What does chemotherapy mean?
Disease description:
Due to health reasons, I have developed a serious illness, and the doctor mentioned that chemotherapy is needed. I would like to ask the doctor: what does chemotherapy mean?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingli
Chemotherapy is a treatment method used to treat cancer and some other serious diseases. By introducing medications into the body, it aims to inhibit or kill abnormally fast-growing cancer cells, thereby reducing or eliminating tumors. These medications can be administered orally or intravenously and subsequently circulate throughout the body via the bloodstream, effectively targeting and destroying cancer cells.
The selection of chemotherapy drugs and treatment plans is usually determined based on the patient's specific condition and the type of cancer. At times, chemotherapy may also be combined with other treatment methods, such as surgery or radiation therapy, to enhance treatment effectiveness. Due to the nature of chemotherapy drugs, they can not only attack cancer cells but may also affect normal cells, potentially causing side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and decreased immune function. These side effects typically diminish or disappear gradually after treatment concludes.
It is recommended that patients undergoing chemotherapy closely monitor physical changes and side effects and communicate promptly with their doctors.
