What To Expect During Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given as a pill, or it can be injected into a vein. Chemotherapy is often used along with radiation therapy and surgery to treat cancer.
Chemotherapy can cause side effects. Some side effects go away after treatment, but others may last a lifetime. The side effects depend on the type of chemotherapy you receive, how much you receive, and how often you receive it.
You may have any of the following side effects:
- Anemia
- Bleeding and bruising
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Infection
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain
- Weight loss
Talk to your doctor about ways to manage side effects. Some side effects can be treated, and others may go away on their own over time.
Chemotherapy is often given in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period. During the treatment periods, you will likely need to stay in the hospital so that you can be closely monitored.
After you finish chemotherapy, your doctor will continue to monitor your progress with regular checkups and tests. You may also need to have more chemotherapy treatments if cancer comes back.