CHEMOTHERAPY: THE BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS

DR.dr. Noorwati S. SpPD.KHOM

Cancer treatment depends on the type or types of cancer and where the cancer. Age, general health condition of patients and treatment system also affects the process of cancer treatment. The main treatment of cancer is through:
1. Surgery or surgery
2. Chemotherapy drugs
3. Radiotherapy or use of radiation beams

In general, typically used for more than one kind of treatment on the way, such as surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, treatment sometimes used with 3 combination (surgery, radiotherapy and kemotarapi).

The main goal is to raise cancer surgery as a whole because the cancer can be cured only if it is not able to spread elsewhere. While chemotherapy and riadiasi aims to kill cancer cells or stop the growth of cancer cells remaining.

Chemotherapy Benefit

Chemotherapy is a treatment process by using drugs that aim to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Many drugs used in chemotherapy.

The benefits of chemotherapy are:

1. Medical

Some types of cancer can be cured completely with one type of chemotherapy or some type of chemotherapy.

2. Control

Chemotherapy is intended to prevent cancer development in order not to grow or spread to other tissues.

3. Reduce symptoms

If kemotarapi can not eliminate the cancer, the chemotherapy is given aims to reduce the symptoms that arise in patients, such as ease the pain and give a better feeling and reduce the size of the area kenker attacked.

Providing Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be given by infusion, direct injection (muscle, under the skin, body cavity) and how to drink (tablets / capsules). Chemotherapy can be given in a hospital or clinic. Sometimes need to stay, depending on the type of drug used. Types chemotherapy and duration depending on the type of cancer and drug use.


Chemotherapy Side Effects

Side effects can occur when treatment is carried out or some time after treatment. Side effects that can arise are:

1. Weak

Common side effects arise. Emergence can be sudden or slow. Not straight away with rest, sometimes lasted until the end of treatment.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

There are some chemotherapy drugs are more make nausea and vomiting. In addition there are some people who are prone to nausea and vomiting. This can be prevented with anti-nausea drugs given before / during / after chemotherapy treatment.

Nausea vomiting can be brief or long.

3. Indigestion

Some types of chemotherapy drugs have an effect diarrhea. Some even become severe diarrhea with dehydration should be treated. Constipation can sometimes happen.

If diarrhea: subtract fiber foods, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty to replace lost fluids.

When hard CHAPTER: multiply fibrous food, gentle exercise if possible

4. Sprue

Some chemotherapy drugs cause mouth diseases such as thick or infection. Healthy condition of the mouth is very important in chemotherapy

5. Hair Loss

Temporary hair loss, usually occurs two or three weeks after chemotherapy begins. Can also cause broken hair near the scalp. Can occur after several weeks of therapy. Hair can grow back after chemotherapy is complete.

6. Muscles and Nerves

Some chemotherapy drugs cause tingling and numbness in fingers or toes and weakness in leg muscles. Much can happen in the muscle pain.

7. Effect on Blood

Some types of chemotherapy drugs can affect the bone marrow which is a manufacturer of blood cells, thus decreasing the number of blood cells. The most common is the decrease in white blood cells (leokosit). The decrease of blood cells occur in every chemotherapy and blood tests will be carried out before the next chemotherapy to ensure that blood cell count has returned to normal. Decrease in the number of blood cells can lead to:

A. Susceptible to infection

This is due leokosit Because the number of falls, because it is leokosit blood cells that function to protect against infection. There are several drugs that can increase the number of leokosit.

B. Bleeding

Platelets (thrombocytes) play a role in the process of blood clotting. Decrease in the number of platelets resulted in bleeding difficult to stop, bruises, red spots on the skin.

C. Anemia

Anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells are characterized by a decrease in Hb (hemoglobin). Because of its location in the hemoglobin of red blood cells. Anemia is due to be feeling a weak, easily tired and looking pale.

8. The skin can become dry and change color

More sensitive to the sun.

Nails grow more slowly and there are white lines across.



Some things to consider to determine the type of chemotherapy given is:

· Costs or prices of such chemotherapy.

· Adequate facilities; possibilities for control and surveillance.

· Protocol chemotherapy.

· General state of the body and of disease or other weaknesses that accompany.



Each drug has different side effects!

The reaction of each person in each cycle is different!

Each side effects are temporary and reduced if therapy is stopped. Consider and discuss with your doctor: Lucky vs. Loss.


Terms someone gets chemotherapy:

· Good organ function.

· Type of red blood cells and white blood enough.

· No fever.

· No bleeding.

· Can perform everyday activities alone (healthy)