Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, often referred to as chemo, is a cancer treatment that uses strong medicines to target and eliminate cancer cells. One of the main advantages of chemotherapy treatment is its ability to address cancer that has spread throughout the body, unlike surgery and radiation therapy, which are generally only effective in a specific area.

While it’s a widely used and effective treatment for cancer, chemotherapy can also lead to various side effects. At Penn Medicine, your care team will thoroughly discuss chemotherapy as a treatment option to ensure you understand the process and expected outcomes, helping you prepare and make informed decisions about your treatment journey.

Chemotherapy functions by targeting and disrupting the growth and spread of cancer cells. Many chemotherapy drugs work by interfering with different stages of cell growth in specific types of cancer. Each drug has unique chemical compounds and modes of action, and they can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.

Chemotherapy can be administered in several ways:

• Intravenous (IV) infusions: Medication is injected into a vein. This is the most common method. 
• Oral: Pills or capsules are taken by mouth. 
• Topical: Treatments are applied to the skin for specific skin cancers. 
• Localized injections: Shots are injected directly into specific areas of the body like the abdomen, chest, or bladder—and sometimes directly into the tumor during surgery.

While chemotherapy effectively targets cancer cells, it also impacts healthy cells, causing side effects. Fortunately, most healthy cells recover over time. The goal of chemotherapy is to strike a balance between eliminating cancer cells and sparing healthy cells to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. 

Your Penn Medicine care team will carefully assess your specific situation to determine whether chemotherapy should be included in your treatment plan. The goals of your treatment plan can vary widely. For some patients, chemotherapy will completely eradicate cancer cells. In other cases, the goal of chemotherapy may be to slow the cancer’s growth or prevent it from spreading further. Chemotherapy may also be used to ease pain or reduce tumor size, even if it cannot eliminate the cancer.

If you are deemed a good candidate for chemotherapy, a medical oncologist (a doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat cancer) will oversee your treatment, considering factors such as:

• The type and stage of your cancer 
• Your overall health 
• Your age 
• Any underlying medical conditions

Chemotherapy might not be suitable for patients with serious underlying health issues or those who may not tolerate side effects well. In such cases, your doctor will propose alternative treatment options for you to consider.

After completing chemotherapy, you can expect to experience some side effects, which will vary depending on the specific drugs used and the length of your treatment. The duration of these side effects can vary. It’s important to receive follow-up care to monitor for any potential recurrence or development of secondary cancers. Your doctor will schedule regular scans, blood tests, and check-ups to keep track of your health.

To lower the risk of cancer recurrence, consider making lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking and alcohol, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting preventative screenings. Managing stress and ensuring you get enough rest are also important for your recovery. In general, you’ll want to do everything you can to take care of your body so it can do its best to support your recovery. Make sure you stay connected with your oncology care team to address any questions or anxiety you may have about your future. It’s normal to feel this way, and your care team will be there to support you throughout your recovery journey.

Chemotherapy is a potent treatment that is effective at addressing rapidly growing cancer cells. Because of its potency, it can also affect the growth of healthy cells, leading to various side effects. If chemotherapy affects healthy blood cells, skin, hair follicles, and the digestive tract, it can lead to side effects like anemia, infection, and digestive issues.

Some of the most common side effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment include:

• Nausea and vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Loss of appetite 
• Fatigue 
• Fever 
• Mouth sores 
• Pain 
• Constipation 
• Easy bruising and bleeding 
• Hair loss

Penn Medicine offers many resources to help you manage your symptoms after chemotherapy. One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss. We offer the PAXMAN Scalp Cooling System to reduce hair loss for patients with specific types of cancer. This system is available at several of our locations and provides significant benefits for patients at risk of hair loss during chemotherapy. If you are interested in this option, please speak with your doctor to find out if it’s right for you.

Many chemotherapy side effects can be managed and typically subside after treatment. However, some patients may experience long-term and late-developing side effects, including:

• Lung tissue damage 
• Heart problems 
• Infertility 
• Kidney issues 
• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) 
• Increased risk of a second cancer

Late effects of chemotherapy may not appear until months or years after treatment. It’s important to talk to your care team about ways to manage the side effects and any potential long-term risks and signs to watch for. Despite its risks, chemotherapy is an effective treatment for eliminating cancer or reducing its symptoms. It can also enhance the effectiveness of other treatments like surgery and radiation therapy.

You’ll have several unique advantages when choosing Penn Medicine for your chemotherapy treatment:

• You can receive treatment in comfortable suites where you can be accompanied by family and friends.  
• You’ll receive comprehensive treatment and education during each chemotherapy session, with support from dedicated oncology counselors. 
• You’ll have access to experienced care teams, including oncologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, who work together to ensure successful chemotherapy treatment.  
• Your care includes innovative approaches like Dose-Dense Chemotherapy (DDC), which increases the frequency of chemotherapy sessions to better target rapidly dividing cancer cells, ultimately optimizing treatment outcomes.

When you come to Penn Medicine, you can rely on our clinical experience and compassionate support, as well as the most advanced options for cancer care. We’ll create individualized chemotherapy treatment plans for you to produce the best possible outcomes.