How to recover from chemotherapy. Lymphostasis in cancer patients

This is tissue swelling caused by impaired outflow of lymphatic fluid. The latter is a component that is produced in the tissues (part of the fluid from the tissues is evacuated through the veins and through the lymphatic system). Lymphedema or chronic lymphedema is a consequence of a chronic disease of the lymphatic system, leading to impaired lymph outflow and an increase in the size of the affected organ. Possible forms include lymphostasis of the legs - feet, legs; lymphostasis of the mammary gland, abdominal cavity and even veins.

The causes of the disease may be:

• operations for oncological diseases (upper limbs: breast cancer, thoracic cavity tumors, mastectomies)
• lower limbs: erysipelas lower limbs
• tumor diseases of the pelvic organs
• obesity
• Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (congenital disease).

Methods for diagnosing lymphostasis:

In diagnostics of this disease survey data is used ultrasound examination veins of the lower extremities, abdominal organs, examination of the chest organs: x-ray, computed tomography, laboratory tests.

Treatment of lymphostasis:

Not for today pharmacological agents, which would prove effective in the treatment of lymphostasis of any nature. The basis for the treatment of lymphostasis is complex compression therapy:

• bandaging the limb and using compression stockings!;
• hardware intermittent pneumocompression;
• manual lymphatic drainage massage in specialized institutions;

Treatment of lymphostasis is a complex and labor-intensive process that should ONLY occur under the supervision of a specialist! Surgical treatment lymphostasis in most cases is not effective. Almost all hardware methods for treating lymphostasis (such as “pneumomassage”, laser therapy, magnetic therapy and other types of physiotherapy) have a number of serious drawbacks and are not effective enough. The best results are obtained from a comprehensive conservative treatment, which includes manual lymphatic drainage with the application of a compression bandage, which requires highly qualified specialists.

Good and fairly quick results in the treatment of lymphostasis of the legs, especially in the lower leg area, are obtained by the use of specialized myostimulators (for example, the Veinoplus device), when combined with conservative techniques (lymphatic drainage massage and bandaging).

Possible complications in the treatment of lymphostasis:

Today in Russia it is possible specialized treatment patients with lymphedema, but the availability of such treatment is extremely limited. This means that every day, month, year their condition worsens, lymphostasis progresses, problems with movement, self-care worsen, social adaptation, the quality of life deteriorates significantly. Lack of treatment for lymphedema (lymphostasis) leads to disruption of microcirculation in the surrounding tissues, development of fibrosis (severe compaction) and the appearance of trophic ulcers. Increasing erysipelas further aggravates the problem and leads to many complications, including sepsis and death.

Frequently asked questions about the treatment of lymphedema

Is it possible to treat lymphostasis in cancer? For example, for breast cancer?

Is it dangerous to treat lymphostasis of any extremities during pregnancy?

Usually not. However, it is worth understanding that each case is individual, even if we are talking about compression treatment methods. In addition, there is also drug treatment, the result of which must be predicted by a specialist doctor.

Is it possible to get rid of the problem of lymphatic drainage in children? Are there any restrictions for them?

In children, most often we are talking about chronic or congenital lymphostasis. With traditional methods, most often there are no restrictions, but there are when treated with medications or antibiotics. However, such diseases, again, always need to be treated with the help of a specialist doctor.

Are there any less common but effective treatments?

Yes, for example, lymphatic drainage using appropriate massage techniques.

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Lymphostasis of the extremities: how to quickly eliminate it?

Lymphostasis of the extremities is a chronic or acute stagnation of lymph, which is mainly observed in the lower extremities. This condition is characterized by a stop of lymph flow in the vessels of the legs, which in turn is manifested by progressive edema. This pathology, according to statistics, is five times more common in women than in men.

Without appropriate treatment, lymphostasis only increases and over time can lead to pathological thickening of the legs in the form of elephantiasis.

Why does lymphostasis of the extremities form?

