Chemotherapy

The Fluorouracil chemotherapy generally known as the 5FU Chemotherapy is a treatment given to patients suffering from some particular type of cancer. The patients suffering from oesophagus, stomach and breast cancer get treated by this particular type of chemotherapy. Some side effects are associated with this therapy. Different person react in a different manner to the therapy. Some suffer from ulcers and sore mouth. While the treatment is in progress some ulcers erupt in the mouth.

Some patients are advised to suck small pieces of ice to that they get some relief from the treatment. Patients undergoing 5FU chemotherapy are advised to drink of water as well as fluids. They are told to clean their teeth with the help of a soft toothbrush. Due to the presence of the mouth ulcers the food also tastes differently. Although the doctor prescribe special type of mouth washes mouth infection can occur.

The patient may also suffer from diarrhea while undergoing 5FU chemotherapy. Though this side effect can be controlled but the doctor should be intimated immediately. Some also suffer from vision problems. When such problems occur eye drops are prescribed to give relief to the patients. Apart from the other two problems another change that is seen in the patient is the change in the colour of the skin. It happens due to pigmentation. But these side effects are temporary and subside once the treatment is over.

The 5FU chemotherapy is given through an injection. It is injected into the body through the veins. Sometimes the medicines are also inserted given in the drip. The injection is given right below the surface of the skin on the collarbone. For inserting the injection a cream is applied in the skin which in turn changes the colour of the skin. Hence we see that each person experiences different type of side effects and also of different intensity.

Persons undergoing 5FU chemotherapy may suffer from hair loss. Total loss of hair is seldom heard off. The hair line usually thins off. Three to four weeks after the commencement of the treatment the change in the hair is noticed. The hair starts to grow back once the treatment comes to an end. Changes in the nails arte also noticed. They become too brittle. The skin becomes too sensitive to the sunlight and gets sun-burnt very easily.

The patient should wear proper clothing and apply sunscreen lotion before venturing out in the sun. The 5-FU chemotherapy also leads to the eruption of rashes. These rashes can be very irritable and cause discomfort to the patient. The palms and the soles also become sore and is generally known as the hand and foot syndrome. But these side effects are seen only when the treatment is carried on for a very long period.