Chemotherapy Treatments for Breast Cancer

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer usually involves a combination of drugs that can be given as a pill or by injection. University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center medical oncologists may use standard drug treatments or offer clinical trials that test new drugs or treatment plans.

Managing Chemotherapy Treatment

Breast cancer patients may receive chemotherapy as a hospital inpatient or outpatient. These treatments enter the bloodstream and work to destroy or control cancer. The use of chemotherapy may be combined with other treatments. How and when it is given depends on the type and extent of the cancer. It might be used prior to surgery to shrink a tumor, after surgery to help keep the cancer from returning or for cancers which have spread outside of the breast.

Chemotherapy Side Effects

During chemotherapy, healthy cells and cancerous cells are impacted. As a result, patients may experience side effects. Some of the possible side effects include:

  • Fatigue: This can be caused by the type of chemotherapy as well as stress, anxiety and depression.
  • Anemia (low red blood cell count): Some chemotherapy causes anemia because it makes it harder for bone marrow to produce new red blood cells. Anemia can also be one of the causes of fatigue.
  • Nausea, vomiting and/or dry heaves: These symptoms might occur while getting, right after or hours or days later after chemotherapy treatment. There are a number of new drugs which can help prevent these symptoms; patients should talk to their doctor or nurse.
  • Constipation or diarrhea: These symptoms may result from the chemotherapy drugs themselves, or from a patient’s change in diet or activity levels during treatment.
  • Hair loss. Some chemotherapy drugs damage the cells that create hair growth. This may start two to three weeks after therapy starts. Most patients’ hair starts to grow back within 2 to 3 months after chemotherapy is completed, but may take from 6 to 12 months to grow completely back in.

UH Seidman Cancer Center and UH Breast Health Center physicians, nurses, dietitians, psychologists and social workers help patients cope with these side effects and their impact on work and family life.