Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy, anticancer drugs that damage the DNA in the blood cells are introduced into the bloodstream. Chemotherapy may also be given as palliative treatment, to relieve symptoms without the expectation of a cure, to improve a patient's quality of life. Chemotherapy may also be used as a conditioning therapy prior to a blood and bone marrow transplant.

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Chemotherapy drugs can be swallowed in pill form, injected by needle into a vein or muscle, or injected under the skin. Chemotherapy regimens or treatment plans may use a single drug or a combination of drugs. Oncologists usually recommend a combination of drugs administered over a period of time for most people with leukemia. This is often more effective than a single drug, as drugs attack the cancer cells in several different ways. Doctors must also consider side effects of each drug and any potential interactions among the drugs.

The side effects of chemotherapy are caused by the damage to normal cells. Usually the side effects are temporary. Each time chemotherapy is given, the doctor is balancing destroying the cancer cells with sparing the normal cells. Often medications can be given to lessen the side effects. The cells most vulnerable to chemotherapy are those that reproduce rapidly, including the bone marrow, hair follicles, and lining of the reproductive and digestive tracts. Damage to these cells can result in:

• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Lowered resistance to infection due to low white blood cell counts
• Easy bruising or bleeding due to low blood platelets
• Fatigue due to low red blood cells
• Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting

Many of the side effects of chemotherapy are caused by low white blood cell counts. To minimize your risk of infection, it may be helpful to reduce your exposure to germs. This includes:

• washing your hands often.
• avoiding uncooked fruits and vegetables and other foods that might carry germs.
• avoiding fresh flowers and plants because they carry mold.
• asking people to wash their hands when they come in contact with you.
• avoiding large crowds and people who are sick (wearing a surgical mask offers some protection in these situations).

Other medications, including vitamins and nonprescription medicines, can interact with chemotherapy and potentially make the drugs less effective or exacerbate their side effects. Therefore, it is important that you tell your doctor about all medicines, including vitamins, herbal or dietary supplements, and nonprescription medicines that you are taking.