Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy are type of drugs used to treat cancer. They eliminate cancer cells by preventing them from multiplying, dividing, and forming new cells. This treatment can address a variety of cancers, and your doctor may refer to it as standard, conventional, or cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy has a systemic effect, meaning it travels through the bloodstream and affects the entire body. These drugs are typically powerful chemicals that target cancer cells at specific stages of their cell cycle. Since cancer cells replicate more quickly than normal cells, chemotherapy tends to be more effective on them.
Generally they are planned in fixed intervals of 7, 14, 21 or 28 days so that normal cells with better repair mechanism are recovered and cancer cells continue to die.
Why chemotherapy
- Curative therapy: Aims to completely eradicate cancer and prevent its recurrence, often combined with surgery or radiation.
- Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy used after surgery or radiation to help treat cancer.
- Neoadjuvant therapy: Administered before surgery or radiation to shrink tumors.
- Palliative therapy: Reduces tumor size and alleviates symptoms when cancer cannot be cured.
Chemotherapy Treatment
- Infusions: The most common method, involving drug administration through a vein in the arm or chest.
- Tablets or pills: Some chemotherapy drugs are available in oral form.
- Injections: Administered intravenously, intramuscular or subcutaneous like a shot.
Benefits of Chemotherapy
- Improves Quality of life by decreasing symptoms.
- Prolongs lifespan by controlling cancer.
- Increase chances of cure by preventing recurrence.
Side effects of Chemotherapy
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Hypersensitivity
- Weak immune system
What are Chemotherapy Drugs?
There are many chemotherapy drugs, which work by targeting cancer cells at different stages of their life cycle. Using a combination of these drugs can improve treatment efficacy.
- Alkylating agents
- Antimetabolites
- Anti-tumor antibiotics
- Topoisomerase inhibitors
- Mitotic inhibitors
- Plant alkaloids
Side Effects Of Chemotherapy
- Hair loss
- Excessive bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Breathing issues
- Mouth sores
- Hypersensitivity
- Weak immune system
Subtypes of therapy
- Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy used after surgery or radiation to help treat cancer.
- Curative therapy: Aims to completely eradicate cancer and prevent its recurrence, often combined with surgery or radiation.
- Neoadjuvant therapy: Administered before surgery or radiation to shrink tumors.
- Palliative therapy:Reduces tumor size and alleviates symptoms when cancer cannot be cured.
Cancer Treated with therapy
- Primary cancer: Cancer that remains in its original location and has not spread.
- Metastasized cancer: Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Various factors, such as the cancer’s location and stage, influence how well a patient responds to chemotherapy.
Benefits of Chemotherapy
- Reduces tumor size or halts growth: This can extend life and relieve symptoms.
- Makes surgery possible: In some cases, chemotherapy can shrink tumors enough to make them operable.
- Prevents recurrence: Post-surgery chemotherapy can reduce the risk of cancer returning.
Benefits of Chemotherapy
- Reduces tumor size or halts growth: This can extend life and relieve symptoms.
- Makes surgery possible: In some cases, chemotherapy can shrink tumors enough to make them operable.
- Prevents recurrence: Post-surgery chemotherapy can reduce the risk of cancer returning.
Downside of Chemotherapy
- Side effects:Chemotherapy can cause both short-term and long-term adverse effects.
- Frequent hospital visits: Regular treatment sessions, check-ups, and tests can be exhausting.
- Varied effectiveness: Chemotherapy’s impact varies among individuals and may not work for everyone.
Downside of Chemotherapy
- Side effects:Chemotherapy can cause both short-term and long-term adverse effects.
- Frequent hospital visits: Regular treatment sessions, check-ups, and tests can be exhausting.
- Varied effectiveness: Chemotherapy’s impact varies among individuals and may not work for everyone.
Chemotherapy Treatment Methods
- Infusions: The most common method, involving drug administration through a vein in the arm or chest.
- Tablets or pills: Some chemotherapy drugs are available in oral form.
- Injections: Administered intravenously like a shot.
- Topical creams: Used for certain skin cancers.
- Targeted delivery: Drugs can be delivered directly to a specific body part, such as the abdomen (intraperitoneal), chest cavity (intrapleural), or central nervous system (intrathecal).
- Direct application: Chemotherapy can be applied directly to the tumor or surgical site.
Side Effects Of Chemotherapy
- Hair loss
- Excessive bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Breathing issues
- Mouth sores
- Hypersensitivity
- Weak immune system
Chemotherapy Drugs
There are over 100 chemotherapy drugs, which work by targeting cancer cells at different stages of their life cycle. Using a combination of these drugs can improve treatment efficacy.
- Alkylating agents
- Antimetabolites
- Anti-tumor antibiotics
- Topoisomerase inhibitors
- Mitotic inhibitors
- Plant alkaloids
Precautions During Chemotherapy
- Avoid public places.
- Don’t overexert yourself.
- Have nutritious diet with sufficient proteins and calories.
- Be aware of red flag symptoms like fever, diarrhoea, vomitting.
- Wash hands with warm water and soap, dry with paper towels.
Do’s during treatment
- Avoid public places.
- Don’t overexert yourself.
- Have nutritious diet with sufficient proteins and calories.
- Be aware of red flag symptoms like fever, diarrhoea, vomitting.
- Wash hands with warm water and soap, dry with paper towels.
Dont’s During the Treatment
- Avoid large meals.
- Stay away from people with infections.
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will chemotherapy hurt?
Most patients experience minimal discomfort. You may feel mild fatigue or nausea, but medications are available to control side effects.
Will I lose my hair?
Some drugs cause temporary hair loss, but hair usually regrows within a few months after treatment ends.
Can I work during chemotherapy?
Many patients continue light work or daily activities depending on how they feel. Your oncologist can help plan your schedule.
Is chemotherapy safe?
Yes. All protocols at Oncowin follow international standards, with strict infection control and safety checks at every step.
How long does each session take?
Typically 1–6 hours depending on the regimen. At Oncowin, treatments are mostly day-care based.