which opened in 1955.

Function

• Chemotherapy drugs travel through the bloodstream, where they come in contact with cancer cells and destroy them.

Types

• Chemotherapy sometimes involves the use of oral medications, creams or injections but most commonly is administered intravenously, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are hundreds of chemotherapy drugs, and doctors make their selections about which to use based on the type of cancer being treated. For example, breast cancer is often treated with cisplatin or vinorelbine, and lymphoma patients may receive fludarabine phosphate or cladribine.

Locations

• Depending on the type of chemotherapy treatment, chemo may take place at your home or in a doctor's office, hospital or an outpatient treatment center.

Side Effects

• Possible side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, decreases in red or white blood cell counts, impaired memory, impotence, swelling of the arms and legs and changes in the frequency of urination, reports the National Cancer Institute.

Risks

• Chemotherapy poses a risk for infertility in women and men, nerve damage, and heart, kidney or lung problems. In addition, chemotherapy poses a slight risk for the development of secondary cancers later in life, warns the Mayo Clinic.