Gallbladder Cancer Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy for Gallbladder Cancer
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. These drugs usually target rapidly dividing cells. They may be delivered intravenously, by injection or by mouth. They then travel through your bloodstream to attack cancer cells throughout your body, and for this reason your care team may also refer to chemotherapy as systemic therapy. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles, to allow your body time to recover between treatments.
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), gallbladder cancer chemotherapy may be used in combination with radiation therapy. It may also be used following surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, or used to treat advanced cancers that cannot be treated by surgery.
There are several different types of chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat gallbladder cancer. If chemotherapy may be an option for you, your team at CTCA will work together to select the right type of chemotherapy and to develop an individualized treatment plan for you.
Managing the Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Patients are often worried about the unpleasant side effects associated with using chemotherapy for gallbladder cancer, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss and mouth sores.
Your care team at CTCA proactively uses treatment approaches that can reduce or moderate these side effects. Your doctor may prescribe certain medications to reduce nausea and vomiting, or to help maintain blood counts. Additionally, your dietitian and other members of your team will work with you to find the right combination of natural therapies to prevent or alleviate these side effects.
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