Treatment FAQ

how long does chemo work after last treatment

by Winston Rau III Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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It can depend on many factors but it can take up to six months to recover from chemotherapy. From what I've gathered from the ladies I've nursed over the years it can be very individual and can depend on many factors. However it can take up to six months to recover from chemotherapy.

It generally takes about 48 to 72 hours for your body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs. But it's important to know that each chemo drug is excreted or passed through the body a bit differently.Nov 22, 2019

Full Answer

How long does chemotherapy take to start working?

I have read the chemo stays in your body for about 8 days to 2 weeks, but was wondering if anyone knows for how long it actually continues to work in the body. It must be working on the hair continuosly because it never stops falling out.

What is the success rate of chemotherapy?

Jun 08, 2009 · Lets start with the last day of chemo… After 1 week – My saliva went back to normal. After 2 weeks – My taste and smell came back and all stomach related symptoms …

What to expect when having chemotherapy?

Aug 30, 2021 · Chemotherapy treatment typically lasts between 3–6 months. However, some people will receive chemotherapy for shorter or longer periods of time. Factors affecting …

How to know if Chemo is working?

Nov 21, 2021 · Since chemotherapy is broken into cycles, the entire timeline for your chemotherapy treatment will fall somewhere within a range. Cycles typically last anywhere …

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What happens after your last chemo treatment?

Nausea, vomiting, and taste changes

You may experience nausea (feeling like you might throw up) and vomiting (throwing up) after your last chemotherapy treatment. It should go away in 2 to 3 weeks. Your appetite may continue to be affected due to taste changes you may have experienced during your treatment.
Feb 7, 2022

What happens when cancer treatment is finished?

When treatment ends, you may expect life to return to the way it was before you were diagnosed with cancer. But it can take time to recover. You may have permanent scars on your body, or you may not be able to do some things you once did easily. Or you may even have emotional scars from going through so much.

How long does it take for cancer to come back after chemo?

Most cancers that are going to come back will do so in the first 2 years or so after treatment. After 5 years, you are even less likely to get a recurrence. For some types of cancer, after 10 years your doctor might say that you are cured. Some types of cancer can come back many years after they were first diagnosed.Jul 6, 2020

Which cancer has highest recurrence rate?

Some cancers are difficult to treat and have high rates of recurrence. Glioblastoma, for example, recurs in nearly all patients, despite treatment. The rate of recurrence among patients with ovarian cancer is also high at 85%.
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Related Articles.
Cancer TypeRecurrence Rate
Glioblastoma2Nearly 100%
18 more rows
Nov 30, 2018

How long are you in remission after cancer?

In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured. Still, some cancer cells can remain in your body for many years after treatment.Jun 17, 2019

Does chemo work second time around?

Second-line treatment often works very well for certain types of cancer. People with other types of cancer may have only a small chance that second-line treatment will work.

What percentage of cancer survivors get cancer again?

One to three percent of survivors develop a second cancer different from the originally treated cancer. The level of risk is small, and greater numbers of survivors are living longer due to improvements in treatment.

What are the signs of cancer coming back?

A distant (metastatic) recurrence means the cancer has traveled to distant parts of the body, most commonly the bones, liver and lungs. Signs and symptoms include: Persistent and worsening pain, such as chest, back or hip pain. Persistent cough.Jan 21, 2021

Factors affecting chemotherapy duration

Cancer Research UK notes that the length of a person’s chemotherapy treatment and the structure and length of their cycles depends on the following factors:

Oral chemotherapy

Oral chemotherapy involves ingesting pills, capsules, or liquid medicines.

Topical chemotherapy

Topical chemotherapy involves applying gels, creams, or ointments to an area of skin that contains cancerous cells.

Injectable and IV chemotherapy

Injectable and IV chemotherapy involves administering chemotherapy medication directly into a vein or other body part.

How long does chemotherapy stay in your system?

In fact, most chemotherapy drugs remain in the body for only a few hours or days. They’re broken down by the kidneys and liver and excreted in the urine, stool, or sweat. A variety of factors can influence how long it takes for the drugs to leave your body.

What are the side effects of chemo?

Remember that even though chemotherapy is rapidly metabolized and eliminated from the body, the effects — and side effects — of the drugs can last a long time, depending on the type of chemotherapy involved. Those side effects normally include : 1 Fatigue 2 Hair loss 3 Easy bruising and bleeding 4 Infection 5 Anemia (low red blood cell counts) 6 Nausea and vomiting 7 Appetite changes 8 Constipation 9 Diarrhea 10 Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing 11 Nerve and muscle problems such as numbness, tingling, and pain 12 Skin and nail changes such as dry skin and color change 13 Urine and bladder changes and kidney problems 14 Weight changes 15 Chemo brain, which can affect concentration and focus 16 Mood changes 17 Changes in libido and sexual function 18 Fertility problems

Why is chemotherapy used for cancer?

Chemotherapy is administrated with the intention of eliminating cancer cells so that the infected body can survive and remain in remission. Patients may receive a number of different types of chemotherapy, depending on a variety of factors such as the stage of the cancer and the ultimate goal of treatment.

What is detoxing diet?

Detoxing refers to the process of remoxing “toxins” from the body, either naturally or via diets or supplements, which can be unsafe and falsely advertised. A 2015 review concluded that there was no compelling research to support the use of “detox” diets for weight management or eliminating toxins from the body, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

How does chemotherapy work?

