There are many types of chemotherapy. The most common form is administered intravenously through a needle or device inserted into a vein in the chest. Some forms of chemotherapy can be taken as pills and administered in a similar way. However, you should understand what to expect from each type of chemotherapy. This guide is designed to help you understand what to expect before, during, and after chemotherapy treatments. Listed below are the benefits and possible side effects of different types of chemotherapy.

A chemotherapy treatment for cancer uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. While these drugs can cause side effects, they are an important part of an overall treatment plan for cancer. Chemotherapy is highly effective in many cases, depending on the type and stage of cancer. When used properly, it can help a patient overcome the symptoms of cancer and keep it from spreading. Ultimately, however, it may harm healthy cells and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Before undergoing chemotherapy, you should talk to your doctor to discuss your options for working during treatment. Some types of jobs may allow you to work part-time or from home during treatment. Many employers are legally required to make work adjustments for cancer patients. Make sure to discuss these options with your employer. Additionally, your social worker can help you decide on the best way to work while undergoing treatment. And remember, most chemotherapy side effects will go away after your treatment is complete.

The process of chemotherapy is complicated, and different types of drugs are used for different types of cancer. Alkylating agents, for example, act by damaging the DNA of cancer cells and stopping them from reproducing. They are commonly used to treat lung cancer and breast cancer. Antimetabolites, on the other hand, disrupt the metabolism of cells. Antimetabolites, for example, target chromosomes in cancer cells, and are commonly used to treat breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

In some cases, chemotherapy drugs are administered through a port, which is inserted under the skin during minor surgery. A catheter connects this port to a large vein in the chest. The nurse will then insert a needle into the port. This needle may stay in place for several days or even months depending on the type of chemotherapy and the cancer’s location. If you are given chemotherapy through a port, you must be aware of any infection.

Depending on the type of cancer and its stage, chemotherapy can either shrink the tumour or destroy any lingering cancer cells. It can also improve your quality of life and prolong the life of cancer patients. Most types of chemotherapy are systemic, meaning the drugs travel throughout your bloodstream to attack cancer cells in almost every part of your body. If the chemotherapy does not kill all of the cancer cells, it will not be effective against the rest of your cancer.