Explain several ways by which the treatment of cancer by che

Solution

In chemotherapy and radiation therapy of cancer patients, high energy waves are targeted at the cancer cell. The waves cause damage and prevent cell division in cancer cell. Drawback of this, it may damage healthy cells also. Normal tissue compensates for the cells lost during radiation treatment by accelarating the division of remaining cell.

Common side effects and health problems of patients-

1. Fatigue- This is a feeling of physical emotional or mental exhaustion differ from fatigue due to not taking rest.

2. Pain - headache, muscles pain, stomach pain due to damage of nerves.

3. Mouth ulcers and throat infection

4. Diarrhoea

5. Nausea and vomiting- due to specific drugs and dose causes nausea and vomiting.

6. Constipation

7. Blood disorder- Bone marrow makes new blood which disturbed by treatment which may lead anemia ( loss of RBC) and leukopenia ( having few WBC). It may harm platelets which causes a condition thrombocytopenia, a condition of bleeding.

8. Nervous system effect- Some drugs damage nerves which causes shaking or trembling, headache, problem s in seeing,hearing or walking normally. Damage of nerves also cause memory loss.

9. It may affect fertility, pregnancy and unborn child.

10. Appetite loss

11. Hair loss

12. Long term side effect- Sometimes this therapy may permanently damage the heart,lungs,liver,kidney or reproductive system.