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There are several types of chemotherapy for different cancer types. Systemic chemotherapy uses drugs that are injected into a vein or given by mouth. n regional chemotherapy, drugs are injected directly into an artery leading to a part of the body containing a tumor. This approach concentrates the dose of chemotherapy reaching the cancer cells. It reduces side effects by limiting the amount reaching the rest of the body. Hepatic artery infusion, where chemotherapy is given directly into the hepatic artery, is an example of regional chemotherapy sometimes used for colon cancer that has spread to the liver.
The schedule on whether chemotherapy is given alone or before or after surgery varies too. Sometimes, chemotherapy is given prior to surgery to make the tumor smaller so the patient receives a smaller incision and there's less tendency to harm adjacent organs. If to be given after surgery, chemotherapy removes whatever cancer cells that may have remained after surgery.
Chemotherapy can also be given along with radiation therapy.
The usual concern about chemotherapy are the side effects like hair loss, loss of appetite, nausea, increased chance of infections , etc. You or your grandmother can consult her doctor about these side effects and how to manage them.
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