केमोथेरपी: केमोथेरपी म्हणजे कर्करोगाच्या पेशी नष्ट करणारी औषधे. आज उलटी व इतर दुष्परिणाम टाळण्यासाठी उत्तम औषधे उपलब्ध आहेत. बहुतेक केमोथेरपी डे-केअरमध्ये दिली जाते.
कीमोथेरेपी: कीमोथेरेपी कैंसर कोशिकाओं को नष्ट करने वाली दवाएं हैं। आज उल्टी व अन्य दुष्प्रभाव रोकने के लिए अच्छी दवाएं उपलब्ध हैं। ज़्यादातर कीमो डे-केयर में दी जाती है।
Chemotherapy uses medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. It travels through the bloodstream, so it can treat cancer anywhere in the body.
Why chemotherapy is given
- Neoadjuvant – before surgery, to shrink the tumour
- Adjuvant – after surgery, to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back
- With radiation – to make radiation more effective
- Curative – for cancers such as lymphoma, leukaemia and testicular cancer
- Palliative – to control advanced cancer, relieve symptoms and prolong life
How it is given
Intravenous infusion in day care, tablets at home, injections, or directly into the spinal fluid (intrathecal). Treatment is given in cycles, usually every 1–3 weeks.
Side effects – much better controlled today
Nausea, tiredness, hair loss, mouth sores, low blood counts and infection risk. Modern anti-sickness medicines, growth factor injections and careful dosing prevent most serious problems. Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) during chemotherapy is an emergency – call us or go to the hospital immediately.
Common myths
- "Chemo spreads cancer" – No. It is one of the main treatments that controls cancer.
- "Biopsy or surgery spreads cancer" – No. A biopsy is essential for correct treatment.
- "Everyone loses hair and vomits" – Not all drugs cause hair loss, and vomiting can usually be prevented.