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Like many chemotherapy drugs, dacarbazine may have numerous serious side effects, because it interferes with normal cell growth as well as cancer cell growth. Among the most serious possible side effects are birth defects to children conceived or carried during treatment; sterility, possibly permanent; or immune suppression (reduced ability to ...
Chemoprevention or chemoprophylaxis refers to the administration of a medication for the purpose of preventing disease or infection. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Antibiotics , for example, may be administered to patients with disorders of immune system function to prevent bacterial infections (particularly opportunistic infection ). [ 3 ]
Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent (which almost always involves combinations of drugs), or it may aim only to prolong life or to reduce symptoms (palliative chemotherapy). Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of the medical discipline specifically devoted to pharmacotherapy for cancer, which is called medical oncology. [1] [2]
The other four groups of agents generally cause late symptoms that emerge weeks after the completion of chemotherapy. In both cases, the severity of the symptoms are generally proportional to the dose of the treatment drug received, and the severity of the symptoms may warrant a reduction in the chemotherapy dosage. [2]
Chemotherapy interferes with cell division, which particularly affects rapidly dividing cells like those of the gastrointestinal mucosa and immune cells. Irritation of the GI mucosa by chemotherapy, radiation, distention, or acute infectious gastroenteritis activates the 5-HT 3 receptors of these inputs. [ 4 ]
The systems of the body most affected by chemotherapy drugs include visual and semantic memory, attention and motor coordination and executive functioning. [9] [10] These effects can impair a chemotherapy patient's ability to understand and make decisions regarding treatment, perform in school or employment and can reduce quality of life. [10]
Recent studies indicate that one in every 2,500 children in the Navajo population inherit severe combined immunodeficiency. This condition is a significant cause of illness and death among Navajo children. [9] Ongoing research reveals a similar genetic pattern among the related Apache people. [10]
A painting from 1681 depicting a person affected by nausea and vomiting. Cancer and nausea are associated in about fifty percent of people affected by cancer. [1] This may be as a result of the cancer itself, or as an effect of the treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other medication such as opiates used for pain relief.