Chemotherapy

Definition

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. This treatment can target rapidly dividing cells, which is a characteristic of many tumors. While it is primarily used for cancer, chemotherapy can also affect healthy cells, leading to various side effects. Understanding its role is essential in comprehending tumor growth dynamics and the disorders related to white blood cells and lymphoid tissues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chemotherapy can be administered through various routes, including intravenous (IV), oral, and intramuscular, depending on the type of drug and the patient's condition.
2. Common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and increased susceptibility to infections due to its impact on healthy cells.
3. Combination chemotherapy involves using two or more drugs to maximize effectiveness and minimize resistance by targeting different pathways in cancer cell growth.
4. Chemotherapy works best on tumors with high growth fractions since these cells divide more rapidly and are more susceptible to the drug's effects.
5. In addition to treating cancer, chemotherapy is sometimes used as a palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with advanced disease.

Review Questions

• How does chemotherapy specifically target cancer cells during tumor growth?
  • Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which is a hallmark of cancerous tumors. The drugs work by interfering with the cell cycle, ultimately preventing these cells from multiplying. This approach makes chemotherapy particularly effective against cancers with high growth fractions, as they are more likely to be affected by the treatment compared to normal cells, which may divide less frequently.
• What are some major side effects of chemotherapy and how do they relate to its mechanism of action?
  • Major side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and increased risk of infections. These occur because chemotherapy not only targets cancer cells but also affects healthy cells that divide rapidly, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract and hair follicles. Additionally, myelosuppression can occur as a result of chemotherapy affecting bone marrow production, leading to lower blood cell counts and greater vulnerability to infections.
• Evaluate the role of combination chemotherapy in treating cancer compared to single-agent therapy.
  • Combination chemotherapy plays a crucial role in enhancing treatment efficacy by utilizing multiple drugs that target different mechanisms involved in tumor growth. This strategy reduces the likelihood of drug resistance that can occur with single-agent therapy. By attacking cancer cells from various angles simultaneously, combination therapy can improve overall treatment outcomes and potentially minimize side effects by allowing for lower doses of each individual drug. This multifaceted approach is vital for managing complex cancers and improving patient survival rates.

Related terms

Oncology: The branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Tumor Suppressor Genes: Genes that help prevent uncontrolled cell growth; mutations in these genes can lead to cancer development.

Myelosuppression: A decrease in the production of blood cells due to chemotherapy, which can lead to increased risk of infection and anemia.