Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a method of treating malignant tumors using chemicals—cytostatics. They affect fast-growing cells, including cancer cells, which leads to their death.

Treatment with chemotherapy can be carried out either alone or in combination with other methods, such as surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy.

Depending on the type of tumor and the stage of the disease, chemotherapy can be prescribed before, after, or as the primary treatment.

It is worth noting that the mechanisms of action of drugs may be different, but the principle is the same - they damage cancer cells and lead to their death.

Since this technique has a number of side effects, the selection of medication and calculation of its dosage are carried out by an experienced oncologist. He determines all contraindications and safety of manipulations, and also builds a treatment regimen.

Treatment with chemotherapy drugs is carried out to destroy malignant cells and stop the growth of tumors of various types and stages. As we have already noted, it can be used as the main method of treatment or in combination with other methods such as surgery, cytokine therapy or radiotherapy.

Drug treatment may be required before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor and reduce the risk of cancer cells migrating to other parts of the body. In addition, drugs are prescribed after surgery to  eliminate remaining pathogenic cells and  prevent relapse.

In addition, chemotherapy courses can be used as the only treatment method in cases where other options are not possible or do not provide the desired effect.

Like any technique, exposure to chemotherapy carries risks and side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue and bowel dysfunction. However, many of them are manageable and temporary.

In particular, with the combined use of chemotherapy with cytokinogenetic therapy, the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs is reduced by 50-60%. This method also eliminates forced long breaks between chemotherapy courses, when patients need to restore their health to continue treatment.

It is important to discuss the pros and cons of treatment with your doctor to make an informed decision about which method is best for a particular patient.

However, chemotherapy does not always act selectively, affecting normal cells in the body, which also multiply rapidly. These are cells of the hair follicles, digestive system and bone marrow.

This results in unwanted side effects such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and the risk of secondary infections. However, there are methods that trigger antitumor immunity and   in   combination with   chemotherapy, allow you to achieve better results (for example: immunotherapy, cytokine genetic therapy, etc.). Therefore, the choice and development of a treatment regimen should be based on the individual characteristics of each case and discussed with a doctor.

Depending on the timing in relation to surgical treatment, chemotherapy courses can be divided into several types:

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Depending on the number of drugs administered simultaneously, there are:

The main advantages of this treatment method include:

Depending on the goals of treatment, drugs can be administered in different ways:

Implantable port systems are often used. This is a special catheter installed directly into a vessel or cavity, which is connected to a small reservoir. This is a fairly convenient and  functional option, used for many decades.

Thanks to the port system, the therapy cycle is tolerated more easily and safely by the patient. Treatment can be carried out in  a hospital setting or  at home, depending on the instructions of the oncologist. The port system is invisible and does not interfere with everyday activities, suitable for long-term use.

Treatment of various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer, is always carried out according to an individual scheme. Dosage and  number of procedures depends on:

patient's health status
presence of chronic diseases
stages of the tumor process

Drugs are selected and prescribed taking into account the maximum possible therapeutic effect, but at the same time the doctor tries to reduce the development of side effects. This allows the patient to recover faster after treatment with minimal risk to health.

Cancer therapy may include several stages, each of which has its own goal and objectives.

Side effects may vary depending on the type of medication, dose, duration of treatment and individual patient characteristics. Some of the most common side effects include:

Side effects are usually temporary and disappear after treatment is completed. At each stage of therapy, constant medical supervision and, if necessary, correction of observed toxicity are important.

The duration of chemotherapy may vary depending on the type of cancer, stage of the disease, response to treatment, and other factors. Some chemotherapy courses may last several weeks or months, while others may last years.

The doctor can create an individual treatment regimen, including a specific combination of chemotherapy drugs, and determine the dosage of cytostatics. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions and report any side effects promptly to get the most out of your treatment.