Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy: Process, Benefits, & Side Effects

Chemotherapy remains a pivotal treatment option for various types of cancer. Targeting rapidly dividing cells aims to destroy cancerous growths while potentially preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

For many patients, understanding the intricacies of chemotherapy—including its types, procedures, and potential side effects—can empower them to make informed decisions about their treatment.

At Racure Healthcare, we partner with the best cancer treatment centers to provide excellent support and advanced oncology services, ensuring patients feel safe and informed throughout their journey.

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy involves the use of specific medicines that target cancer cells and stop their proliferation. Thus, this process can either operate independently or accompany other palliative interventions, such as resections or exposure to ionizing radiation.

Doctors customize the method by selecting the right drugs, their quantity, and the timetable, depending on the cancer type, its stage, and the patient's general health.

This method guarantees that the patient receives the appropriate treatment during the entire therapy period.

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Chemotherapy is a vital cancer treatment that targets rapidly growing cells in the body. Understanding its process can help demystify the treatment journey.

Step 1: Inside your body, cells naturally grow by making copies of themselves. Each cell creates a copy of its DNA and splits it into two, known as the cell cycle.

Step 2: Cells multiply only at specific times, eventually dying when they become old. This process is normal and healthy.

Step 3: However, sometimes this process goes wrong, and cells start multiplying too quickly, which can lead to cancer.

Step 4: Chemotherapy works by targeting these fast-growing cancer cells. The drugs kill or stop the cells from dividing by interrupting certain parts of the cell cycle.

Step 5: Each type of chemotherapy drug works differently. For instance, some drugs stop DNA from copying, which prevents cancer cells from spreading.

Step 6: Unlike radiation or surgery targeting certain areas, chemotherapy can work throughout your body. This allows it to kill cancer cells but also affects some fast-growing healthy cells, like those in your skin, hair, intestines, mouth, and bone marrow.

Step 7: Because chemotherapy can impact these healthy cells, it can cause side effects during treatment.

How Often Should Chemotherapy Be Given?

How often someone receives chemotherapy depends on a few things, like the type and stage of cancer, the specific medicines used, and how healthy the person is, as chemotherapy is usually given in cycles with a treatment period followed by a break to let the body rest.

Depending on the doctor's plan, these cycles can occur weekly, every two weeks, or even once a month.

Types of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be grouped by how it is given to patients, and each type has its own benefits, which are chosen based on each patient's needs.

Intravenous (IV)

IV Chemotherapy is Intravenous chemotherapy that is administered through a vein and directly into the bloodstream. This helps medicine be distributed via veins to the entire body, making it very useful for curing cancers that have metastasized. The majority of the time, patients are getting IV chemotherapy in a hospital or outpatient clinic, where doctors watch how they react to the treatment very attentively.

Oral

Oral chemotherapy refers to a drug therapy method in which the patient takes pills or liquids of medicine. This method is great because the patients can do it at home. Nonetheless, they should adhere to a rigid timetable for the intake of doses since the irregularity of the doses can decrease the effectiveness of the treatment.

Intra-arterial

Intra-arterial chemotherapy sends medicine directly to the tumor's artery, concentrating the medicine in the cancer area and minimizing the impact on the rest of the body. This focused approach could potentially minimize the side effects, making it a useful alternative in treatment.

Intracavitary

Intracavitary chemotherapy is done through the belly cavity or space around the lungs, and it is a good choice for cancers in these areas. With this method, more medicine is available, and healthy tissues are also protected; thus, it is a targeted approach.

Intrathecal

With this method, doctors administer chemotherapy drugs directly into the spinal canal, thereby permitting them to reach the central nervous system, which is particularly advantageous for cancers that have spread to the brain or spinal cord. The cancer types that are the most affected by intrathecal chemotherapy can be effectively treated with it.

Subcutaneous

Subcutaneous chemotherapy, which entails the delivery of medicine via an injection into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin, is far less invasive than other methods and can be performed in an outpatient setting. This means it's easier for patients to cope with their everyday lives while undergoing treatment so they can continue their work.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses medicines or other substances to find and destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy cells, and this method looks for specific parts of cancer, making it a good choice for some types of cancer.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy helps the body's immune system fight cancer by boosting the immune response so it can better find and kill cancer cells. This new way of treating cancer can work independently or with other treatments to make it more effective.

How to Get Ready for Chemotherapy

●     Think About a Port: Ask the doctor about placing a small device in your body. This makes getting IVs easier.

●     Health Check: Have tests to ensure you are healthy enough for treatment.

●     Visit the Dentist: Go to your dentist for a check-up before starting treatment.

