Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment. Also known as “chemo,” it’s one of many cancer treatments that make use of medications against different types of cancer. Other therapies that use drugs include:
- Hormone therapy or medicines which block certain cancers from receiving the hormones that they need to develop.
- Immunotherapy or medications which help your immune system fight cancer.
- The term “targeted therapy” refers to drugs that alter the way cancer cells grow and behave.
Medical oncologists oversee the treatment. They are healthcare professionals who specialize in chemotherapy as well as other cancer-fighting medications. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction in conjunction with surgeries as well as the radiation treatment to fight cancer.
What is the process of chemotherapy?
Cancer cells multiply and divide in uncontrollable ways. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells and stops the cancer cells from multiplying.
Chemotherapy can be utilized in many ways:
- Treatment adjuvant to chemotherapy:Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells following radiation therapy or surgery.
- Therapy for cure:Chemotherapy is the only treatment. It can cure cancer.
- Neoadjuvant therapyChemotherapy reduces the size of a tumor prior to the procedure or radiation therapy.
- Therapy for palliative care:Chemotherapy shrinks tumors and decreases symptoms, but doesn’t cure cancer.
What kinds of cancers do chemotherapy treat?
Chemotherapy can be used to treat a diverse variety of cancers, including:
- Primary cancer which is a cancer type that is not spreading to other parts in the body.
- Metastatic cancer , or cancer that has spread to other parts in the body.
The kind of chemotherapy you will receive will be based on a variety of variables:
- The site for the tumor.
- The stage of cancer or how advanced the cancer is.
- Your general health.
PROCEDURE SPECIFICATIONS
What is the procedure for receiving chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is typically systemic. This means that it circulates across the whole body. Chemotherapy that is systemic can be given:
- as an injection or shot.
- Intravenously or via one of the veins as”infusion “infusion.”
- Taken orally either in a tablet or liquid you take in.
- On the top, as a cream which you rub onto your skin.
Certain cancers aren’t able to respond to chemotherapy that is systemic. In some instances there may be a need for chemotherapy targeted to a particular part in your body by the best oncologist in mumbai. Examples include:
- Intra-arterial chemotherapywhich is an artery in one that is able to supply blood to tumors.
- Intracavitary chemotherapy that is injected directly into the body cavity such as the belly or bladder. One type is called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). It places heated chemotherapy into the abdomen after surgery.
- Intrathecal chemotherapy that is a procedure that targets the the spinal cord and the brain.
What is the procedure for intravenous chemotherapy?
The most popular method to administer chemotherapy is via intravenously. Chemotherapy is able to enter directly into the vein via an:
- Needle, usually located in your arm.
- Catheter the thin flexible tube connected to the vein (usually within the chest).
- Port an extremely small disk placed under the skin. The catheter connects to the port for the delivery of chemotherapy. Port placement is a simple procedure.
Catheters and ports can be helpful for those who require several sessions of chemotherapy. They eliminate the requirement to keep needle sticks within your arm. Your doctor may also utilize catheters and ports to give you other medicines. This could include antibiotics or antiemetics (medications to stop nausea or vomiting).
The quantity of chemotherapy you get is typically controlled by the use of a pump. The pump connects to a port or catheter.
How long will chemotherapy treatments take?
The duration of a cancer treatment is contingent on the type of chemotherapy you are receiving. It could take between a few minutes and several hours. Some patients require an infusion continuously, which could last for several days. Continuous infusions can be initiated at the infusion center or hospital and then continued at home.
The majority of patients require multiple sessions of chemotherapy. It’s possible to receive weekly, daily or even monthly treatments.