Oral chemotherapy refers to the drugs administered orally as part of an extended or comprehensive drug treatment. There are multiple ways of applying the principles of chemotherapy for the treatment of various health conditions. Nowadays, oral chemotherapy is not the only option cancer patients have, as science has come up with other ways of medicine administration adequate for a patient’s condition. Thus any drug that can be taken by mouth to treat cancer belongs to oral chemotherapy. The health impact of pills remains identical to that of intravenous medication for instance, with the specification that the incidence of digestive adverse reactions will be a lot higher.
The structure of certain medications makes them incompatible with oral chemotherapy, as they cannot be absorbed at the level of the stomach. So as to avoid side effects, many anti-cancer drugs are administered intravenously through a line. In the case of oral chemotherapy, the treatment has the advantage that the patient can follow it at home.
A good way to organize oral chemotherapy is in cycles of administration. Thus, risk of damaging normal healthy cells gets lower and the drugs only target the cancerous formations. Obviously, it is for the doctor to establish the periodicity of the treatment whether daily, weekly or monthly. Anyway, the anti-cancer treatment scheme proposed by the specialist ought to be discussed with the patient so that she/he may know what lies ahead in terms of challenges, difficulties and success rate. Only when one informed and convinced of the efficiency of the treatment, can one decide to begin it.
Although oral chemotherapy drugs have a lower intensity in terms of adverse reactions and impact on the stomach, side effect do exist. Tiredness for a few days after beginning the treatment, nausea and vomiting, possible change in the amount of blood cells – anemia, lower capability of the blood to clot, diarrhea or constipation, flu-like symptoms, hair loss, increased risk of infection, kidney or bladder problems, mouth, gum and throat sores, pains, and nerve and muscle problems, are some of the long list of side effects of oral chemotherapy, just the same as those of any other form of chemotherapy treatments. For any of these side effects it is advisable that patients address their doctors for advice and help.