Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. The mere word is enough to send chills down our spines. There are many types of cancer, each with its own set of symptoms and treatment options. One of the most common and effective treatments for cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill or damage cancer cells. It can be given as a pill, injected into a vein, or delivered directly to the tumor site.
While chemotherapy can be an effective treatment for cancer, it is not without its side effects. Chemotherapy can cause hair loss, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. It can also damage healthy cells, which can lead to infection and bleeding. Despite the side effects, chemotherapy is often the best option for treating cancer in any Best Cancer Hospital in Delhi. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of chemotherapy and how it can help you fight cancer.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. The most common type of chemotherapy is cytotoxic chemotherapy, which kills cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously or orally.
Chemotherapy drugs work by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide. They are often used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy.
There are many different types of chemotherapy drugs, and they are typically categorized by how they work. Alkylating agents, for example, work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, while antimetabolites interfere with the metabolism of cancer cells.
The side effects of chemotherapy vary depending on the type and dose of the drug but can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and an increased risk of infection.
What are the different types of Chemotherapy?
There are different types of chemotherapy, and the type that a person receives depends on the type of cancer they have. The most common types of chemotherapy are:
Alkylating agents: These drugs work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. They are usually given as injections or IV drips.
Antimetabolites: These drugs interfere with the way cancer cells use nutrients, preventing them from growing and multiplying. They are usually given as pills or injections.
Natural products: These drugs are derived from plants or other natural sources. They work by interfering with the way cancer cells grow and divide. They are usually given as pills, liquids, or IV drips.
Platinum compounds: These drugs work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. They are usually given as IV drips.
How does Chemotherapy work?
The chemotherapy process involves the administration of drugs that kill cancer cells. The drugs are called cytotoxic agents and they work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from growing and multiplying. Chemotherapy is usually given as a course of treatment, which means you have a series of sessions over a period of time.
The number of sessions and the length of each session will depend on the type and stage of the cancer being treated, as well as your overall health and response to treatment. Chemotherapy can be given in different ways, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. The most common types are intravenous (IV) chemotherapy, where the drugs are injected into a vein, and oral chemotherapy, where the drugs are taken in pill form.
