Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to 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.
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.
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 while taking the chemotherapy
- After therapy, stay away from bodily fluid contact.
- Avoid going over your limits.
- Keep an infection at bay.
- If possible, use a separate toilet or sit down when using the toilet to lessen the danger of liquids splashing.
Instead of hand washing, use a washing machine, warm water, and laundry detergent to clean your clothes, fabrics, and beds. - Separately from other objects, wash any material that has been exposed to bodily fluids.
Hands should be washed with warm water and soap, then dried with paper towels
Post-chemotherapy Care
Follow-up care is crucial after treatment. This includes managing long-term side effects and monitoring for new ones through regular physical exams and diagnostic tests.
- Avoid contact with bodily fluids post-treatment.
- Don’t overexert yourself.
- Prevent infections.
- Use a separate toilet if possible, or sit down to avoid splashing.
- Use a washing machine for clothes exposed to bodily fluids.
- Wash hands with warm water and soap, dry with paper towels.
Do’s during treatment
- Stay hydrated.
- Maintain proper hygiene.
- Use sunscreen when outdoors.
Dont’s During the Treatment
- Avoid large meals.
- Stay away from people with infections.
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Questions: Navigate Our Frequently Asked Questions Section
Cancer is a death Sentence?
More than 100 different medicines are used in chemotherapy for cancer. Despite the fact that all chemotherapy medications cause cell death, they target certain cell types at various points in the cell cycle. Combining medications that harm the cancer cell in several ways can improve the efficacy of the treatment.
If someone in my family has cancer, am I likely to get cancer, too?
Answer
Older people are not fit for cancer treatment ?
Answer
Will eating sugar make my cancer worse?
Answer