Chemotherapy

 

Chemotherapy is medicine used to kill cancer cells. This medicine can be given orally (by mouth), intravenously (into a vein), intramuscularly (shot into the muscle), subcutaneously (shot into the fatty tissue), or intrathecally (into the spinal canal). 

Normal cells and cancer cells reproduce by dividing.  Cancer cells usually are rapidly dividing cells.  Some normal cells that rapidly divide are also affected by chemotherapy.  This may produce side effects.  Normal cells are able to repair themselves more effectively than cancer cells.  The normal cells most affected by chemotherapy include those in the:

• Digestive system (mouth, stomach, bowels or intestines, and the rectum).
• Hair
• Bone marrow (where the blood cells are made)
• Reproductive system

Side Effects:

• Digestive System
• Body Image
• Immunizations
• Pain
• Exposure to the Sun

*Information provided by Florida Hospital Cancer Institute

Last update Nov. 1, 2008