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What is chemotherapy?
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The term “chemotherapy” typically refers to drugs used to treat cancer.
However, it also may be used to describe any medication — including aspirin or penicillin — to treat any disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
The first chemotherapy drug, mustard gas, was used to treat advanced lymphomas during the 1940s. Since then, other chemotherapies have been developed to treat various cancer types. Chemotherapy may include one drug or a combination of therapies. It may be administered in the hospital, in a physician’s office or at home.
There are different ways chemotherapy may be administered. The therapy can be delivered via IV, in pill form or via a shot. It also may be administered as a topical cream for some types of skin cancer.
Although chemotherapy effectively treats many cancer types, it often is associated with mild, treatable side effects.
These side effects may include:
- diarrhea;
- easy bruising;
- fatigue;
- fever;
- hair loss;
- loss of appetite;
- mouth sores; and
- nausea and vomiting.
Most side effects subside after treatment ends.
However, in some cases, serious complications may develop that can be long-lasting. These side effects — which vary depending on the type of chemotherapy used and the duration of treatment — include infertility, nerve damage and the risk for a second cancer.
Chemotherapy research is ongoing at various institutions across the world. For example, several clinical trials are underway at The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The types of chemotherapy under investigation there include angiogenesis inhibitors, gene therapy, immunotherapy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
The course of chemotherapy depends on the cancer type, the types of chemotherapy used, treatment goals and how each patient’s body responds to the chemotherapy.
Additional information may be found at these websites:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/basics/definition/prc-20023578
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cancerchemotherapy.html