Chemotherapy is one of the most effective ways of treating cancer. You can also consult with some of the best oncologists regarding chemotherapy in Siliguri. Chemotherapy is mostly given in the form of drugs while in some cases it is used in the form of pills and capsules. Although it is considered to be the best treatment for cancer, it also comes with various types of side effects.
Chemotherapy is not only used to kill the malignant cells in the body but also to prevent them from occurring in the future. Not all cancer needs chemo therefore it is necessary to have a better knowledge regarding chemotherapy. In this blog, you will understand what is chemotherapy, what are its types, who needs it along what are its potential side effects.
Overview
Chemotherapy also known as chemo is a common type of cancer treatment that includes using anti-cancer drugs to kill the malignant cells from the body. These drugs are mostly inserted in the blood veins which allow it to travel in any part of the body resulting in better treatment. They also disrupt the spreading of cancer within the body along with destroying the remaining cancer cells in the body.
Even though it is considered the best form of cancer treatment, chemotherapy is not used in all types of cancer. Consulting with some of the best oncologists in Siliguri can help you decide whether you need chemo or not. Your doctor may conduct various sets of tests and diagnoses based on which you will be advised of the need for chemotherapy. In some cases, chemotherapy is combined with another type of cancer treatment which may also include the use of radiation and other forms of drug therapies.
Types of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy being a drug-based treatment includes more than 100 different types of chemo drugs. Each of these drugs is used based on the type, and stage, and comes with identical side effects. Most of these drugs attack each type of cell during the treatment. Therefore, most of the time these drugs are combinedly and given to the patients ensuring better treatment of the cancer.
Following are the major types of Chemotherapy drugs
-Alkylating agents
These types of drugs are mostly used to damage the DNA of the malignant cells and prevent them from spreading over other parts of the body.
-Antimetabolites
These are used to disrupt the spreading process of the cancer cells and prevent further growth.
-Anti-tumor antibiotics
These drugs interfere with the genetic material of the cancer cell which prevents it from further growth in the body.
-Topoisomerase inhibitors
These are the types of chemical compounds that are used to kill malignant cells by impacting the functioning of the cancer cells.
-Mitotic inhibitors
These are mostly used to treat cancer by blocking the division of the cancer cells within the body.
-Plant alkaloids
These are plant-based chemo drugs that are used to prevent the cell division of cancer cells during various stages of treatment.
Treatments
The treatment process of the chemotherapy may depend on the type and the stage of cancer. There are various steps which are conducted before the treatment such as:
-Before the treatment your oncologist will conduct various types of tests and diagnoses to evaluate your cancer based on which your chemotherapy plan is made.
-Your doctor May also recommend you go for a full body checkup including your dental health to understand that your body is ready for the treatment.
-Your doctor will also inform you about the potential side effects that can occur after the treatment
-Chemotherapy may also affect your daily life to some extent. You might require consulting with oncology specialists to read the effects of chemo on your lifestyle.
-Finally, after proper planning and evaluation of your body you are provided with the doses of chemotherapy.
Although this process is time-consuming it is compulsory to prevent any kind of serious health complications due to the treatment.
Side Effects
During the treatment of chemotherapy, you are given a combination of various types of anti-cancer drugs. While they normally target and kill the cancer cells, in some cases it might also affect the health cells of your body which can lead to various forms of side effects.
Some of the possible side effects after chemotherapy include fatigue, hair loss, headaches, muscle pain, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and numbness in fingers and toes. It is also important to have a better track of your side effects and keep your healthcare updated a regular intervals. While most of these side effects tend to go away on their own, in some cases you might also need to take medications under the guidance of your healthcare provider.
There are multiple clinics and doctor that offer high-quality chemotherapy in Siliguri. However, it is necessary to have a better evaluation of your body before going for it.
Chemotherapy is best when it comes to treating cancer, however, in some cases, it might also result in various side effects and health issues. Apart from the chemo, there are various other factors that might help in the outcomes of the treatment. Therefore it is necessary to keep yourself in a better state to get the best result and proper healing from the cancer.