Chemotherapy

A study on Chemotherapy treatments
Treatment done for certain kinds of cancer is called Chemotherapy. Using of anti cancer medicines (cytotoxic) to wipe out cancer cells is known as chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treatments are also performed for non-cancerous patients, where the dosage are on the minimum side resulting the side effects to be minimum. More than 200 various kinds of cancer is noticed, and there are more than 50 chemotherapy medicines, which is used in many ways.

The variety of chemotherapy treatment depends on certain facts, but predominantly the following are observed – the kind of cancer one is having, the origin of the cancer in one’s body, how the cancer-cells appear like beneath the microscope, and if it has spread over in one’s body.

Chemotherapy is also used for treatments like biological therapies, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy and surgery, or an amalgamation of these.

Application of chemotherapy may be in various ways, based on the cancer type. The chemotherapy drugs are used accordingly. Mostly chemotherapy is performed by injection hooked on to a vein, and is called “intravenous chemotherapy”. Drugs given in the form of capsules or tablets is called “oral chemotherapy”. A drug injected into the muscle is known as “intramuscular injection”. When it is injected just below the skin, it is called “subcutaneous injection”. The drugs applied by the above-mentioned means, reach the cancer cells in the body through the blood.

In certain kinds of cancer, when chemotherapy is injected, and it reaches the fluid, in the region of spine, it is the “intrathecal chemotherapy” which is performed. When certain body cavities like bladder or pelvic cavity gets injected, “intracavity chemotherapy” is performed. In the above-mentioned methods, the drugs likely stays in that particular injected area, resulting no concern in other areas of one’s body. Chemotherapy creams are also used for certain skin-cancers, wherein the cells in the region only get affected.

At times two kinds of chemotherapy might also be used, like intravenous chemotherapy and oral chemotherapy.
Intravenous chemotherapy: There are generally four techniques by which the chemotherapy drugs directly reach the vein. Cannula – this process involves a little tube, which is inserted in the vein of one’s arm or in the back of one’s hand. Central line – a slim stretchy tube is put in the skin of one’s chest into the vein next to the heart. PICC line – here a thin stretchy tube is put through a vein at the upper portion of one’s arm or at the bend, and threaded throughout till the tube’s concluding part is positioned in one of the vein close to the heart. Implantable port – it is also known as a portacath. Here a slim, soft synthetic tube is inserted in the vein. This has a hole or a port beneath the skin of one’s arm or chest.

Oral chemotherapy: As a process of the treatment, instructions may be given to have chemotherapy capsules or tablets at home. This can be for your entire body or a part of it. As per doctor’s directives, the drugs need to be consumed with or without food. In case of any difficulty in consuming the chemotherapy, the health care practitioner needs to be contacted for further advice. The prescribed drugs given by the doctor is generally for the full course of the treatment, and consumption of the same accurately as per the prescription is imperative. While taking the drug for the first time, if any information is not clear, then immediate clarification from the pharmacist, doctor or the nurse is to be sought.