Among the various treatments available to fight cancer is chemotherapy, commonly known as “chemo,” which uses very powerful medications designed to destroy cancer cells in the body, and it can also be given to children.
What Is Chemotherapy?Among the different types of cancer treatment, surgical oncology and radiation therapy work at a local level, directly removing the tumor.
Chemotherapy, on the other hand, is a treatment that’s distributed systemically throughout the entire body, allowing it to destroy cancer cells that have spread to different areas. This is what makes it the main treatment for fighting leukemia in both adults and children.
Types of ChemotherapyIn both pediatric and adult chemotherapy, a wide variety of medications can be given through different methods, including intravenously (through a vein), into a muscle, into the cerebrospinal fluid, or in pill form.
The choice of administration method, the type of medication, and the length of treatment are determined by the oncologist after a thorough review of the patient’s test results and medical history.
Outpatient chemotherapy is a procedure in which the patient sleeps at home and can be considered a different type of treatment.
What Are the Effects of Chemotherapy?Because the medications used in chemotherapy are very powerful and target rapidly dividing cells, they can also damage other healthy cells in the body, such as those in the mouth, hair, or bone marrow.
As a result, mouth sores, nausea, and hair loss may occur, among other side effects. For this reason, it’s very important to keep the oncologist informed of any side effects so they can be properly addressed.
Learn more about chemotherapy in children at ABC Medical Center’s Pediatric Oncology area, where we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
