Chemotherapy

The term chemotherapy refers to treating cancer with drugs. A drug, or combination of drugs, is administered by injection into a vein. Chemotherapy is not used as often to treat uterine cancer as it is for other types of cancer. In general, chemotherapy is only used to treat uterine cancer that has spread too widely to be treated effectively with surgery or radiation therapy. It is also used to treat uterine cancer that has recurred, or come back.

Chemotherapy is given on various schedules, depending in part on which drugs you receive. You may receive chemotherapy treatments once a week or once every three or four weeks. Chemotherapy treatments typically continue for a period of three to six months.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on which type and the amount of drugs that are given. Although these drugs can be very effective in terms of destroying cancer cells, they can also harm normal cells that grow rapidly.

Blood cells are one type of rapidly dividing cell that can be harmed by chemotherapy drugs. Different kinds of blood cells fight infection, help the blood to clot, and carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When chemotherapy affects your blood cells, you are more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak and tired. Your health care team will monitor you for low levels of blood cells. If blood tests show low levels, your health care team can suggest medicines that can help your body make new blood cells.

Chemotherapy drugs can damage the roots of your hair, leading to hair loss. Your hair will grow back, although it may be somewhat different in terms of color and texture.

Chemotherapy drugs can also damage the cells that line the digestive tract, causing poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or sores in your mouth and lips. Ask your health care team about medicines that help with these side effects.