Chemotherapy is one of the most common cancer treatment modalities. It uses drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. These medications target rapidly dividing cells and interfere with their ability to divide, grow, and spread.
In contrast to localized treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy, which only focus on the tumor or the organ that is affected by cancer, chemotherapy works systemically, i.e., it targets the entire body and kills cancer cells throughout the body. Thus, it is generally the treatment of choice for patients diagnosed with cancer that has a higher chance of spreading to other organs or has already metastasized.
Chemotherapy may be recommended as primary treatment, may be used in combination with other therapies, or may be prescribed to manage the symptoms in patients with advanced-stage cancer.
Some of the types of chemotherapy are:
It aims to treat cancer as a primary treatment. It may be combined with other treatments, such as radiation therapy or surgery.
It is administered after the primary treatments, such as surgery, to kill the remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
It increases the efficacy of the primary treatment. It is done before surgery or radiation therapy to reduce the size of the tumor so that the primary treatment (surgery or radiotherapy) can easily eliminate the tumor.
It does not treat cancer but manages the symptoms caused by it. It is usually administered to patients with advanced-stage cancers.
Chemotherapy can be administered in various ways based on the type of cancer, the specific drugs used, and the patient's overall health. The main methods include:
It is one of the most common methods, wherein the drug is injected into the vein through a port, catheter, or pump.
It may be administered as capsules, tablets, or in liquid form. It is convenient as it allows patients to take their medications at home.
The chemo drugs may also be administered directly under the skin (subcutaneous) or into the muscles (intramuscular).
It is generally recommended in patients diagnosed with limb or liver cancers. The technique involves administering the drug directly into the arteries, supplying blood to the cancerous tumor.
This technique involves delivering the drug directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, and it is prescribed to manage brain and spinal cord cancers.
It is a treatment option for certain types of skin cancer. The drug is applied to the skin to kill the cancer cells.
This technique involves directly delivering chemo drugs into the abdominal cavity to treat various peritoneal cancers, such as ovarian cancer. HIPEC and PIPAC are the two types of intraperitoneal chemotherapy approaches.
Chemotherapy is a versatile treatment option used for various types of cancer, including:
Certain types of brain tumors are treated with chemotherapy. The chemo drugs may be administered intrathecally, intravenously, or orally.
Chemotherapy is one of the commonly recommended treatments for different head and neck cancers, namely oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, salivary gland cancer, and thyroid cancer. Chemotherapy for head and neck cancers is often administered in combination with other treatments.
Treatment plans for lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymus gland cancer (thymoma) include chemotherapy as one of the main treatment options. This treatment approach contributes to better clinical outcomes for patients with thoracic cancers.
Breast cancer treatment plans often involve chemo as one of the treatments. Chemotherapy for breast cancer may be administered before the surgery or after the surgery, depending on individual case parameters.
All major GI cancers, namely esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, gallbladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and anal cancer, can be treated with chemo in combination with other cancer treatments.
Gynecological cancers often demand a multimodal treatment plan, which involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. This treatment approach helps in destroying residual cancer cells and improving the overall effectiveness of the treatment. Different gynecological cancers that can be treated with chemotherapy include ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, uterine (endometrial) cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer.
Personalized treatment plans involving chemotherapy can positively impact the clinical outcomes of patients with urological cancers. Different urological cancers that can be treated with this treatment include adrenal cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, urethral cancer, penile cancer, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer.
Different types of orthopedic cancers, namely osteosarcoma, ewing sarcoma, chordoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and more, are treated with a multimodal treatment plan involving chemotherapy. This treatment approach often plays an important role in improving the clinical outcomes for orthopedic cancer cases.
Chemotherapy is the first line of treatment for blood cancers, as they are best managed with systemic treatments. Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma patients can achieve excellent clinical outcomes with this treatment approach.
Your expert team will initially explain the entire treatment process and will be there to guide you at every step. The most important steps involved in chemotherapy treatment are:
Patients should discuss the details of their chemotherapy regimen with their oncologists. This may include the types of drugs, their frequency, method of administration, and expected outcomes of the ff.
Patients should also obtain information related to the side effects of the treatment and how to manage them, as well as the chemotherapy cost.
