Chemotherapy Q & A

Cancer Care Associates is utilizing anti-angiogenic agents and other advanced targeted therapies with positive results and less adverse side effects for our patients.

What is chemotherapy and how does it work?

In short, chemotherapy kills rapidly-dividing cells. There are many different types of cancers, and they all grow differently, so there are various chemotherapy drugs—each designed to target a specific cancer and growth pattern.

How is chemotherapy administered?

Chemotherapy can be given either intravenously (IV), in the form of a pill, by injection or by injection into the spinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord or brain.

Chemotherapy is typically given in cycles lasting one or more days. Usually, a course is a few weeks long and comprised of multiple cycles. Each course is different, but generally consists of four to six cycles. A cycle can be as short as a few minutes or a few hours; it depends on the drug and the treatment.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells; but unfortunately, it can’t differentiate between a cancer cell and a healthy cell. Side effects are the unwelcome consequence of normal cells being affected.

For many, the prospect of side effects from treatment cause tremendous anxiety. Rest assured, they are not as bad as is believed. Certainly these side effects may cause inconvenience and discomfort, but great strides have been made over the last few years in reducing or eliminating these symptoms. By limiting side effects, cancer treatment has become more accurate and consistent, and many treatments are now more readily available to patients.

Common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, low blood counts, hair loss, vomiting, and fatigue. Some side effects can be a temporary annoyance and others can be more serious.

Will I lose my hair because of my treatment?

Some chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, but not all of them. Also, the degree of hair loss can range from thinning to complete baldness throughout the body. Again, it depends on the chemotherapy drug you are on.

Typically hair loss begins two to three weeks after your first chemotherapy treatment. Two to three weeks after you finish chemotherapy, your hair will usually start to grow back. Keep in mind that it may grow back with a different color or texture then you originally had.

If hair loss is a reality and you are sensitive about it, consider cutting your hair before it starts falling out. Also, you may want to shop for a wig before you begin to lose your hair. This also might be a time to consider hats or scarves. Remember, if you are in the sunlight, be sure to use sunscreen on your scalp.