Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment for cancer. It involves the use of drugs to kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells.

The main goals of chemotherapy are to control or eliminate tumors and prevent the spread of cancer cells. It can be used for different treatment purposes, including curative treatment (complete removal of cancer cells), adjuvant treatment (reduce the chance of cancer coming back after primary treatment), neoadjuvant treatment (shrink the tumor before major treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy) and palliative treatment (reducing symptoms and improving quality of life).

Chemotherapy can be used to treat different types of cancer and may be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. Each drug has a different way of action and side effects. Often a combination of drugs is used to increase the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of drug resistance. These drugs can be divided into different categories such as cytotoxic drugs, hormonal drugs, immunomodulatory drugs, etc.

Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles, which include treatment periods and rest periods. The treatment period is the period of time during which the medication is given, usually lasting from days to weeks, followed by a rest period to allow the body to recover. This cycle can be repeated multiple times, depending on the situation.

Chemotherapy affects individuals differently, and side effects can vary from person to person. Doctors and healthcare teams work closely with patients to manage and minimize side effects, and provide supportive care during treatment. Our healthcare professionals will provide personalized information and discuss the potential benefits and risks of chemotherapy to cancer patients.