Share on Pinterest. Drazen / Getty Images. Chemotherapy (“chemo”) works by destroying cancer cells in your body. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, chemotherapy treatment may target primary tumors or cells that have spread to other parts of your body. Chemo may also help treat cancer-related pain.

How to tell if chemo is working?

The best way to tell if chemotherapy is working for your cancer is through follow-up testing with your doctor. Throughout your treatment, an oncologist will conduct regular visits, and blood and imaging tests to detect cancer cells and whether they’ve grown or shrunk.

Does chemotherapy shrink cancer?

Partial response. This means that the chemotherapy has helped shrink cancer tumors and prevent the spread of the condition, but cancer cells still exist in your body . Stable disease. This means that chemotherapy hasn’t changed the amount of cancer in your body, and that any tumors you had before haven’t shrunk or grown.

What is the goal of chemo?

The goal is to target cancer cells when they may be most active while also allowing your body recovery time to build healthy ones. Still, your exact treatment plan depends on the: type of cancer you have. stage of cancer. types of chemo drugs used, and whether you’re taking other drugs, such as targeted therapies.

Why do people take chemo?

primary reason you’re taking chemo — for example, to prevent tumor spread or to alleviate pain. how your cancer responds to the treatment. how you tolerate the treatment. other possible health conditions you may have, such as diabetes or heart conditions.

What is the first line of treatment for cancer?

To treat cancer cells with chemotherapy, your doctor will determine the best cellular phases in which to administer your treatment. Since cancer cells multiply or divide quickly, chemo may be considered a first line of treatment for more aggressive forms of cancer.

How long does it take for hair to grow back after chemo?

If you lose some or all of your hair after chemo, it will typically start to grow back in a month or two. But it's possible that at first it may not look like it used to. Its texture, shape, and color may be different.

How to lose weight after chemo?

Work with a dietitian or nutritionist and add strength training exercises to your workout routine to help you shed some pounds. Energy. You probably remember the fatigue that hit you while you were getting chemo. But some people still feel extremely tired after treatment ends.

What are the side effects of chemo?

Certain chemo drugs can damage cells in your heart. Chemotherapy may also increase your odds of having heart problems, such as: 1 Weakening of the heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy) 2 Problems with your heart rhythm ( arrhythmia) 3 Heart attack

Can chemotherapy make you tired?

But some people still feel extremely tired after treatment ends. You may find that even when you get enough rest, you still feel sluggish. Talk to your doctor for suggestions on how to raise your energy level. Chemotherapy can affect your ability to have children, whether you're a man or woman.

Does chemotherapy affect fertility?

For both men and women, chemotherapy's effect on fertility depends on a number of things, including the type of drugs you used and the dose. The higher the dose of chemo, the more likely it is to have an impact. If you're having long-term effects from chemo, talk to your doctor to get tips on how to manage them.

Does chemo cause heart problems?

Heart. Certain chemo drugs can damage cells in your heart. Chemotherapy may also increase your odds of having heart problems, such as: Weakening of the heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy) Problems with your heart rhythm ( arrhythmia) Heart attack.

Does chemo make hair grow back?

Its texture, shape, and color may be different. Over time, as the effects of the chemo on your hair follicles wear off, your hair will probably go back to the way it was before treatment. In rare cases, such as after years of strong chemotherapy, your hair follicles could shut down. This can prevent new hair from growing, ...

What to expect after chemo?

Life after chemo may be filled with challenges along the way – you may find yourself having to adjust to a new normal. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to try and maintain a sense of positivity. Your biggest battle has been fought and won – now you get to look forward to life after treatment.

How long does skin change after chemo?

Your skin changes may last for a few months, but could last longer depending on your treatment. Fortunately, many can be easily detected and, eventually, mitigated.

How to know if you have neuropathy after chemo?

Up to 70 percent of cancer survivors may experience some form of peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy is finished. We’ve written extensively about this topic on another blog post because many people desire to know how to reverse neuropathy from chemo. Typically developing in the feet, hands, and legs, neuropathy is a common condition that comes with some very identifiable symptoms, including: 1 Numbness 2 Shooting or stabbing pain 3 Burning 4 Tingling 5 Muscle weakness 6 Inability to keep your balance 7 Sensitivity to cold or heat

How many cancer survivors will be there in 2026?

As cancer treatments are further refined and innovated throughout the course of time, more and more people find themselves cancer-free. As of 2016, there were an estimated 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States – this number is expected to grow to 20.3 million by 2026. Of course, many survivors may be asking themselves ...

How does chemo affect your life?

First and foremost, you may be noticing some physical changes in your life after chemo. Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells that grow and divide quickly – unfortunately, this sometimes results in fast-growing, healthy cells also being affected.

How does chemo work?

Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells that grow and divide quickly – unfortunately, this sometimes results in fast-growing, healthy cells also being affected. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience the same sort of side-effects when it comes to life after chemo.

Can chemo cause pain?

Depending on where your cancer was located, you may be dealing with pain. This pain can either be localized to the area where cancer was being treated, or it may be an issue that has impacted your entire body. Whatever the case may be, there are ways to cope with some of the painful side-effects that come along with what happens after chemo is finished, which will impact how long until you feel better.

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