What is the response to chemotherapy for rectal cancer?

What is the response to chemotherapy for rectal cancer?

Rectal cancer chemotherapy may cause nausea, vomiting, pain, bone marrow suppression and other reactions, as follows:

1. Nausea and vomiting

Clinical chemotherapy drugs have certain cytotoxicity and will directly destroy the cell structure. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells and also stimulates normal organs to a certain extent, the most common of which is the gastrointestinal tract, because chemotherapy drugs stimulate the gastrointestinal mucosa, which can cause nausea and vomiting in patients within half an hour after taking the drugs.

2. Pain

During chemotherapy, if the drug accidentally leaks under the skin, it may irritate local tissues and even cause tissue necrosis and pain symptoms.

3. Bone marrow suppression

After chemotherapy drugs enter the body, they can induce a decrease in the activity of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, causing a bone marrow suppression reaction.

In addition to the above reactions, some patients may also experience hair loss, liver damage, and kidney damage after chemotherapy. Patients are advised to relax, face chemotherapy with a positive attitude, communicate more with family and friends, and relieve tension and discomfort.