Chemotherapy for cancer

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Chemotherapy is a term that is usually associated with cancer therapy and used in the treatment of tumor cells. The used chemical agents are cytotoxic (cell = cytosis, statikos = inhibit) called. The chemotherapy alongside radiotherapy and surgery, the third important treatment option for cancer. However, it does not work for all cancers as the first treatment after diagnosis.

Generally, the word chemotherapy, the treatment of infectious diseases with drugs. The resources that are used here, should be prevented from dying cells, pathogens such as bacteria or fungi in their growth and reproduction and. For this purpose take the medication in the metabolism of the pathogen. The term chemotherapy will be used exclusively in connection with cancer.

Preparation and conduct of chemotherapy

The benefits of chemotherapy must prevail for the victims, so that treatment is carried out. The doctor will weigh benefits against risks and discuss all the steps and the possible side effects with those concerned. In addition, appropriate combinations of cytotoxic drugs are selected, the promise in the individual case of illness, the best chance of success.

For chemotherapy does not necessarily stay in a hospital is necessary. Treatment may be one of this specially trained physician (hematologist / oncologist) performed as an outpatient. Whether chemotherapy only a single or multiple cytotoxic drugs are used depends on the type of disease, its severity and the expected side effects. The dosage depends, among other things, the body weight or medical history of the person concerned.

Chemotherapy consists of several cycles. The affected person receives in a day or on several consecutive days of his medication in the form of tablets, injections or infusions. Then paused with the use of medication to give the body chance to recover from the adverse effects. The pause may last for several days or even weeks. This is followed by a new cycle. After two to three cycles of treatment to control the doctors treating the patient outcomes and match them - if necessary - to new. The therapy is stopped when the desired results were achieved.
Regional chemotherapy

In terms of regional chemotherapy drugs are injected into the targeted body areas where the tumor is located. , So only a small part of cytostatics in the rest of the body. The side effects are usually minor. The procedure was applied because of the high cost and rare example of bladder cancer can be used.
High-dose chemotherapy

Although under the current chemotherapy is not all tumor cells can be destroyed, cytostatic drugs are administered in very high doses. The dosage is often ten times the normal dose of chemotherapy. Even the high-dose chemotherapy should be repeated occasionally in cycles or in combination with radiotherapy. Unless the side effects of chemotherapy drugs can not be restricted, they are many times stronger than normal chemotherapy. The treatment is associated with an enormous strain on the body. Therefore, the high-dose chemotherapy and no standard procedure is for example used only for Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, or otherwise treatable with certain testicular tumors.
Stem cell transplantation

After a prolonged treatment can damage the blood-forming cells in bone marrow and blood so the image can be changed. Therefore be necessary during and after chemotherapy, regular checks of white and red blood cells and platelets.

It is possible that the blood-forming cells are damaged so much that a stem cell transplant is necessary. Either from a donor or autologous, which were taken before treatment - - Therefore, the affected cells are transmitted. These take in the bone marrow production of blood cells within a short time again.

Applications of chemotherapy

Associated with cancer chemotherapy in certain phases of the disease is used:

    Curative therapy for certain tumors to completely push back the drugs to cancer cells and for the longest period possible.
    Adjuvant therapy: Following surgery or radiation therapy with chemotherapy to destroy previously undetected metastases and are prevented from spreading.
    Neoadjuvant therapy before surgery or radiotherapy in the neoadjuvant therapy shrinks the size of the tumor. As a result, radiation treatment or surgery will be easier or even possible at all.
    Palliative therapy: chemotherapy agent is only prevented further growth of tumors and metastases, they will themselves not been eliminated. So shall the extended life of those affected and the quality of life improved.


Because cytostatic effect throughout the body and not just at one point, chemotherapy is used in the treatment of metastases, which have been scattered in the body. The same applies to diseases of the lymph cells (lymphoma) and blood cells (leukemia), because here the malignant cells spread rapidly throughout the body. Testicular tumors can be successfully treated with cytostatic drugs.

