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How does chemotherapy work?

Depending on the substance, chemotherapy destroys rapidly dividing cells in a variety of ways. Many chemotherapy treatments have been created to target the diverse growth patterns of the many types of malignancies since they all develop differently. Each medication functions differently and is most effective at a certain stage of the targeted cell’s life cycle. For instance, several chemotherapy medications function by:

Damaging DNA
Preventing cells from dividing
Disrupting cellular metabolism or other critical functions

Over 50 chemotherapy medications are frequently employed. Examples of certain chemotherapy medications and their many names are shown in the table below. It covers numerous adverse effects and identifies some of the cancer types they are used to treat, but not necessarily all of them. After receiving chemotherapy, side symptoms may appear immediately (within days or weeks) or months or years afterwards. The list of adverse effects that is presented below is not all-inclusive. There could be further adverse effects.

Each person’s medical history, diagnosis, and response to treatment are unique; thus, are they. There may be severe, minor, or no side effects. Before the start of the therapy, make sure to go over any and all potential side effects with your cancer care team.

Chemotherapy Drug	Possible Side Effects (Not all side effects are listed. Some of those listed may be short-term side effects; others are long-term side effects.)
carboplatin (Paraplatin) usually administered intravenously (IV) and used to treat lung, head and neck, and ovarian cancers	blood cell counts falling hair fall (reversible) confusion nausea, diarrhoea, and/or vomiting
cisplatin (Platinol, Platinol-AQ) used to treat bladder, ovarian, and testicular cancers, and typically administered intravenously (IV).	reduction in blood cell counts allergic reaction, which may include a rash and/or difficulty breathing nausea and vomiting that often lasts for 24 hours or longer changes in blood electrolytes kidney damage
cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) can be given intravenously (IV) or orally used for lymphoma, breast cancer, and ovarian carcinoma	blood cell counts falling nausea, vomiting, and stomach ache reduction in appetite hair fall (reversible) bladder injury fertility problems Heart or lung injury (with high doses) second-degree cancers (rare)
docetaxel (Taxotere) given intravenously (IV) used for breast cancer, lung, and prostate	decrease in blood cell counts nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain diarrhea decreased appetite hair thinning rash numbness and tingling in hands and feet
doxorubicin (Adriamycin) intravenously (IV) administered and used for breast cancerlymphoma, and multiple myeloma	decrease in blood cell counts mouth ulcers hair loss (reversible) nausea and vomiting heart damage
erlotinib (Tarceva) used orally in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer	Rash and other skin modifications diarrhea
etoposide (VePesid) can be given intravenously (IV) or orally used for cancers of the lung, testicles, leukemia, and lymphoma	blood cell counts falling hair fall (reversible) vomiting and nauseous allergic reaction oral sores reduced blood pressure reduction in appetite diarrhea and tummy ache Symptoms of the flu like bronchospasm
fluorouracil (5-FU) given intravenously (IV) used for cancers of the colon, breast, stomach, and head and neck	blood cell counts falling stomachaches mouth sores photosensitivity arid skin
gemcitabine (Gemzar) given intravenously (IV) and used to treat lung, pancreatic, breast, and ovarian cancers	decrease in blood cell counts nausea and vomiting fever and flu-like symptoms rash
imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) used orally for gastrointestinal stromal tumor and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)	nauseous and dizzy fluid accumulation (swelling around ankles, eyes) muscular pain gastrointestinal bleeding, rash, and diarrhea
irinotecan (Camptosar) administered intravenously (IV) and used to treat rectum and colon cancers	blood cell counts falling vomiting hair loss (reversible)
methotrexate (Folex, Mexate, Amethopterin) breast, lung, blood, bone, and lymph system cancers may be treated using oral, intravenously (IV), intrathecally (into the spinal column), or a combination of these methods.	blood cell counts falling nauseous and dizzy oral sores rashes on the body and photosensitivity headache, grogginess, or sleepiness kidney injury liver injury hair fall (reversible) seizures
paclitaxel (Taxol, Abraxane) given intravenously (IV) and used for lung, breast, and ovarian cancers	blood cell counts falling allergic response nauseous and dizzy reduced appetite altered taste, brittle or thin hair, and joint pain tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes
sorafinib (Nexavar) used for advanced kidney cancer and administered orally	blood pressure is high. Other skin changes and a rash constipation exhaustion hair loss nausea and vomiting
sunitinib (Sutent) given orally and used for kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)	diarrhea, vomiting, and mouth ulcers stomach ache skin changes, such as a rash and skin discoloration fatigue blood pressure is high. swelling and bleeding taste disturbance
topotecan (Hycamtin) used to treat lung and ovarian cancers when administered intravenously (IV)	blood cell counts falling vomiting hair loss nauseous and dizzy
vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar PFS) often administered intravenously (IV), used to treat lymphoma and leukemia	weakness, tingling, or numbness in the fingers or toes reduced reflexes tooth ache hair loss constipation or abdominal cramping
vinblastine (Velban) used to treat head and neck, testicular, and lymphoma cancers when administered intravenously (IV)	blood cell counts falling hair fall (reversible) abdominal pain or indigestion tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes and jaw pain