Why does chemotherapy cause so much uncomfort in who it undergoes?

Question

-Hair loss
-Nausea and vomiting
-Diarrhea or constipation
-Anemia
-Depression of the immune system hence (potentially lethal) infections and sepsis
-Hemorrhage
-Secondary neoplasms
-Cardiotoxicity
-Hepatotoxicity
-Nephrotoxicity

Answer 1

Because it is a seriously toxic drug. It kills cells, thats what its designed to do. The only trouble is that it cannot tell the difference between a cancer cell and an ordinary cell;

Answer 2

Well, those are just some of the symptoms . . they don't happen to everyone. Some people just have a harder time with chemo than others. The important thing here is that cancer kills you. It can be very fast, aggressive, and overwhelm the body. The choice most people have is . . do you treat the cancer and have a chance at life . . or do nothing, and you will die . . we have had family members decide not to undergo treatment for breast cancer. And, right on schedule she died. She did try alternatives . . but nothing she tried could stop the natural progression of the disease.

On the other hand, my 17 year old son was diagnosed with stage IV abdominal sarcoma. He had extensive and multiple tumors throughout the body. He had lympth node involvement, malignant ascites (fluid built up within the abdomen), a primary tumor over 19cm, multiple smaller tumors on the larger and small intestine, a tumor in the spleen, chest wall tumors, tumors on the liver, in the lung, and a solid cake of tumor on the right diaphragm. My son was given a choice . . with no guarantees. He could go home with no treatment at all or he could stay in the hospital and fight his disease.

He decided to undergo high dose chemotherapy, with no guarantee that it would work. In the first month of chemo he had a response. The tumors literally shrunk, his heart which had been pushed out of place by the largest tumor was able to fall back into the proper place. Another round of chemo and he was able to finally eat more than 2 bites of food at a meal. By the fourth round of high dose chemotherapy my son had significant response and his primary tumor shrunk 75% from a volley ball size to a grapefruit. Other tumors not only shrunk but many completely disappeared. Chemotherapy was working. And, with that response he suddenly became a candidate for surgery.

So, yes chemotherapy causes some discomfort for some patients, but there are medications to help you through that. The discomfort is also temporary and occurs only during treatment. When my son isn't taking chemotherapy he does everything that he's always done. He was able to finish high school and graduate with his class. His quality of life is excellent (he shows no side effects at all - he has no pain and looks great) . . all because he took a chance with high dose chemotherapy. It literally saved his life, without it he would not have survived more than a few weeks or months.

Chemo may be a poison, it is definitely the heavy guns of medicine . . but you need chemotherapy for the quickest and best possible means to survive . . . because left untreated cancer is a hundred times worse. I have seen what happens to the kids who cannot stop this disease and it would break your heart the suffering they undergo.
With a disease this nasty you need to bring out the heavy artillary. It may be the only chance you'll ever get to live.

http://www.uhrad.com/pedsarc/peds013.htm

Answer 3

The rationale in chemotherapy is to kill actively dividing cells. Therefore, more rapidly reproducing cells such as cancer cells will be most affected. However, the body has some normal cells which also divide rapidly including blood cells (anemia, infection), hair (alopesia), intestinal lining (dirahea, constipation and, vomiting), tongue lining (taste).

Since dividing cells are affected, even slower reproducing cells will be affected if they are actively dividing.

Many chemotherapy drugs accomplish cell death by cross-linking DNA. When the cell tried to divide, it realizes it cannot and it commits suicide (apoptosis). Those cells attacked by the chemotherapy that survive may become mutated (secondary neoplasms).

Yes, chemotherapy is a poison. However, newer targeted therapy drugs are just now available. These drugs selective target a defective genetic mutation (protein). Therefore, they do not have the side effects of chemotherapy and, the side effects are relatively mild. Gleevec, Sprycel, Avastin, Erbitux, Tacerva are examples.

Answer 4

As someone that has been there I can tell you that they are putting some very strong toxic drugs into your veins every week for months on end. It is what is needed to fight the deadly disease but it is very painful and can make you very ill. If you survive the treatments and it gets rid of the cancer then it is worth it. By the way, it also can cause the teeth to dry out and crack and break. I don't have a molar left in my head but I haven't had cancer in a while.

Answer 5

I believe that people will die more from the "treatment" of the chemo and radiation, than the actual cancer itself. Whoever heard of poisoning the body to the point of near death, to get rid of a condition such as cancer?? Chances are your life span will be shorten significantly after enduring all the drugs and toxicity of the radiation treatments. Heavens and the gods forbid, if I ever get cancer, I will adamantly REFUSE to take part in any unorthodox procedure from the medical society and seek other alternative treatment centers that are outside the medical industry and sponsor natural cures for certain cancers.


To the people who gave me minus ratings -

I'm sorry, but I can't and won't risk my life to the people who run today's medical organizations. I truly believe they have other motives to risking people's lives with chemotherapy and the use of radiation. Profitable motives. In the end, it's all about the money, isn't it? These men and women doctors KNOW that the patient won't live a long life after these treatments, but the use of cancer "treatments" is a profitable business. Forgive me, but I don't want to die to fill someone else's pockets. (Trust me. I know what I'm talking about. I work for a billing department in a medical lab company)

Answer 6

believe it or not , it doesnt do that to everyone , my son took chemo and he had no side effects at all , i mean none , it was like he wasnt even on it , my aunt only had hair loss and nausa , my other aunt was exhausted , had nausea , and mild hair loss. it depends on the person and the cancer . my son and both aunts did lose thier battles with cancer , but cancer and chemo are both very personal , no 2 people react the same.

Answer 7

It is poison my friend! The cancer cells grow and replicate much faster than normal cells so they are taking in more of the poison than the rest of the body. The object is to dose the healthy body to just short of death in the hopes the cancer will absorb more and be killed.

Answer 8

Chemo is controlled application of poison. The object is to kill more bad cells than good cells so that the tumor dies before the patient does.

Answer 9

unless it significantly helps your chances of beating the cancer i would not do it. it is toxic.