1.What is chemotherapy?
It is an anti-tumor method that uses chemical drugs to kill cancer cells in the body.
2.What are the functions of chemotherapy?
①Cure tumor;
②Control the tumor;
③To relieve the symptoms caused by tumor.
3.What are the common side effects of chemotherapy?
Nausea, vomiting, hair loss, bone marrow suppression, fatigue, diarrhea, oral mucositis, phlebitis, heart/liver/kidney toxicity, etc.
4.Can chemotherapy be used in combination with other therapies?
In many cases, chemotherapy is used in combination with surgery, radiotherapy and/or biologic therapy.
5.How do doctors choose chemotherapy drugs?
Doctors will consider the following when choosing chemotherapy drugs.
①The type of tumor;
②Whether the tumor has been treated before: chemotherapy (initial chemotherapy or re-chemotherapy), radiotherapy or surgery;
③What is the patient’s physical condition, whether he/she has diabetes or heart disease, etc.
④The patient’s family economic situation.
6.How often should chemotherapy be given? How many times of chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy plan should be made according to the following conditions.
①The type of tumor you are suffering from and the early and late stage;
②Treatment goal (cure, control or symptom reduction);
③Type of chemotherapy;
④Your response to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy cycle: refers to a period of chemotherapy followed by a period of rest. For example, chemotherapy is given for 1 week, followed by 3 weeks of rest, which is a 4-week cycle. The rest is to allow your body to recover enough for the next cycle of chemotherapy. Usually it takes more than one cycle of chemotherapy.
7.Can I stop chemotherapy once in between?
It is not good to stop chemotherapy once in a while. It is better to finish the full cycle of chemotherapy. However, sometimes due to side effects and other circumstances the doctor wants to modify your chemotherapy plan, you should listen to the doctor’s schedule of your next chemotherapy.
8.Can I continue to work during chemotherapy?
If the side effects of chemotherapy are not serious, you can work during the interval of chemotherapy, but if it is strong physical labor, it is better to avoid it. If it is office work, the impact is not significant, coordinate well at your own discretion.
9.Can I take other drugs during chemotherapy?
Take other drugs in chemotherapy to obtain the doctor’s advice, because different drugs will interact with each other, before, during and after chemotherapy, all the drugs you have used should be truthfully told to the doctor. If you can’t remember accurately, it’s best to bring all the drug boxes or bottles to your doctor.
10.How do I know if the chemotherapy is effective?
During chemotherapy, your doctor will give you some physical examination and auxiliary tests (such as blood tests, CT, etc.) to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy in combination with the degree of reduction of your symptoms.
The effect of chemotherapy cannot be judged according to the degree of chemotherapy side effects. It is not the case that the greater the chemotherapy reaction, the better the effect, and no chemotherapy side effect is no effect.
11.How much does chemotherapy cost?
The cost of chemotherapy depends on the following conditions.
①The program and dose of chemotherapy;
②The time and times of chemotherapy;
③Whether chemotherapy has been given before (initial chemotherapy or re-treatment);
④Your area.