Chemotherapy of cancer: a description, effectiveness, consequences for the body

Chemotherapy of cancer is a special kind of systemic treatment of cancer tumors, i.e. Due to ingress into the bloodstream, the substances used affect the entire body.

Chemopreparations actively influence precisely on fast-growing cells, therefore chemotherapy is considered one of the most effective methods of treatment of cancer tumors. However, this treatment has a negative effect. Chemotherapy for cancer affects not only the pathological cells, but also the completely healthy ones, which are characterized by rapid growth. This is the cells of the mouth, stomach, intestines, hematopoietic system and hair bulbs.

The impact on any cancer cell that is in the body is the goal of systemic therapy, in particular chemotherapy. Having an effect on the local area, the methods of local treatment strongly differ from it. In this case, chemotherapy has a more pronounced effect.

One of the unpleasant moments are side effects, which are controlled and facilitated with the help of medications. Chemotherapy for cancer (its type and course) is different in each case, so do not be surprised that the drugs in different patients do not match. It depends on various factors - the degree of involvement of lymph nodes in the process of tumor growth, its size, oncogene expression, hormonal status and many other parameters that are taken into account by doctors in the selection of medication.

Now let's get a little deeper into the cytology - the biology of cells. Cells of a living organism are constantly involved in division. For some, this process is faster, and for some, it is slower. In any case, the process of growth and division is controlled. The main difference between diseased cells and healthy cells is that cancer cells divide and grow uncontrollably. Chemotherapy of cancer destroys cancer cells, stopping the processes of their life. However, the question arises - does this situation affect healthy cells? Yes, it affects, but only those that develop fast. However, the effect on cancer cells is more active, therefore, chemotherapy is very effective.

Chemotherapy for breast cancer is one of the main stages of the complex treatment of this tumor and not only. This method is used both after surgery to prevent relapse and spread of metastases, and before surgery - to reduce the area of the tumor. From this we make an important conclusion - the chemical effect has a prophylactic value after the operation.

Accumulations of individual tumor cells that have separated from the primary tumor can not be detected by any modern and accurate technique. Any area of the body can serve as their location. Harmfully acting on these cells, chemotherapy significantly reduces the risk of repeated development of the tumor.

Chemotherapy for cancer is carried out in cycles. The time during which the patient is given the prescribed chemotherapy is called a cycle. The full course is a certain amount, appointed by the doctor. Depending on the type of drug, it can include from 4 to 7 cycles.

There are types of cancer that can be cured only with the help of chemotherapy. However, for most cases this is not applicable. In such situations, this kind of therapy is used as a control for the development of the disease and in order to alleviate the symptoms. The main reason that chemotherapy is not always possible to cure diseases such as cancer is the ability of cancer cells to acquire resistance to the drugs used or to have this property from the beginning.