Cancer Chemotherapy

Cancer : Fatigue, Pain, Tissue and Bone Loss
by National Cancer Institute
Cancer patients who are undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy often experience fatigue (lack of energy) that is related to either the cancer or its treatment. Some patients may have difficulty sleeping.

Cancer : Bleeding, Dry Mouth
by National Cancer Institute
Bleeding may occur during chemotherapy when anticancer drugs affect the ability of blood to clot. Areas of gum disease may bleed on their own or when irritated by eating, brushing, or flossing.

Cancer : Routine Oral Care, Infection
by National Cancer Institute
Continuing good dental hygiene during and after cancer treatment can reduce complications such as cavities, mouth sores, and infections. It is important to clean the mouth after eating.

Oral Complications of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
by National Cancer Institute
Oral complications are common in patients receiving chemotherapy or undergoing radiation therapy to the head and neck. The oral cavity is at high risk of side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy for a number of reasons.

Gastrointestinal Complications : Radiation Enteritis
by National Cancer Institute
Radiation therapy stops the growth of rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells. Since normal cells in the lining of the bowel also divide rapidly, radiation treatment can stop those cells from growing, making it difficult for bowel tissue to repair

Gastrointestinal Complications : Diarrhea
by National Cancer Institute
In cancer patients, the most common cause of diarrhea is cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplantation, or surgery). Other causes of diarrhea include antibiotic therapy, stress and anxiety related to being diagnosed

Gastrointestinal Complications : Impaction, Bowel Obstruction
by National Cancer Institute
Regular use of laxatives for constipation contributes most to the development of constipation and impaction. Repeated use of laxatives in higher and higher doses makes the colon less able to signal the need to have a bowel movement.

Gastrointestinal Complications : Constipation
by National Cancer Institute
Common factors that may cause constipation in healthy people are eating a low-fiber diet, postponing visits to the toilet, using laxatives and enemas excessively, not drinking enough fluids, and exercising too little.

Gastrointestinal Complications
by National Cancer Institute
Constipation is the slow movement of feces (stool or body wastes) through the large intestine resulting in infrequent bowel movements and the passage of dry, hard stools. The longer it takes for the stool to move through the large intestine

Oral Complications of High-Dose Chemotherapy or Stem Cell Transplant
by National Cancer Institute
Patients who have received transplants are at risk of graft-versus-host disease. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a reaction of donated bone marrow or stem cells against the patient's tissue.

Chemotherapy : Tooth Decay, Taste Changes, Fatigue, Pain ...
by National Cancer Institute
Dry mouth and changes in the balance of oral bacteria increase the risk of tooth decay. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular care by a dentist can help prevent cavities. Changes in taste are common during chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy : Infection, Bleeding, Dry Mouth
by National Cancer Institute
Damage to the lining of the mouth and a weakened immune system make it easier for infection to occur. Oral mucositis breaks down the lining of the mouth, allowing germs and viruses to get into the bloodstream.

Oral Complications and Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy
by National Cancer Institute
Continuing good dental hygiene during and after cancer treatment can reduce complications such as cavities, mouth sores, and infections. It is important to clean the mouth after eating.

Oral Complications of Chemotherapy and Radiation
by National Cancer Institute
Oral complications are common in patients receiving chemotherapy or undergoing radiation therapy to the head and neck. The oral cavity is at high risk of side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy for a number of reasons.

Gemcitabine and Pancreatic Head Tumors
by National Cancer Institute
The combination of radiation therapy and the drug 5-flurouracil (5-FU) is frequently used in addition to surgery in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this trial, adding gemcitabine to this standard chemoradiation regimen improved overall survival

Elderly Benefit From Chemotherapy for Early Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
by National Cancer Institute
Elderly patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who received chemotherapy following surgery lived longer than those who'd had surgery alone, without an increase in treatment-related toxicity or hospitalization.

Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
by National Cancer Institute
Combined data from five large randomized clinical trials confirmed that cisplatin-based chemotherapy extends survival for patients with stage II or stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Paying for Chemotherapy: Insurance Coverage
by National Cancer Institute
The cost of chemotherapy varies with the kinds and doses of drugs used, how long and how often they are given, and whether you get them at home, in a clinic or office, or in the hospital.

Chemotherapy : Alternative Medicine
by National Cancer Institute
Many people with cancer are exploring complementary therapies. These methods focus on the mind, body, and spirit. They do not take the place of medical therapies, but add to them.

Eating Well During Chemotherapy, Support
by National Cancer Institute
It is very important to eat well while you are getting chemotherapy. Eating well during chemotherapy means choosing a balanced diet that contains all the nutrients the body needs.