Chemotherapy: Uses, Types, Procedure & Side Effects

Chemotherapy is a medication treatment that utilizes aggressive drugs to kill developing cancer cells in the body. It is used to treat malignant cancer growth since diseased cells develop and increase substantially, quicker than most cells in the body. Various chemotherapy drugs are available depending upon the disease. Chemotherapy medication can be utilized alone or in combination with other drugs to treat a wide variety of malignancies. An individual will regularly have chemotherapy as a component of a general therapy plan, which may incorporate a surgery and radiation treatment as well. These therapies though productive most of the time, their adequacy depends upon the phase of the malignant growth. Talking to one’s specialist will assist the patient to know more about chemotherapy and what all it incorporates.

Types of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be used alone or with other means of cancer treatment, including:

• Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Chemotherapy done before the surgery or radiation treatment to contract tumour.
• Adjuvant chemotherapy: Chemotherapy done after the surgery or radiation treatment to obliterate the excess malignant growth cells.

Treatment goals of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment depends on the type of cancer you are suffering from and the stage of the disease. The goals are as follows:

• Cure: At times, the therapy can annihilate malignancy cells to the point that your specialist will not be able to identify them in your body. From that point onwards, what needs to be ensured that they never develop back again, that usually does not happen.
• Control: Sometimes, it might just hold back the disease from spreading to other parts of the body or moderate the development of malignancy tumours.
• Ease symptoms: In a few cases, chemotherapy cannot fix or control the spread of malignant growth and is just used to shrivel tumours that cause discomfort or pressure. These tumours may keep on growing back.

Chemotherapy attacks cells that develop and segregate rapidly as disease cells do. In contrast to radiation or surgery which target explicit regions, chemotherapy can work throughout the body.

How does chemotherapy work?

There are many chemotherapies (medicines acting against disease) with diverse ways through which they act. Chemotherapy may work as follows:

• Alkylating agents: They decrease the propagation of DNA’s harmful effects (mutations) and are used in various malignancies such as those of lung, breast, ovaries, blood and Hodgkin’s infection, myeloma and sarcoma.
• Antimetabolites: It restricts the development of harmful cells containing DNA and RNA. They are usually used to treat leukaemias and GI malignancy.
• Anti-tumour antibiotics: They influence the division of malignant DNA by meddling with the chemicals of DNA duplication.
• Mitotic inhibitors & topoisomerase inhibitors: They disable the cell division process of the cancer cells.

You may also take other cancer battling drugs alongside chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be taken as pills or shots. Visit a hospital or medical clinic to take medications through an IV, what specialists call an infusion. To assist your body in recapturing strength and develop new, solid cells, you may ingest medications over half a month. Dosage must be taken consistently. It relies upon the kind of cancer you have and how extreme it is.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Side effects of chemotherapy can include:

• Bruises and extreme bleeding
• Mouth ulcers or dry mouth
• Fatigue/fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Infections, anaemia, constipation
• Changes in skin, nails
• Lymphedema, neuropathy
• Sexual and fertility changes

Usually, the above-mentioned side effects diminish with time as your health progresses after the treatment.

There are many side effects which may affect the body in the long run as well, these can include damage to:

• Kidneys
• Heart
• Lungs
• Nerves
• Reproductive system

How to prepare for chemotherapy?

Prepare prior to starting your treatment. Your specialist will assist you in expected potential issues relating to the treatment.

Also, before you start the treatment, you will go through a progression of tests to help decide whether you are sound enough for chemotherapy or not. This will incorporate assessments of your heart and blood tests to decide the soundness of your liver.

These tests will also assist in directing your oncologist in choosing which kinds of chemotherapy to use in your treatment.

Your specialist may also suggest you to visit your dental specialist. Since chemotherapy influences your body’s capacity to recuperate, any disease in your gums or teeth might actually spread throughout your body.

Your specialist may introduce a port if you are getting chemotherapy through an intravenous (IV) line. (A port is a gadget embedded in your body, ordinarily in your chest and close to your shoulder. This involves simpler admittance to your veins and is less excruciating. During every treatment, the IV will be embedded into your port.)

What is the cost of chemotherapy in Delhi NCR & Ghaziabad?

Chemotherapy may be expensive as it involves heavy machines and services of healthcare professionals. The type of radiotherapy you receive and the number of treatments you need will decide the cost of chemotherapy.

Contact us to know about the cost of chemotherapy at Yashoda Cancer Institute, Sanjay Nagar Ghaziabad. Call now at +91- 9871905353.

Looking for best hospital, Doctors & specialists for chemotherapy in Delhi NCR?

Chemotherapy is a complex procedure and needs the expertise of specialists. At Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital & Cancer Institute, Sanjay Nagar, Ghaziabad, we have the best team of oncologists. Our experts in this field include:

Dr. (Maj. Gen.) B.N. Kapur– Our ex-army and Tata Memorial Hospital trained medical oncologist; he has an experience of more than 30 years in the field of medical oncology. One of the best medical oncologists in the country, he is the best chemotherapist you are looking for.

Dr. Jyoti Anand Gupta, our consultant, medical oncology is also trained in the field of chemotherapy with experience of more than 10 years.