The cessation of lymph flow in the vessels can be caused by the following factors:

1. The growth of a malignant neoplasm in some cases is accompanied by mechanical blocking of the lumen of blood vessels.
2. Acute renal and heart failure.
3. Varicose veins in the stage of decompensation.

Lymphatic stagnation, among other things, stops the removal of waste and by-products of tissue metabolism.

Symptoms of lymphostasis in the lower extremities

Lymphostasis of the lower extremities sequentially goes through three stages:

This stage is considered reversible. Swelling with lymphedema affects the ankle area, the dorsum of the foot and the base of the digital phalanges. An increase in the volume of soft tissues during palpation does not cause pain and can be folded on the surface of the skin. Such swelling after several hours in a horizontal position decreases significantly or disappears altogether.

In other words – irreversible lymphostasis. This stage is characterized by the spread of pathological edema from the lower leg to the thigh with the formation of a dense infiltrate. Finger pressure on the swollen tissue causes the formation of a crater-shaped depression, which persists for several minutes. For patients with fibroedema, such lymphostasis of the extremities causes considerable problems in the form of pain and deformation of the leg. Prolonged vertical position of such patients can provoke convulsions.

This stage can last a long time. In this case, the skin in the affected area takes on a bluish tint.

It is considered the final stage of lymphostasis, during which the proliferation of connective tissue occurs. As a result, the lower limbs thicken 2-3 times their original size.

Diagnosis of lymphostasis of the extremities

Lymphostasis of the extremities is a symptom of the disease or its consequence, and not an independent nosological unit. Therefore, the diagnosis of lymphatic congestion in the lower extremities is primarily aimed at identifying the root cause. To establish a final diagnosis, doctors resort to the following methods:

1. Ultrasound diagnostics: Ultrasound diagnostics is quite widely used in oncology and phlebology due to its simplicity, safety and accessibility.
2. Radiography: the fundamental method for determining pathologies of internal human organs today remains radiology.
3. Biopsy of the affected area of ​​the body: collection of biological material for cytological and histological examination is carried out only if a malignant neoplasm is suspected.

Treatment of lymphostasis of the extremities

Therapy for swelling of the extremities occurs in the following areas:

Medical measures in such cases consist of physical and medicinal interventions.

Patients are advised to place the affected limb in an elevated position at night. A fairly effective way to combat lymphostasis is a professional foot massage, which helps eliminate swelling by removing excess fluid. Foot massage can also be carried out using a special apparatus.

For lymphostasis of the extremities, specialists most often prescribe phlebotonic drugs, which promote drainage of the affected organ and increase microcirculation. Another group of drugs that have found use in lymphostasis are homeopathic remedies. The pharmacological action of such drugs is aimed at stimulating metabolic processes and removing free radicals from the body. Complex decongestant therapy also includes diuretics, which reduce the volume of the lower extremities by increasing the frequency of urination.

Is it possible to treat lymphostasis of the extremities with folk remedies?

Traditional medicine uses compresses containing onions and birch tar to treat lymphostasis. The preparation of such a remedy involves applying baked onions prepared with the addition of tar to bandage fabric. This compress is fixed overnight. The therapeutic course is approximately 2-3 months.

Today, an effective method for reducing leg swelling during or after cancer treatment is the use of leeches. So, for lymphostasis of the extremities, hirudotherapists recommend applying 3-5 leeches to the affected area. The course of treatment usually includes up to ten sessions with a frequency of once a week.

Important to know:

Categories:

The information on the site is presented for informational purposes only! It is not recommended to use the described methods and recipes for treating cancer diseases on your own and without consulting a doctor!

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The branch of medical science that studies the causes, symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasms is called oncology. Lymphostasis, its treatment and prevention are one of its directions. Signs of the disease may appear both before and after surgery.

