Chemotherapy for cancer

What is chemotherapy?

Under treatment with chemotherapy refers to the so-called chemotherapeutics (cytostatics = "cell stoppers"). Chemotherapeutic agents are naturally occurring or synthesized substances that tumor cells in cancer and infectious pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or fungi can fight effectively.

In the treatment of cancer chemotherapy is also known as cytostatic therapy. Zytostase means "cell arrest." With the help of chemotherapy to destroy malignant cells and are removed completely, if possible.
How does chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy interferes with the metabolism of cells. They share is more effective the more active the metabolism is and the more common cells. Both are true, especially in malignant (malignant) of cells, ie tumor cells.

To the rapidly dividing healthy cells are also Zellenn such as hair and mucous cells. They respond well to chemotherapy. Hair loss and possibly a loss of eyelashes and eyebrows may therefore occur as a side effect of chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is used to treat malignancies (cancers). The cytotoxic drugs act systemically, ie in the entire body, and to destroy cancer cells.

Areas of application include:

    Acute leukemia
    Lymphoma
    Forms of chronic leukemia (chronic lymphocytic and chronic myeloid leukemia

Chemotherapy is - used for the treatment of solid (solid) tumors - in addition to surgery and radiation. These include cancer, lung cancer or breast cancer.
What to do before chemotherapy?

Before each chemotherapy is a comprehensive information on sequence, effects and side effects of treatment. Every patient should know here well know.

Chemotherapy causes acute side effects (eg nausea and vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite), but also permanent or later onset of side effects. Usually before the chemotherapy drugs are administered to combat the serious side effects. One example is remedy for nausea, which act centrally in the brain, or drugs that protect the kidneys.

Before chemotherapy, certain tests are necessary. These include among others:

    Studies that determine the stage of the tumor, for example, ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography, possibly bone marrow biopsy
    Review of pulmonary function
    Studies of cardiac function (cardiac ultrasound, ECG)
    Studies of the liver and kidney function (blood levels)

Chemotherapy is usually administered in specific cycles. Regular blood counts are important in the treatment-free period, just before the start of the next cycle of therapy and thereafter.
How chemotherapy is carried out?

Often differently acting cytotoxic agents are combined and administered in rapid succession. There are several ways to apply:

    Intravenous: When infusion through a vein (arm or port)
    Oral: In tablet form
    Subcutaneous: Insulin Like a shot beneath the skin

Chemotherapy has a systemic effect - the drugs can basically go anywhere in the body and thus reach every cell.

In contrast, there are also purely local forms. Here, the chemotherapy drug exerts its effect only in places where it is applied, for example:

    In the abdominal or thoracic cavity: Previously, the corresponding part of the body is anesthetized.
    In the spinal space: The space between the spinal cord and spinal cord or brain and meninges.

Which treatment is suitable for which patient depends on a wide variety of factors, including:

    Type of cancer
    Stage and spread of cancer
    General condition of the patient
    Comorbidities
    Age of the patients

Chemotherapy usually runs off in cycles. So the person concerned will receive several "rounds" chemotherapy, which follow one another at certain time intervals. Common schemata are about 6x3 or 9x2 (six cycles of chemotherapy every three weeks and nine cycles every two weeks).

Physician and patient discuss which treatment regimen is used and how much time should lie between the cycles. If complications (for example, not enough high white blood cell count) to a shift of the rhythm may be necessary.

Between cycles is checked whether the treatment works, for example, whether the tumor has shrunk or whether the tumor cells have degenerated.

In principle, an outpatient chemotherapy (oncology practice in a specialized hospital or clinic) or inpatient hospital. It depends on various factors, whether hospitalization is necessary, for example, the severity of the disease, the general condition of the patient or the type of chemotherapy.
What complications can occur?

May occur during chemotherapy and general and specialized acute and chronic side effects:

»Blood dyscrasias: Frequent general, acute side effects are blood dyscrasias. They result from the damaging effects of chemotherapy on bone marrow, where blood cells are formed. This reduces the number of white blood cells (leukocytes), which increases the risk of infection. The reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) leads to anemia. The decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytes) increases the risk of bleeding. With appropriate counter measures to control these complications are usually.

"Nausea and vomiting may occur, but are now highly treatable with medication.

"Through use cases and usually lead to a delayed severe fluid loss.

"Hair loss: An effective method for preventing hair loss is still not known. Also, eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair can fail. Cooling hoods during chemotherapy not bring resounding success. The good news is that the hair after the treatment usually grow back quickly.

'Feared are called extravasation. It is not in the cytostatic, but next to the vein. This can lead to serious damage to the tissue, which can pull in some cases even after the surgery. To avoid this, the greatest care in the administration of chemotherapeutic agents is warranted. Many patients therefore decide on a port that is implanted in the arm or near the shoulder.

"Special and often delayed-onset side effects are damage to other organs such as heart, lung, kidney, liver, nervous tissue or skin.

Prior to any planned chemotherapy, the physician the expected side effects will be carefully discussed with the patient and / or its members.
What to do after the chemotherapy?

When the chemotherapy is an outpatient procedure or the patient was already discharged from hospital, the following points are important:

    Regular blood checks - this when you can treat your family doctor or oncologist can perform.
    Because of the increased risk of infection, you should avoid large crowds (for example, subway, cinema, concerts).
    For fever, other signs of infection or evidence of bleeding (eg nose bleeds or bleeding gums, bruising), you must immediately consult your doctor. Other warning signs are increasing shortness of breath, dizziness and diarrhea.

Applies to any current chemotherapy: Maintain a close contact with your doctor.