Tumors in the digestive tract, certain brain tumors and renal cell carcinoma, however, are difficult to be treated as part of chemotherapy, as these tumors respond only partially to treatment with cytostatic drugs.

Effects and side effects of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can shrink tumors and metastases, completely destroy or slow the progression of the disease. At the same time can also alleviate the symptoms of those affected and an increase in quality of life can be achieved. However, it is also possible that a chemotherapy shows no effect (resistance).

Cytostatic effect in the nucleus of a cell and can affect cell metabolism. They prevent the cell to multiply it to alter the genetic material and contribute to its destruction. Primarily cytostatic effect on tumor cells because they multiply rapidly. However, they are also formed on the body and damage healthy cells, above all, the blood cells, hair and nails. In addition, the cytotoxic damage to mucous membranes in the stomach and mouth.

Chemotherapy for those affected physically and emotionally very demanding. There are often side effects. Affected may suffer from symptoms such as:

    Nausea
    Vomit
    Inflammation of the mucous membranes with diarrhea or pain when swallowing
    Changes in blood counts and possibly weakening the immune system and susceptibility to infection
    Hair Loss


Less common symptoms and long-term effects occur such as:

    Nervous disorders
    Allergies
    Damage to the heart, lungs or kidneys
    Effects on fertility, such as absence of menstruation or decrease fertility
    premature onset of menopause in women
    Depression


The complaints can also be pronounced differently in each individual. Especially nausea and vomiting may weaken the individual concerned as much and be so uncomfortable that they want to stop treatment. Also, hair loss or appetite loss are often very stressful. Doctors can therefore give additional medication to reduce the burden of side effects.

Proper nutrition during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a particular burden for the body. Therefore, one should refrain from alcohol during treatment and generally put on a healthy and balanced nutritional value, so that the body receives all the needed nutrients. In addition, some points can be observed in order to improve the general condition:

    For nausea and poor appetite, it is better to eat several small meals throughout the day or to drink tea appetizing. Suitable examples are chamomile and peppermint tea.
    Dry baked goods such as biscuits, crackers or toast can soothe the stomach immediately after getting up.
    With strong odor sensitivity, it may be helpful to other people cook for themselves and leave kitchen and dining room after a meal properly ventilated.
    Meals are easier to digest if the bites are long chewed.
    Concerned should avoid very salty or high fat foods because they may irritate the stomach lining. It makes more sense to grab back on foods that you tolerate better.
    During chemotherapy should be no raw meat, no raw fish, and no raw fruits or vegetables are eaten. Also taboo are mold or raw milk cheese and nuts. Fruit must not have any pressure points.
    Butter, margarine, ketchup or honey should be eaten only in serving containers. Bread must not be older than one day.


Forecast

Even after a successful chemotherapy after the cancer can no longer be detected, some time later new metastases occur at a different body part. Regular checkups are therefore particularly important to be able to discover a new disease at an early stage.

In many tumors, or metastases with chemotherapy, growth can be halted or even regresses. In recent decades has become the treatment of many cancer chemotherapy patients improved significantly. They are also concerned a chance of healing, the treatment by other methods could not be reached.

In cancers emanating from internal organs and concern, for example bowel, breast or prostate, using chemotherapy is often no longer possible to cure, if only once have formed metastases. Then can the progression of the disease only slow it down even more.

Alternative to chemotherapy

Cancer chemotherapy may alternatively be treated with radiation therapy or by surgery. These two treatment methods are used even more frequently than chemotherapy. Whichever method is used depends on the type of disease and the individual circumstances.

Thanks to research exist for a long time next to the chemotherapy drugs that do not belong to the cytotoxic agents, and can be used very specifically against cancer cells. They are collectively referred to as "Targeted Therapy" or "targeted therapy". These drugs are aimed at targeted specific targets of the tumor. Those affected should therefore remain of the bothersome side effects of treatment largely spared.

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