Lymphostasis in cancer

Lymphostasis develops when there is a discrepancy between the production of lymphatic fluid and its outflow. There are such forms of lymphostasis: primary and secondary. The cause of primary lymphostasis is congenital anomalies in the development of lymphatic vessels. Lymphostasis in cancer patients refers to secondary form diseases.

The cause of lymphostasis in cancer is damage to the lymph nodes by metastatic atypical cells or interruption of the lymph drainage pathways during surgery. Not in all cases, limb edema develops after surgery. If patients in the postoperative period take antitumor drugs and follow the doctor’s recommendations, then lymphostasis may not develop, or it will go away within 2-3 months.

Quite often, lymphostasis of the breast and upper limb develops after radical mastectomy (removal of the mammary gland). In advanced stages of ovarian, uterine or prostate gland lymphostasis of the lower extremities occurs. In oncology, lymph stagnation can occur even if patients are prescribed radiation therapy. Sometimes scars form at the site of exposure to X-rays, which compress the lymphatic vessels. The cause of lymphostasis can be cancer of the lymphoid tissue.

Methods for diagnosing and treating lymphostasis in cancer patients

The diagnosis of “lymphostasis” in oncology usually does not raise doubts among the doctor after questioning and examining the patient. However, in order to determine treatment tactics for patients, the following diagnostic studies are prescribed:

Doppler ultrasonography (ultrasound);

Diagnostic methods such as isotope lymphography (lymphangioscintography) and lymphangiography with contrast are considered inappropriate to use in cancer patients. It is necessary to find out the source of metastases. To do this, depending on the presence of signs of damage to internal organs, appropriate diagnostic studies are performed.

Treatment of lymphostasis in cancer patients is carried out after identifying the cause that caused the swelling. To do this, after the operation, an active drainage is installed, through which the lymph flows into a special receiver. Patients are prescribed medication. Lymphostasis decreases after chemotherapy. A good lymphatic drainage effect is observed after gymnastic exercises, Nordic walking and swimming. You should be careful when performing any type of massage and physiotherapeutic procedures for cancer patients.

Lymphostasis can be a sign of cancer, a complication of surgery or radiation treatment. To prevent it, active drainage is installed after surgery, and exercise therapy is prescribed to patients. If the patient follows the doctor's recommendations, lymphostasis may not develop in cancer patients. To do this, you need to contact a specialist when the first signs of the disease appear.

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Lymphostasis in cancer patients

The Cancer Society estimates that 10-15% of women who survive breast cancer (other studies show a higher percentage of 30-40%) may develop lymphedema throughout their lives.

Approximately 5% of breast cancer survivors developed lymphedema after the first year of treatment. However, recent studies show that 49% of patients had mild lymphostasis, which disappeared over time, and in 11% of the women studied it developed into a chronic form.

77% of women reported onset of swelling (within 3 years of cancer diagnosis) and subsequent onset of symptoms at a rate of 1% per year. This late lymphedema is correlated with two epidemiological factors: infection or trauma, and weight gain after treatment. (This will be discussed later)

Partly because lymphedema can develop weeks, months, or years after breast cancer treatment, it is difficult to pinpoint its exact causes. Long-term studies of women with different lifestyles, treatments and general condition health studies showed no relationship between age, the number of lymph nodes through which the cancer has spread, or weight at diagnosis. However, the relationship between the following factors and the onset of lymphedema has been determined:

• axillary dissection ( surgical removal lymph nodes in the armpit) or destruction of the lymph nodes. A large study found that 15.9% of women who underwent axillary dissection and radiation therapy, received lymphostasis, in addition, the risk correlates with the number of removed lymph nodes. Other studies have shown that there was no difference in the rate of disease progression between women who underwent radical mastectomy and breast-conserving surgeries such as lumpectomy, axillary dissection, and radiation therapy.
• Radiation therapy: can cause damage or scarring to lymph nodes or blood vessels, leading to lymphedema in approximately 30% of women who undergo it.
• tumor growth: the tumor can surround the lymphatic vessel and thereby impede lymph flow.