Some chemotherapy medications, especially those under patents, are expensive.
Several organizations provide financial assistance to help cover the chemotherapy treatment cost. It is important to discuss the available assistance with the consultant.
Patients should also ask if their current insurance plan covers the price of the drugs and other costs related to treatment.
Patients diagnosed with cancer should understand the overall cost of their treatment. They should develop a budget or seek financial advice to ease the financial burden.
Patients may also inform their employers about the treatment schedule and ask for flexible working hours.
Following the doctor's advice for managing side effects is important.
Most side effects are managed through medications. Patients should also take proper nutrition, stay hydrated, and get sufficient rest during treatment.
Patients should establish a treatment routine, preparing well in advance for each session. Arranging for transportation may also be necessary.
Accompanying family members or friends can provide valuable emotional support during this time.
Patients may receive chemotherapy at the clinic, hospital, or home. During chemotherapy treatment, patients can expect the following:
Patients undergo a comprehensive health assessment, which may include blood tests and an evaluation of overall health. The doctor determines the appropriate dose and schedule.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy involves a surgical procedure where tissues are removed and chemo drugs are administered into the abdomen. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy involves a surgical procedure where tissues are removed and chemo drugs are administered into the abdomen.
During chemotherapy, patients are closely monitored for any side effects. Vital signs, like blood pressure and temperature, are checked regularly.
Post-treatment care is essential to manage side effects and prepare the body for the next session. Doctors provide instructions for managing side effects, which patients should strictly follow.
The clinical trial that you will be a part of should be thoroughly explained to you before you consent to take part in it.
This should include information about:
Various factors affect the duration of chemotherapy, such as the type and stage of cancer, the patient's overall health, the response to the treatment, and the types of drugs used.
Chemotherapy is usually administered in cycles, with each cycle lasting between 2 and 6 weeks.
The treatment is divided into various cycles based on the type of cancer and its severity. The treatment usually lasts 3 to 6 months but may sometimes be prolonged.
Chemotherapy drugs are classified based on their mechanism of action and chemical structure:
These drugs damage the DNA of cancer cells and prevent division. They are used to treat various cancers.
These drugs interfere with cell replication. They are generally used to treat leukemia.
Several enzymes are involved in DNA synthesis in tumor cells. Anti-tumor antibiotics disrupt these enzymes. These drugs are used to treat lung, breast, and blood cancers.
These drugs interfere with the topoisomerase enzyme, which plays an important role during cell division. They are effective in managing leukemia and other cancers.
Chemotherapy offers several significant benefits in the fight against cancer:
It may be a primary treatment for some cancers and lead to a complete cure.
It also enhances the efficacy of other treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy.
As an adjuvant therapy, it reduces the risk of cancer recurrence.
It may also be recommended as part of palliative care in patients with advanced-stage cancers. It shrinks the tumor, manages symptoms, and improves the patient's overall quality of life.
Common chemotherapy side effects are:
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. It may persist even after the treatment is completed.
These are also common side effects of chemotherapy. However, they can be managed with medications in most patients.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience hair loss due to the drugs' effect on hair follicles. However, the hair regrows after the treatment stops.
As chemotherapy weakens the immune system, patients undergoing this therapy are vulnerable to infections.
Chemotherapy reduces red blood cell and platelet counts, leading to bleeding, bruising, and fatigue.
Chemotherapy can result in sores or ulcers in the mouth, making it difficult for patients to eat and swallow.
Patients may experience depression, anxiety, and stress. Emotional and psychological support is important.
HCG Cancer Centre is one of the premier institutes that delivers healthcare services related to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The center has advanced facilities, such as the availability of dedicated drug mixing cabinets and a broad spectrum of chemo drugs, along with a large team of experienced doctors and paramedical staff to administer chemotherapy.
Post-chemotherapy services, which involve managing side effects and providing psychological and emotional support, are also provided to the patients.
Chemotherapy is a common treatment modality for patients diagnosed with cancer. It involves delivering drugs, either orally or through injection, to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.
It may be administered alone or with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy. It may be curative or used to manage the symptoms as a part of palliative care. Several types of medications are available that work on different stages of the cell cycle.