What is a Chemo?

Once cancer treatment is received, the Hemato-Oncologist Doctor will indicate some form of cancer treatment, probably the use of Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, a marrow transplant or more than one of these. It will all depend on the type of cancer that develops.

In this entry, we will explain what is aChemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a combination of specific drugs that when applied travel through blood throughout the body and serve to treat cancer.

How is chemotherapy applied?

Chemotherapy is applied to the vein, orally (pills) or with injections. Your doctor will choose the one that suits your child best, and take care that everything is as comfortable as possible for him or her. Chemotherapy is applied in the hospital, i.e. it enters and leaves the same day. At other times it is necessary to enter the hospital for one or more days in order for it to be applied, the doctor will define it and notify you in advance.

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy stops the growth of unhealthy cells. Prevents them from continuing to build up or hurt some part of the body. However, it also stops the production of some good cells, such as hair cells, and that's why certain side effects appear. These cells usually regain normal functioning when chemotherapy is no longer applied.

What side effects does chemotherapy cause?

The most common effects of chemotherapy are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite (occasional pain or mouth ulcers).
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Hair loss

The effects of chemotherapy are controlled with special medications and some of them can be prevented, are temporary, and have nothing to do with your child's recovery. Not in all people they show up, or every time chemotherapy is applied.