The main reasons why women have late lymphedema are weight gain after cancer treatment, infection and injury.

• Infections (cellulitis: bacterial infections of the skin or lymphangitis: infection of the lymphatic vessels) can lead to increased blood flow, and therefore increased lymph, in the affected area. Lymphangitis can also lead to obstruction (blockage) of the lymphatic vessels and, as a result, lymphostasis will develop. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed by a doctor if an infection occurs.
• Weight gain after cancer treatment should be avoided as much as possible. Although patients who had overweight at the time of diagnosis had more than high level incidence of lymphostasis than women with normal weight; its increase in the period after treatment is also a strong predictor of the development of lymphostasis. A nutritionist can provide consultations to encourage weight gain with a balanced menu with low content fat, high fiber content. Some forms will also be helpful physical exercise to maintain ideal weight.
• Injuries: It is important to avoid injury to the arm on the side where the mastectomy or lymph node dissection was performed. Even minor scratches or a sterile needle prick can trigger the occurrence of lymphostasis. Any wounds should be properly cleaned and treated with an antibiotic. WITH for preventive purposes Oral antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor to reduce the chance of infection.

Other cases that cause a rush of blood and lymph to the affected area are excessive use of the affected limb, sudden changes in temperature (hot bath, sauna), vigorous massages, which can initiate or aggravate existing lymphedema.

Find out more about the treatment of lymphostasis after breast removal here

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Lymphostasis: causes and dangers of this disease

Today we will talk about a disease that affects almost a quarter of a million people on our planet - lymphostasis. Every ten thousandth baby is born with congenital lymphostasis of the face and extremities, which is certainly accompanied by a whole bunch of dysplastic anomalies.

The disease most often affects women between thirty and forty-five years of age. In the vast majority (approximately 90%) of cases, the disease is localized in the lower extremities.

What is lymphostasis?

Lymphostasis (or lymphedema) is a congenital or acquired disease of the lymphatic system, caused by a violation of the outflow of lymphatic fluid from the lymphatic vessels and capillaries located in the internal organs and limbs to large lymphatic collectors and ducts through which it flows into the veins.

Localization

With lymphostasis, damage to the lower extremities is most often observed (starting with swelling of the foot, the process gradually affects the lower leg and spreads to the thigh).

The photo shows lymphedema of the lower extremities

In some cases, lymphedema can affect:

• upper limbs (lymphostasis of the arm);
• mammary glands (mammary lymphedema);
• face (facial lymphostasis);
• scrotum (scrotal lymphedema).

Medical statistics indicate cases where the patient’s entire body was affected by lymphostasis.

Reasons

Regardless of the location, lymphostasis is characterized by the presence of swelling (widespread or limited) of soft tissues caused by the accumulation of lymph. Considering the significant (up to two liters per day) volume of lymphatic fluid production, one can understand the scale of the disaster experienced by the body affected by the disease.

This pathological process occurs due to a violation of the integrity of large and small lymphatic vessels. Considering the etiology of the development of the disease, lymphostasis is usually divided into primary and secondary.

Lymphostasis is a polyetiological disease, since the reasons for its development are in the lower and upper limbs There can be many pathogenic factors, for example:

• Varicose veins of the abdominal cavity and veins of the lower extremities. Due to chronic venous insufficiency, the vessels of the lymphatic bed dilate compensatoryly, as a result of which their tone decreases and valvular insufficiency of the walls develops.
• Congenital anomalies of lymphatic vessels (aplasia, hypoplasia and hyperplasia), inevitably ending in the development of primary lymphostasis.
• A burn or injury that leads to damage to the vascular walls of one or more lymphatic vessels.
• Systematic compression of the lymphatic vessel by surrounding inflamed or tumor tissues.
• Surgical interventions (for breast cancer and tumors of the chest cavity), ending with the removal of lymph nodes.
• Penetration of roundworms into the lymphatic vessels - filaria, provoking the development of filarial lymphostasis. In this case, the cause of disruption of the free flow of lymph is the accumulation of helminths, narrowing the lumen of the vessel they occupy.
• Erysipelas of the upper and lower extremities.
• Chronic renal failure can give impetus to the development of lymphedema of the scrotum and lower extremities.
• Presence of obesity.
• A congenital disease of the veins of the lower extremities, called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

