The Misunderstood Chemotherapy (Cancer Treatment) – Myths/Facts

Chemotherapy is an essential cancer treatment. A widely used cancer therapy.

It significantly improves the survival rates.

However, it causes a few side effects that are often misunderstood.

The common myths include-

1. Chemotherapy is Painful

Chemotherapy is given through different routes (Oral, IV, Intrathecal, intra–arterial).

The most common route is intravenous.

The drugs cause various side effects.

It leads to nerve damage or mouth ulcers.

It causes discomfort and pain.

2. Chemotherapy Makes One More ill

It causes temporary side effects. These effects subside after discontinuation of the therapy.

The side effects are manageable with supportive care.

Chemo causes side effects like-

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Tiredness

• Hair loss

• Reduced blood count

3. Chemotherapy is Done Only in Advanced Cancer Stages

Chemotherapy is done at different cancer stages-

It is done at early cancer stages to advanced cancers.

It is done before the surgery to shrink the tumors.

The reduced size helps in easy elimination.

Chemotherapy is done after surgery to eliminate leftover cancer cells.

It is also used as maintenance therapy to prevent cancer recurrence.

Chemotherapy is used as palliative care. It is done when cancer is not curable.

It is done in advanced cancer stages to manage cancer symptoms.

4. One cannot Do Daily Routine Work During Chemotherapy

The side effects vary from each other.

It depends upon the dose and the drug.

The supportive care helps manage the effects.

One can easily continue the daily routine.

5. Chemotherapy Permanently Lowers Immunity

Chemotherapy suppresses the bone marrow.

It reduces the formation of blood.

It reduces the WBC count. It can lead to infections.

The drugs destroy even healthy cells. It disturbs gut health.

These are all temporary effects. They improve when the therapy is stopped.

6. Chemotherapy Always Causes Infertility

It can affect fertility in both men and women.

It depends upon the drug and the duration of chemotherapy.

It can cause both temporary issues and permanent infertility.

One must always consult the doctor before chemotherapy.

7. Chemotherapy Always Leads to Permanent Side Effects

Chemotherapy causes several side effects.

Most of them are temporary and improve after the discontinuation of the therapy.

Many of them continue for longer for months or years.

It can severely damage the internal organs.

Continuous monitoring of the therapeutic dose and body functions is required.

8. Chemotherapy Always Causes Bone Loss

Many chemotherapy drugs lead to an imbalance between bone cell formation and bone cell destruction.

It increases the chances of bone fractures/osteoporosis.

This reduction in bone density is effectively managed by supportive cancer therapies/drugs.

The Commonly Used Chemotherapy Medicines

Capecitabine tablets – Capekast 500mg

Temozolomide tablets – Temzokey 100 mg

Carboplatin Injection –Carbokast 150 mg

Cytarabine injection – Cytarzer 1000

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