Chemotherapy Procedure

Overview

Chemotherapy is a medical treatment that uses drugs to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells in the body. It can be administered in several ways, including orally, through injections, or via intravenous (IV) infusions. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, chemotherapy may be given as a standalone treatment or combined with other therapies.

Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, to inhibit their growth and spread. It is used as a primary treatment for cancers like leukemia and lymphoma or as an adjunct to surgery or radiation for other types of cancer. The effectiveness of chemotherapy depends on factors such as cancer type and stage, drug dosage and frequency, and the patient’s overall health and response to treatment.

Why is Chemotherapy Used?

Chemotherapy serves multiple purposes, including:

Shrinking Tumors Before Surgery: Makes tumors easier to remove surgically.
Killing Residual Cancer Cells After Surgery: Destroys any remaining cancer cells.
Treating Metastatic Cancer: Helps manage cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Relieving Symptoms: Reduces tumor size to alleviate pain, bleeding, or blockages.

Conditions Treated by Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used for more than just cancer treatment. It can also treat the following:

Autoimmune Diseases: Suppresses the immune system to manage conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Blood Disorders: Treats diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma by targeting abnormal blood cell growth.
Infectious Diseases: Helps combat infections such as tuberculosis and hepatitis C by targeting rapidly dividing pathogens.
Organ Transplantation: Prevents organ rejection by suppressing the immune system.
Bone Marrow Transplant Preparation: Prepares the body for a transplant by eliminating abnormal cells and suppressing the immune system.
Rare Diseases: Treats conditions like amyloidosis, which involves the accumulation of abnormal proteins in tissues and organs.

Types of Chemotherapy Drugs

The type of chemotherapy drug used depends on the cancer type and stage. Common types include:

Alkylating Agents: Damage DNA to prevent cancer cell growth (e.g., cyclophosphamide).
Antimetabolites: Mimic natural cell substances to interfere with cell division (e.g., methotrexate).
Anthracyclines: Disrupt DNA inside cancer cells (e.g., doxorubicin).
Taxanes: Prevent cell division by interfering with microtubules (e.g., paclitaxel).
Platinum Compounds: Bind to DNA to inhibit cancer growth (e.g., cisplatin).
Topoisomerase Inhibitors: Block enzymes involved in DNA replication (e.g., irinotecan).
Monoclonal Antibodies: Target specific cancer cell proteins (e.g., trastuzumab).

How Chemotherapy Treats Cancer

Chemotherapy drugs damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing their growth and division. These drugs can also trigger apoptosis, where cancer cells self-destruct. However, chemotherapy may also affect healthy rapidly dividing cells, such as those in hair follicles and the digestive tract, leading to side effects like hair loss and nausea.

Administration of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs can be delivered in various ways:

Intravenous (IV) Infusion: Administered through a vein or central line.
Oral Medications: Taken as pills, capsules, or liquids.
Injections: Delivered into a muscle or under the skin.
Topical Application: Applied directly to the skin.
Intrathecal Administration: Injected into spinal fluid for cancers affecting the central nervous system.

The method of administration and treatment schedule depend on the drug regimen and the patient’s medical needs.