Classification of forms

Depending on etiological factors, which provoked the development of the disease, lymphostasis can be:

• Primary. With this form of lymphostasis, all anomalies of the lymphatic bed (agenesis and obstruction of blood vessels, insufficiency of venous valves, cases of aplasia or hyperplasia), being laid down at the genetic level, are congenital in nature. The characteristic symptoms of this genetically determined disease, which appear already in infancy, are fully expressed in adolescence. In the vast majority of cases, the disease affects only one limb (affecting both limbs is rare).
• Secondary. With secondary lymphostasis, there is a malfunction of the lymphatic system, which was initially formed correctly. The cause of such a failure could be either serious illness, or trauma received during life.

Stages and symptoms

The clinical picture of lymphostasis consists of three stages. Their duration is strictly individual for each patient. The severity of the disease mainly depends on the timeliness of diagnosis and the degree of correctness of the chosen treatment tactics.

• The initial stage of the disease is called the stage of transient spontaneous edema. Lymphostasis begins with the presence of persistent progressive edema, which appears in the evening and disappears on its own by the morning. Without causing any pain, it leaves the patient with a feeling of “swelling” of the soft tissues. Edema at this stage is called soft, since pressing on the skin of the affected area leaves a small dimple on its surface. Due to their ability to resolve without the use of medication, they are also called “reversible”. The highly stretched skin of the affected areas is shiny and smooth. The disease caught at this stage responds well to conservative treatment.
• The progression of the disease leads to the stage of irreversible edema. The consistency of swollen tissue becomes dense. When palpating the affected areas, the patient may experience pain. Traces (small dimples) left after palpation, for a long time remain on the surface of the skin. Impaired blood circulation and lymph flow leads to inflammatory degeneration of soft tissues. The clinical picture of this stage is complemented by the presence of muscle cramps provoked by insufficient local blood supply. Special attention causes a change in color of the skin affected by swelling. Massive swelling, leading to significant stretching of the skin, often ends with cracking. This process is often joined bacterial infection, as evidenced by the presence of diffuse red spots that are hot to the touch. The growth of connective tissue leads to hardening of the skin and the formation of dense fibrous strands that firmly bind its upper layers to the subcutaneous fatty tissue. As a result, it cannot be shifted or folded.
• The last stage of lymphostasis is characterized by the development of irreversible elephantiasis. Severe irreversible edema leads to a significant increase in the size of the body area affected by the disease, the formation of contracture and the development of deforming osteoarthritis. As a result of developed induration (hardening) and fibrosis of soft tissues, the skin acquires a dark brown color. Lack of adequate treatment can lead to the formation of warty rashes and trophic ulcers, accompanied by the leakage of lymphatic fluid (lymphorrhea). Medical statistics have data on a number of deaths caused by generalized septic damage to the patient’s entire body.

Diagnostics

Having discovered the first signs of lymphedema, the patient should immediately consult a vascular surgeon, phlebologist (a doctor who deals with vein problems) or a lymphologist (a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the lymphatic system).

• If the disease has affected the lower extremities, an ultrasound scan of the pelvic and abdominal organs is prescribed.
• Lymphostasis of the arm requires x-ray examination chest cavity.
• To identify the exact location of the place where a block of lymphatic fluid has formed, a number of specific examinations are prescribed: X-ray lymphography, MRI, computed tomography, lymphoscintigraphy. Using these techniques, specialists obtain information about pathologies of the lymphatic bed, about a sharp dilation of lymphatic vessels (lymphangiectasia), identify the geography of areas of increased vascular tortuosity, and determine the degree of valvular insufficiency.
• At the diagnostic stage, lymphedema is differentiated from diseases with similar symptoms (such as postphlebitic syndrome and deep vein thrombosis), areas of increased hyperpigmentation are identified, and the presence of varicose veins and varicose eczema is noted.
• To exclude or identify venous pathologies, Doppler ultrasound (USDG) of the veins of the lower extremities is prescribed.

