Know All About Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. It is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body. It may be given with curative intent, or it may aim to prolong life or to reduce symptoms.

The treatment is normally used to treat advanced-stage cancer by destroying or damaging the cancer cells as much as possible. The chance of it curing your cancer depends on the type of cancer you have. 

Since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body, Chemotherapy is the most commonly used form of treatment with a combination of drugs for cancerous growths and treatment. 

How does it work

The actual process is usually painless. Some chemo drugs may cause a slight burning as they enter your vein, but it tends to ease as the infusion progresses.

Chemotherapy treatment is done in cycles followed by a period of rest. A cancer patient might receive the therapy every day for one week followed by three weeks of rest with no sessions. The rest period gives the body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells.  

The treatment varies in length and frequency and depends on the individual treatment plan prescribed by the doctor. Some chemotherapy sessions last as long as three or four hours, while others may only take a half-hour. 

The disadvantages of Chemotherapy are the toxic side effects, the development of resistance to the chemical agents, and its inability to be effective on its own. Loss of hair and fatigue are the two common side effects of the treatment.  

If you are looking for the best treatment for cancer in India, most of the hospitals offer chemotherapy sessions to kill the cancer cells.