1. Chemotherapy uses drugs, or chemicals, to kill rapidly dividing cells. These cells include both cancer cells and healthy cells. 

化疗用药物或化学物来杀死分裂迅速的细胞。这些细胞既包括癌细胞又包括健康细胞。

2. Unlike radiation, which targets a specific part of the body, chemotherapy affects the entire body. Most chemotherapy is given as a combination of drugs that work together to kill as many cancer cells as possible. 

化疗与放疗不同，放疗目标针对的是身体的特定部位，而化疗影响整个身体。大多数化疗使用药物的组合，一起作用来杀死尽可能多的癌细胞。

3. During intravenous or IV chemotherapy, a thin needle is inserted into a vein, typically in the hand or lower arm, and removed at the end of the session. 

在静脉注射化疗中，一根细针插入通常是手上或前臂的静脉，结束时把针拔去。

4. This type of chemotherapy can also be delivered into the body through catheters, or tubes; an entry port in the skin created by your doctor; and special pumps.

这种化疗也可通过导管或管子、医生在皮肤上开的输入口，或专门的输液泵，把药物输入身体。

5. Since all of your cells are affected during chemotherapy, it’s important to understand that some healthy cells will be affected by the treatment as well. 

由于身体的所有细胞都受到化疗的影响，所以，重要的是认识到一些健康细胞也会受到治疗的影响。

6. This usually happens with bone marrow, which produces blood cells. During that process, the blood cells divide quickly, making them a target of chemodrugs. 

这种情况通常发生于生产血细胞的骨髓。在此过程中，血细胞迅速分裂，使之成为化疗药物的标靶。

7. One of the most serious potential side effects is a low count of white blood cells—a condition called neutropenia. 

White blood cells help your body fight infection by protecting against foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. 

最严重的潜在副作用之一是白细胞计数低，这种情况称为中性白细胞减少症。白细胞通过保护人体抗细菌和病毒之类的异物入侵，帮助人体抗感染。

8. Another side effect of chemotherapy is anemia, which is the scientific name for a low red blood cell count.  A low red blood cell count may cause you to feel fatigued or sluggish because there isn't enough oxygen circulating throughout the body.

化疗的另一个副作用是贫血。贫血是科学名称，指红细胞计数低。红细胞计数低可能使你感觉疲乏或怠倦，因为没有足够的氧循环通过全身。

9. Your doctor will monitor your blood count throughout treatment to look for these conditions and treat them as necessary. 

医生会在整个治疗期间监测你的血细胞计数，注意这些情况，并在必要时给予治疗。

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