Chemotherapy means the drug treatment of cancer. Treatment is carried out by a medical oncologist. It accompanies surgical treatment and radiation therapy and is a very important part of tumor treatment. Chemotherapy aims to prevent the growth of tumor cells or to kill them. Some are given by mouth, most by intravenous injection, either alone or in combination with several drugs. Some of the drugs used are chemotherapeutic (chemical) drugs, hormones and drugs that strengthen the immune system, which directly affect the tumor and are known as cancer drugs. Some drugs are used to eliminate the side effects of drugs that directly affect the tumor. The aim varies according to the patient’s condition.
* In order to completely destroy the tumor and restore the patient’s health,
* To stop the growth of the tumor,
* To prevent the spread of the tumor,
* It can be applied to minimize the symptoms it causes.
In some cancerous tissues, chemotherapy is the only treatment method, while in others, chemotherapy accompanies other treatment methods. The duration and frequency of treatment vary according to the patient. Thanks to today’s methods, it is possible to eliminate cancer with early diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to effective treatments, the survival rate of cancer patients is quite high. Psychological support for patients and their relatives also plays an active role in combating the disease. For this reason, it is of great importance to be hopeful about the elimination of the disease and not to delay the treatment.
The duration and frequency of administration of chemotherapy drugs are determined by the medical oncologist according to the type of tumor, its extent, the patient’s age, general condition and other existing diseases (such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease). The doses and frequency of administration of the selected drugs are also decided by the medical oncologist. The duration and frequency of treatment depends on the scheme determined by the disease and the patient’s condition. Duration and frequency can be changed depending on the response obtained from treatment with chemotherapy drugs and the side effects that occur. Generally, the most commonly used intervals are 3 or 4 weeks, but in some treatment schemes, application is made once a week or every two weeks. The most important point about the timing of chemotherapy is that the treatment should be carried out as regularly as possible and as side effects allow. When treatment intervals are extended unnecessarily, the tumor is given the chance to recover and become stronger by gaining resistance to drugs. In this way, growth and spread continue and the chance of cure decreases. Therefore, the timing of chemotherapy sessions should be followed in accordance with the doctor’s recommendation.
Chemotherapy Methods:
Chemotherapy can be given to the patient in many different ways. Chemotherapy drugs are available in tablet forms that can be taken orally, as well as in forms that can be administered intravenously or directly into the abdominal cavity. The routes of administration of chemotherapy drugs can be listed as follows;
Intravenous injection method; Chemotherapy drugs are administered directly into the vein.
Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection method; In this way, drugs are administered directly into the muscle from the hip, thigh or arm, or subcutaneously from the fatty tissue of the arm, leg or abdomen.
Intraarterial injection method; Medicines are given directly into the artery feeding the cancer. The application is made through a needle or a soft thin catheter.
intraperitoneal method; Chemotherapy Drugs are administered to the peritoneal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver, intestines, stomach and ovaries. Chemotherapy Drugs can be given through a special tube placed in the abdomen.
Oral method; Chemotherapy drugs are given directly orally to the patient in liquid or pill form.