How to cure primary and secondary lymphostasis at home

Treatment of lymphostasis should pursue the following goals:

• stop the progression of the disease;
• restore metabolic processes in soft tissues;
• prevent possible complications.

• Drug treatment consists of taking tablets. Taking troxevasin, detralex and venoruton forte tablets will help normalize lymph circulation. To improve peripheral blood circulation, no-shpu and teonicol are prescribed. The medicine trental will help restore blood microcirculation.
• The diet for lymphostasis should be low-calorie and practically salt-free, since salt, which retains fluid in the body, only contributes to the progression of edema. The food of patients with lymphostasis should be rich in plant and animal proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids. You should limit your consumption of sweets, baked goods, pasta, and some types of cereals. But the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products is only welcome.
• Compression therapy comes down to wearing special compression garments with distributed pressure or regular bandaging of the affected limbs. For dressings, you can use an elastic bandage or special products made from medical knitwear. By promoting lymphatic drainage, these measures help to significantly reduce swelling.
• For lymphostasis, sessions of lymphatic drainage massage are required, combining deep massage of the lymph nodes with rhythmic and gentle stroking of the outer skin. After the massage, which lasts about an hour, it is recommended to apply a therapeutic bandage.
• Sessions are very useful for patients with lymphostasis physical therapy, swimming and Nordic walking.

Treatment of lower extremities

• Drug treatment of lymphostasis of the lower extremities is carried out with troxevasin and actovegin.
• Be sure to wear compression garments.
• A patient with lymphostasis of the legs is prescribed a subcalorie diet with a low content of table salt and limited carbohydrates.
• The use of medicinal leeches for lymphostasis helps reduce swelling, activate the immune system and renew the lymphatic fluid. The recommended frequency of treatment sessions is twice a week. No more than five leeches can be used at a time. Maximum duration course – twelve sessions. Breaks between courses are required. Only a trained specialist - a hirudotherapist - can perform hirudotherapy sessions.
• Treatment with leg lymphostasis is mandatory with exercises; running, swimming and cycling are useful.
• A course of manual lymphatic drainage massage will speed up recovery.

Hand treatment after mastectomy

In the vast majority (more than 70%) of cases, limostasis of the hand develops after surgical removal breast (mastectomy) and lymph nodes. Since the operation is the only way saving the life of a cancer patient, it is impossible to do without it.

As a result of the removal of lymph nodes, lymph begins to accumulate in the tissues of the shoulder area. Operated patients who perform a special set of therapeutic exercises manage to completely restore lymph circulation in their body.

Video massage that will be useful for arm lymphostasis:

Symptoms of arm lymphedema most often subside four weeks after surgery.

• Lymphostasis of the hand is treated with phlebotonics, immunostimulants, enzymes and angioprotectors.
• The most effective method The treatment for arm lymphostasis is lymphatic drainage massage, which you can do yourself. Raising the sore arm high and resting it against a vertical wall, with the other hand they begin to perform massage movements directed from the elbow to the shoulder, and then from the hand to the elbow. You need to massage smoothly, gently, but with some pressure. Comprehensive tissue processing must be carried out within five minutes.
• Compression hosiery, which promotes lymph drainage, also speeds up the healing process, so its wearing is recommended by leading experts.
• In modern clinics, treatment of arm lymphostasis is also carried out using laser therapy, muscle stimulation and magnetic therapy.