●     Plan for Side Effects: Think about what side-effects you might feel and get ready for them.

●     Support at Home and Work: Arrange for help at home and work if needed.

●     Prepare for the First Day: Get ready for your first day of treatment.

How Chemotherapy Procedure Works

The chemotherapy process starts with a thorough check-up by an oncologist. During the first visit, the doctor reviews the patient's medical history, discusses different treatment options, and explains what the therapy aims to achieve.

● Pre-Treatment Check-Up: Before chemotherapy begins, patients have a few tests, such as blood tests and scans, which help the doctor understand how healthy the patient is and decide on the best chemotherapy plan.

● Scheduling Treatments: Chemotherapy usually occurs in cycles, each cycle including a time for treatment followed by a recovery period, allowing the body to heal from the medicine's effects.

● Giving Chemotherapy: Depending on the chosen method, chemotherapy can be given in a hospital, a clinic, or even at home. Healthcare workers monitor the patient during the treatment to handle any side effects immediately.

●  After-treatment Care: Once chemotherapy is finished, patients receive guidance on what to expect while recovering, including tips on dealing with side effects and when to contact their doctor.

Types Of Cancer And Corresponding Chemotherapy Treatments

Different types of cancer may require specific chemotherapy regimens. Here’s a list of common cancers and the types of chemotherapy typically used:

Breast Cancer

●     Chemotherapy Type: Usually a combination of IV chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.

Lung Cancer

●     Chemotherapy Type: Commonly treated with IV chemotherapy, including cisplatin and carboplatin.

Colorectal Cancer

●     Chemotherapy Type: Often requires a combination of IV drugs, including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin.

Leukemia

●     Chemotherapy Type: Treatment typically involves a combination of oral and IV chemotherapy, including cytarabine and daunorubicin.

Lymphoma

●     Chemotherapy Type: Frequently treated with a regimen known as CHOP, which includes cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, administered IV.

Ovarian Cancer

●     Chemotherapy Type: Often treated with a combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel, usually given via IV.

Prostate Cancer

●     Chemotherapy Type: It may be treated with docetaxel or cabazitaxel and administered via IV, especially in advanced stages.

How Recovery Works After Chemotherapy

Recovery from chemotherapy is different for everyone, as some people may feel only a little tired while others might have stronger side effects. Here are some important parts of recovery:

• Watching for Side Effects: Doctors and nurses will help look out for side effects, which can include feeling tired, feeling sick, losing hair, and having a higher chance of getting sick.
• Check-Up Visits: Regular check-ups are very important because they help doctors see how well the treatment is working and if any changes are needed.
• Emotional Help: Dealing with the feelings that come from cancer treatment is very important, and joining support groups or talking to a counsellor can really help.

Support For Patients During The Treatment

Getting support during chemotherapy is very important because it can help improve how patients feel and the results of their treatment. At Racure Healthcare, we have many services to assist you throughout your treatment, and here are five main ways we help our patients:

Personal Treatment Guidance: Our team provides tailored medical advice and expert opinions based on your needs. This helps you get the best treatment plan so you can make smart health choices.

Consultation with Our Medical Team: Our skilled medical staff can provide detailed help. We know that cancer treatment can feel confusing, so our experts are ready to answer your questions and give you the support you need.

Virtual Pre-Treatment Consultation: Before starting your treatment, you can have a virtual meeting with our specialists. This lets you talk about your treatment plan, voice any worries, and get ready for your appointments—all from home.

Choosing Your Doctor and Hospital: Picking the right doctor and hospital is key to successful treatment, so we provide a list of top doctors, hospitals, and clinics that match your needs. Our team will help you find the best option for you, ensuring you get great care.

Quick Appointment Scheduling: To reduce waiting times and speed up your treatment, we offer priority scheduling, which lets you book fast appointments and confirm your treatment plans before you arrive, making your experience smoother as you start chemotherapy.

Care After Treatment: Once you finish your chemotherapy, we still care about your health; therefore, we provide follow-up support and help with recovery to ensure you transition back to good health. Our team will keep an eye on your recovery, assist you with any lingering side effects, and support you as you regain your strength.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy is an important part of treating cancer, as it offers many patients hope for better health and improves their chances of recovery.

Anyone starting chemotherapy must understand how it works, the different types available, and the potential side effects.

At Racure Healthcare, we try our best to help cancer treatment centers provide excellent oncology services and comprehensive support so that patients receive the highest level of care throughout their cancer journey.

If you are in a cancer treatment center looking for help, schedule a consultation today to learn how we can assist you so you offer the best to your patients in the battle against cancer.

For more information about related treatments, visit the oncology services page.