Treatment
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Chapter: 6 - Treatment
Subchapter: 8 - Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment method that uses a combination of drugs to either destroy cancer cells or slow cancer cell growth. Cytotoxic drugs (meaning “toxic to cells”) are taken intravenously (through the bloodstream) or orally. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning that the drugs travel in the bloodstream through the entire body.
Chemotherapy is offered to most patients based on several factors: tumor type, grade, size, receptor status, lymph node involvement and the risk for spread elsewhere. Your medical team will work to select the right blend of chemotherapy drugs to suppress each stage of the cancer cells’ growth. Chemotherapy is commonly prescribed along with other treatment methods such as hormonal and targeted therapies. It can also be used to shrink a tumor before surgery for easier and safer removal.
If you receive chemotherapy, your doctor will administer it in short courses, with several weeks in between to allow your normal cells to recover. This treatment period can be a challenging time emotionally and physically; it is important for you to develop a support team of family or friends that can help comfort and encourage you in this time.
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Sub Chapters
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Introduction 02:03
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Surgery 02:03
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Breast Reconstruction 02:08
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Lymph Node Removal 02:35
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Radiation Therapy 02:43
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Chemotherapy 01:44
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Hormone Therapy 02:03
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Targeted Therapy 01:52
Related Questions
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Does your taste get back to normal between chemo treatments?? Or is it gone until all rounds are done?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 4 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2011
Mine did for the most part, like 4-5 days after, but some foods, I couldn't have at all until weeks after it was over. Certain things I tried during and felt sick so wrote them off for 4 months
Comment 0 -
anonymous
Stage 2A Patient
I just finished my last chemo 5 days ago and the taste I have in my mouth is horrible and my tongue is like white. So gross. I feel this taste I have is stronger than any food or gum or mints. Nothing makes it go away.
Comment 0
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Has anyone had incontinence issues with chemo? Just took my third chemo yesterday and have had 2 unexplained and unexpected leaks in past 12 hrs. I'm baffled. No signs of uti. Help!
Asked by anonymous
Stage 2B Patient- View all 5 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
This happened to me between my 3-4th chemo treatment. It really freaked me out but it stopped after my last treatment. It was only a little bit of a leak so a panty liner worked for me.
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I have had the same problem. My onc said chemo irritates the bladder. She said its temporary. I hope so. I have 2 treatments left. Good luck to you.
Comment 0
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Do you have any info on my type of breast cancer-adenoid cystic? I was told it occurs in less than 1% of women and is not an aggressive type of breast cancer.
Asked by anonymous
Survivor since 2009-
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
It is very rare.... what I read was 0.1% of breast cancers are this type. What I read was it is not an aggressive type, doesn't usually spread, and usually treated with a simple mastectomy. Here is the article a bit dated at 2006 so treatment for this type may have been updated. ...
1 comment 0It is very rare.... what I read was 0.1% of breast cancers are this type. What I read was it is not an aggressive type, doesn't usually spread, and usually treated with a simple mastectomy. Here is the article a bit dated at 2006 so treatment for this type may have been updated. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1477-7800/content/3/1/17
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