Chemotherapy
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the most often prescribed treatment procedure for cancer. It completely depends on the power of specific medications to eradicate the cancerous cells that attack the body. It works either by delaying the development of the cells or stopping it completely.
Regardless, cancer patients need to evaluate the therapy very carefully before they undergo the process. This is because, in the process of eradicating the malignant cells, chemotherapy can also damage the healthy cells that split fast.
These include the cells that induce hair to grow as well as those that line the mouth and the intestines. This action causes the side effects such as hair loss and intense abdominal ache during treatment.
How Chemotherapy works?
There are three different parts of chemotherapy, although the scope to which it achieves these parts tends to vary for each patient depending on the stage and harshness of the cancer.
Chemo, as it is commonly known, is expected to:
- Cure cancer – Chemotherapy can eradicate the cancer cells entirely until they can no longer be detected. The process is said to successfully cure the disease if it does not rise back.
- Treat cancer – Chemo can hamper the further spreading of the cancerous cells by restraining their growth. However, in some cases, this approach only works for as long as the patient is continually undergoing it. Once the therapy stops, the cancerous cells may start growing again.
- Relieve the symptoms of cancer – Chemo can be particularly used to target specific cancerous tumors that induce pressure or pain on the affected body parts.
- Increase vulnerability to infections – Chemo may also be used for other types of cancer treatment, such as surgery, biological therapy, and radiation therapy. Here are the typical roles that chemotherapy plays when used in a combination of therapy options:
- Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy – Chemo may be utilized to shrink a tumor earlier than surgical removal.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy – This signifies that the chemotherapy treatment in Pune is only used as a follow-up to destroy the cancer cells that got left behind after surgical reduction or radiation therapy.
Get a trusted second opinion for chemotherapy with Dr. Pratik Patil, a leading cancer specialist in Pune
Side effects of Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is known for causing some side effects, which include below points:
Types of Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to identify and attack cancer cells. It uses agents like immune checkpoint inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies to enhance the body’s natural defenses.Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy focuses on specific molecules or genes involved in cancer growth. It blocks signals that promote cancer development, offering a more precise treatment with fewer side effects.
- Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
Cytotoxic chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. It affects both cancerous and some normal cells, often causing side effects like nausea and hair loss.
- Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy targets cancers fueled by hormones, like breast or prostate cancer. It reduces or blocks hormone production to slow or stop cancer growth.
Where to Seek Treatment?
Chemotherapy can be given either at home or in cancer hospitals. Regardless of where you choose to take a treatment, the process is the same. Your preceding doctor will assist the chemotherapy drugs regularly and observe you for side effects, improvements, or other changes in the status of the disease. If needed, your doctor may give some changes to the drugs being used during treatment.
The specific combination of chemotherapy drugs that are used differs based on:
- The cancer type or location
- Medical record or history of cancer and prior treatments
- Other health issues not related to cancer
Contact the best oncologist in Pune – Dr. Pratik Patil immediately if you experience any of the warning signs and symptoms listed below.
Why choose Dr Pratik Patil for Chemotherapy
Looking for Chemotherapy in Pune?
Dr. Pratik Patil is the best Medical Oncologist in Pune with experience 12+ years. He has a special interests in chemotherapy treatment. For more information about cancer and treatment options, or to book an appointment with the best Cancer Specialist in Pune call +919637439163 or Click on Book Appointment for online booking.