Cancer is among the most lethal and common causes of death around the world. It accounted for over 180,000 deaths in the US over the last year. However, Cancer treatment has also continued to evolve and new and effective treatments are being researched to provide a cure. One of the most predominant forms of treatment is Chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy cancer treatment involves the use of anti cancer drugs to fight off cancer cells. These drugs are referred to as Cytoxic drugs and their aim is to counteract the effect of cancer cells such as Lymphoma and Leukaemia.
There are several variations of chemotherapy cancer treatments. Depending upon a number of factors which include :
- Type of Cancer,
- Part of body affected by cancer,
- The particular traits of the Cancer cells,
- The spread of Cancer.
Chemotherapy Cancer treatment can be used by itself as well in coordination with other treatments including surgery, radio therapy, hormonal therapy and biological therapy.
Chemotherapy drugs work by way of the blood stream. Blood carries these drugs to all parts of the body so they affect healthy and the infected cells. However, healthy cells are able to fight off the damage caused by the drugs. Cancer cells are unable to do the same and so die off. These drugs attack the cells and stop them from dividing or reproducing.
Due to this effect, some of the more sensitive cells of the body, such as bone marrow, hair follicles, lining of the mouth and the digestive system, are more damaged than others. This requires a rest period for the healthy cells to recuperate from the drugs and so chemotherapy cancer treatment involves periods of medication followed by rest.
Chemotherapy drugs are used for several different effects. Some types of cancer, such as anal, lung and prostate among others, can be completely cured by just the drugs. Chemotherapy cancer treatment can also work as a subsidiary to surgery or radiotherapy, to kill off any remnants of the cancer. It may also be used to shrink the cancer before another treatment such as surgery is employed.
Thus although Chemotherapy cancer treatment may have several side effects, it is still a very effective means of curing cancer.
