Chemo|Chemotherapy and Cancer.
Chemo in short, stands for chemical and therapy is treatment – meaning treatment of cancer with chemicals or drugs. Therefore, chemotherapy is treating cancer with drugs. Chemotherapy treatment is very often referred to as “chemo” in short.
It is given either by admitting the patient to a hospital or can be given to an outdoor patient (non admitted patient) who will then be sent home after the doctor has satisfied himself about any possible side effects.
Chemotherapy Treatment.
How does chemotherapy work?
Cancer drugs used in cancer chemotherapy stop the fast growing cells from growing. They do this by interfering with cell division. This is done by destroying the proteins involved in cell division or by specifically destroying the DNA of fast growing cells in the body.
However with cancer cells, the normal cells of the body are also damaged. It is this damage to normal cells which cause side effects like hair loss and a feeling of sickness. But the normal cells do repair their DNA damage while cancer cells cannot.
Aims of Chemotherapy.
A combination chemotherapy of two or more chemotherapy drugs is usually given for better results. By better results we mean
- Relief from cancer symptoms.
- Slowing down cancer growth and its spread.
- Kills all cancer cells in the body including those that have spread.
- Sometimes chemotherapy is given before cancer surgery or cancer radiation to shrink the tumor. This called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
- At times, chemo is given after surgery or radiation to kill any remaining cancer cells. This is called adjuvant chemotherapy.
- Works in conjunction with other forms of cancer treatments to enhance their effect for better results.
- Sometimes chemotherapy is given with aim of reducing the severity of the cancer symptoms. It is not given as a curing agent. This type of chemotherapy is called palliative chemotherapy.
Choosing a Chemotherapy Drug.
There are close to a hundred chemotherapy drugs. The cancer specialist’s choice of a cancer drug and its dosage depends on the following factors:
- General condition of the patient including age.
- Any other illness such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease.
- Type of cancer.
- Stage of cancer.
- Whether it is a first time cancer or a recurring cancer.
Besides choice of the right cancer drug, choosing the right dosage is important for best results. Here the skill and experience of your cancer specialist plays an important part.
Routes of Administration of Chemotherapy Drugs.
Chemotherapy can be given in the following ways:
- Orally, in the form of pills, capsules or liquids.
- By injection through the intra muscular route.
- By injection through the arterial route.
- By injection through the intra venous route.
- By injection into the peritoneum. ( membrane cavity covering the abdomen).
- Chemotherapy cancer drugs are also available for topical application on the skin.
Chemotherapy doses are administered after sufficient intervals to allow the healthy cells that have been damaged, to repair or recover. However, there may be a change in your chemotherapy cycles if your doctor feels so, after evaluating the side effects.
It is necessary that you be accompanied when you go for chemotherapy. Never drive the vehicle yourself back, after a chemotherapy session. Take the chemotherapy day and the day after off, from work and take rest.
Next: Side Effects of Chemotherapy.
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