Читать книгу Fundamentals of Cancer Detection, Treatment, and Prevention - Surya K. De - Страница 44

It uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The chemicals used are cytotoxic, i.e. capable of halting the replication or growth of cancer cells, resulting in cell death [47,53,56]. Depending on the type of cancer and how the chemotherapy is combined with other treatments, it can come in many forms – pills, liquids, or injectables administered at home or under supervision in a facility. The specific cancer‐killing agent used, and the number and length of treatments, varies according to the type of cancer and the special circumstances of each patient, including their response to the therapy. Although chemotherapy drugs are designed to kill cancer cells, which reproduce more rapidly than normal cells, healthy tissues can also, unfortunately, be affected. This gives rise to certain side effects, which also vary by individual. The most common are hair loss, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Again, though, not all patients experience these particular effects, and may encounter different ones entirely or even none at all.