What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is one of the treatments used to cure tumours.
But aren’t tumours incurable?
Absolutely not! Most tumours are currently curable.
What other treatments are used other than chemotherapy?
Surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal treatment, and immunotherapy.
What are the differences between surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal treatment, and immunotherapy?
Surgery and radiotherapy are applied at a local level treating the diseased organ; chemotherapy and hormonal treatment work on the diseased cells present throughout the whole body; immunotherapy works by stimulating the organism.
Can these treatments be used together?
Yes! The integration of the various therapeutic options is one of the strengths of modern oncology.
When is chemotherapy used?
Before surgery in order to make the surgeon’s task easier by reducing the size of the tumour (pre operative or primary chemotherapy); after surgery in order to eliminate diseased cells that may be present in the organism in locations different from that of the primary tumour (precautionary or adjuvant chemotherapy); during the course of the disease when treatments that act on a local level are not possible or when surgery is considered unsuitable; in the occurrence of a reappearance of cancer.
How is chemotherapy administered?
The most common way is to introduce chemotherapy drugs intravenously. It is also possible to administer these drugs intramuscularly, under the skin or in cavities (such as the abdomen or the thorax) according to which particular drugs are used.
How long does chemotherapy last?
The duration of chemotherapy varies according to the individual plan that the doctor chooses for each patient.
Where and by whom is chemotherapy administered?
Current Italian law restricts the administration of chemotherapy to those medical facilities where there is an adequately trained medical and paramedical staff present and where there are the necessary equipment and facilities.
Does chemotherapy have side effects?
Unfortunately it does! There are, however, many effective ways to prevent or to treat these side effects.
Is it necessary to tell your doctor about your side effects, even transitory ones, that appear during chemotherapy?
Yes. It is useful to write down any side effects noting the type, intensity, the date, the time, and the duration.
What are the most common side effects?
The reduction of white blood cells and platelets, nausea, vomiting, inflammation of the mouth, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, tiredness, and loss of hair.
Do these side effects come with every type of chemotherapy?
No! Each treatment protocol, depending on which drugs are used, can provoke specific side effects. Their duration is variable.