Erysipelas of the hand due to lymphedema

When an extremity affected by lymphostasis is infected with bacteria of the coccus group, erysipelas of tissue inflammation may develop, accompanied by high temperature, unbearable pain, redness of the skin.

In addition to the above drugs used in the treatment of arm lymphostasis, erysipelas requires the addition of local and systemic action. Thanks to them it is possible to stop the spread inflammatory process and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.

After a course of antibiotics, it is imperative to restore protective functions liver and intestinal function, taking lacto- and bifidobacteria and hepatoprotectors.

How to relieve swelling?

You can cope with swelling due to lymphostasis by:

• wearing compression stockings;
• regular self-massage aimed at contracting lymphatic vessels and thereby improving lymph flow;
• application of traditional medicine methods;
• completing a hardware massage course;
• hirudotherapy sessions;
• course of lymphatic drainage massage.

Video about lymphatic drainage massage for lymphostasis of the lower extremities:

With lymphostasis of the lower extremities, the affected legs should be elevated as often as possible. When resting at night, you should place a small pillow or an oblong cushion under them.

“How to remove chemicals from the body?” - a cancer patient repeatedly asks himself a question.

Rehabilitation after chemotherapy is a difficult and time-consuming process, it is a necessary measure for the human body, since the body is too weakened after this treatment.

To recover quickly, you will need to adjust your lifestyle, avoid bad habits, changes in diet, strict adherence to the prescriptions of rehabilitation doctors, the mood with which all this will be carried out is not least important. The support of loved ones and relatives will significantly lift the patient’s spirit.

A person diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm is weakened not only physically, but also morally, so most often the help of a psychotherapist and sanatorium treatment accompanied by herbal medicine are required.

Before you figure out how to quickly recover from a course of chemotherapy, you need to understand what causes intoxication and how it manifests itself.

Associated symptoms with chemotherapy

Cancer centers widely use new drugs that minimize the development of undesirable effects. Premedication is carried out that can protect the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract. Cytostatics, hormonal agents, and targeted therapy for breast cancer are being improved.

However, each organism is individual, the degree of cancer development, its metastases, age, and weight of the patient play a decisive role in the occurrence of side effects.

Frequent complaints are:

1. Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stool upset.
2. Malaise, headache, dizziness.
3. Impaired visual acuity.
4. Hair loss, disappearance of skin pigmentation.

This may be due to both chemotherapy treatment and existing ailments: gastritis, esophagitis, gastroduodenitis, colitis.

Immune suppression

The use of chemotherapy drugs does not leave its mark on human organs and tissues. Toxins accumulate during both cancer and treatment. Their removal is mandatory. Cell activity is suppressed with medications so that the growth and development of the tumor stops and its involution occurs.

However, against the background of tumor suppression, healthy cell forms- cells responsible for immunity.

Due to a weakened immune response, the patient has a high risk of developing severe complications from concomitant diseases. It would seem like simple bronchitis, ARVI, mild pneumonia degree is cured in 5-10 days, but in people who have undergone chemotherapy, the recovery time may not only be prolonged, but also severe consequences or relapse may occur.

Blood counts

Blood tests can be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment and overall health status. If a person has overcome the first stage - the primary reactions of chemotherapy, then after it comes the second - the stage of latent manifestations.

Undoubtedly, the indicators in the biochemical, clinical detailed (the number and degree of maturity of cells are indicated) blood test will change. There is a shift in the leukocyte formula towards less mature cells. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia occur. All this is associated with damage and death of blood growth in the bone marrow.

Manifestations may be: spontaneous bleeding of internal organs, the appearance of hematomas, edema, infiltration and tissue destruction, disturbance in cellular structure the lining mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as all tissues that are constantly dividing.

In order for blood cells to be restored, replacement therapy is used in medicine in the form of transfusion of washed red blood cells, platelet mass, fresh frozen plasma, bone marrow transplant.

Infectious agents

There are pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora in the human body. Conditionally pathogenic is a set of bacteria and viruses that contribute to the normal functioning of organs, but only at a certain titer.

