CHEMOTHERAPY: TYPES, TREATMENT, AND SIDE EFFECTS!

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a medical procedure that employs medications to either eliminate or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It frequently works in tandem with other cancer therapies including surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy medications can be administered orally or intravenously, entering the bloodstream and travelling throughout the body to eradicate cancer cells wherever they may be.

Patients who receive chemotherapy treatments may endure side effects such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and exhaustion since these medications can also harm healthy cells. The type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s general health and other medical conditions, will determine the precise chemotherapy medications and treatment strategy.

Types of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy medications come in a wide variety of forms and are categorized in various ways. Below are some of the most typical chemotherapy regimens:

1. Alkylating Agents: These medications function by introducing an alkyl group to DNA, which prevents cancer cells from replicating. Cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, and busulfan are a few examples.
   
2. Antimetabolites: These medications imitate the components of DNA and RNA, disrupting cancer cells’ ability to operate normally. Methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and are a few examples.
   
3. Anthracyclines: These medications function by obstructing the activity of an enzyme required for the replication of cancer cells. Doxorubicin and epirubicin are two examples.
   
4. Topoisomerase Inhibitors: These medications prevent the action of topoisomerases, which are essential for DNA replication. Irinotecan and etoposide are two examples.
   
5. Mitotic Inhibitors: These medications act by preventing cell division. Paclitaxel and docetaxel are two examples.
   
6. Platinum Compounds: By attaching to DNA, these medications stop cancer cells from proliferating. Cisplatin and carboplatin are two examples.
   
7. Monoclonal Antibodies: These medicines, which are referred to as targeted therapies, specifically target the proteins on the outer layer of cancer cells. Trastuzumab and rituximab are two examples.

Also Read: What You Need To Know Chemotherapy?

The Stage Of Cancer At Which Chemotherapy Is Used

Depending on the type of cancer and its stage of development, chemotherapy may be administered at various stages of cancer treatment. The Chemotherapy centre in Navi Mumbai states that in order to make a tumour smaller and easier to remove, chemotherapy may occasionally be administered prior to surgery.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy denotes this. In some instances, chemotherapy may be used following surgery to eradicate any cancer cells that remained and lower the likelihood of the disease returning. The term for this is adjuvant chemotherapy.

For some cancer types, especially those that have spread past their original site, chemotherapy can also be employed as the main treatment. Chemotherapy is used in these situations to kill cancer cells throughout the body and inhibit or stop the spread of the disease.

An oncologist, who focuses on treating cancer, is often part of the healthcare team that decides whether to use chemotherapy and when to administer it. The particular course of treatment will depend on the type and stage of cancer, the patient’s general health, and any other medical disorders.

Treatment Methods Post Chemotherapy

According to an Oncologist in Navi Mumbai, the subsequent course of treatment following chemotherapy is determined by the type of cancer being treated and the patient’s response to the chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be able to totally eradicate cancer in rare situations, leaving the patient free from further treatment. In some situations, extra therapy could be required to guarantee that every cancer cell is eliminated and stop the disease from coming back. Following chemotherapy, these typical next steps are listed:

1. Surgery: To remove the tumour, if the cancer is limited and has not progressed to other body parts, surgery may be advised.
   
2. Radiation Therapy: This involves killing cancer cells with high-energy radiation. It can be used either on its own or in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery.
   
3. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is administering medications that support the body’s immune system in identifying and eliminating cancer cells.
   
4. Targeted Therapy: When used to treat certain types of cancer, targeted therapy includes administering medications that specifically target chemicals or proteins in cancer cells.
   
5. Hormone Therapy: Hormone treatment is used to treat tumours including breast and prostate cancer that are susceptible to hormones. Hormone treatment stops the hormones that promote the growth of cancer cells from being produced or acting, which is how it works.

The type of cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient’s general condition, and other considerations will determine which treatment should be used following chemotherapy. Together, you and your oncologist will create a treatment strategy that is personalised for your unique requirements.