If the amount exceeds the norm, unwanted changes occur. So after chemical therapy, fungi are activated, and candidiasis occurs.

Staphylococcus multiplies and settles in certain areas of the vascular wall - inflammation, necrosis, and the formation of microcracks in capillaries and arterioles appear. As a result, sepsis develops.

Normally, platelets participate in the hemostatic process; their layering on each other clogs the bleeding site. However, they do not have high selectivity and are able to settle in narrow spaces of blood vessels, areas of inflammation, fatty infiltration - thrombosis occurs.

Care should be taken to elevated temperature, even if she is low-grade. Perhaps this is evidence of a developing inflammatory infectious process, in which fungi, viruses, and bacteria may participate.

Therefore, monitoring your health status is very important, as well as following the doctor’s recommendations, which can be carried out not only in a hospital hospital, but also at home.

Recovery after chemotherapy

Most often, patients for whom the medication, dosage is individually selected, are given premedication to protect organs that may be negatively affected active ingredients chemicals, no rehabilitation required.

If the therapy was performed urgently, “without wasting time,” despite serious condition health, as well as psychoneurological status, then such people require restoration.

In a hospital setting they use:

1. Installation of enteral tubes for severe cachexia.
2. Hemosorption, plasmasorption.
3. Installation of cystostomy, nephrostomy.
4. Percutaneous, transhepatic drainage in case of jaundice.
5. Hematopoiesis stimulants. Transfusion of blood components.
6. Pain therapy (narcotic analgesics).

Nutrition

Basic recovery after severe chemotherapy at home provides a special regimen of life and nutrition, including good sleep, walks in the fresh air. Food must be balanced in the content of proteins, vitamins, microelements, only in this case strength will be restored.

To remove toxic substances, the diet must be filled with fruits, vegetables (raw/stewed), all types of fermented milk products; it relieves the symptoms of poisoning by binding free radicals and tissue breakdown products.

Useful: chicken and quail eggs (acceptable raw, if there is no pathology associated with the gastrointestinal tract), lean poultry and fish, beef, veal, rabbit, cereals.

Nutrition for a weakened human body should be in small portions; this is important, since cell functions are restored slowly and an aversion to food may develop. Frequent use is important - up to 6-7 times a day.

You will have to forget about sauces, canned products, smoked, spicy, pickled. This type of food retains fluid in the body, and swelling occurs, stress on the heart muscle and kidneys. Compliance drinking regime– drink water/juice/freshly prepared compote per day at the rate of 35 ml per 1 kg of weight.

Spa treatment

Complete care and attentiveness medical personnel, psycho-emotional relief will help relieve stress in an oncology patient.

It is important to select the optimal sanatorium with special programs recovery, courses psychological support for this category of people. Personal selection climatic conditions, thermal springs are welcome.

Therapeutic physical culture

Complexes of exercise therapy, physiotherapy, water hardening will strengthen the immune system, improve lymphatic drainage function, thus, chemical compounds and substrates of tumor decay are eliminated faster.

Sports activities in the form of cardio exercise and gymnastics will improve physical condition. The intensity of the load is selected strictly individually by a specialist.

Phytotherapy

Recipes that are widely used include steamed oats in milk, an infusion of flax seeds, an infusion of aloe leaves minced through a meat grinder.

Plants of plantain, lungwort, peppermint, linden cordate, nettle, birch buds - promote cellular regeneration, restoration of secretion, gastric and intestinal motility, and have healing properties for the gastrointestinal mucosa and female genital organs.

Inclusion in the diet:

• grenade(choleretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect);
• sesame(contains large number calcium, vitamin B12);
• tea with lemon balm(acts as an antinausea, antiemetic);

Drugs alternative medicine help improve the body's condition and eliminate pathological symptoms. They should be taken in combination with the main therapy and only after consulting the treating doctor.