Chemotherapy is a term that is commonly associated with cancer therapy and used in the treatment of tumor cells. The used chemical agents are cytotoxic drugs (Zytos = cell statikos = inhibit) called. Chemotherapy is next to the radiotherapy and surgery, the third important treatment option in cancer. It does not apply to all cancers as the first treatment option after diagnosis.

Generally, the word chemotherapy is the treatment of infectious diseases with drugs. The funds, which they will need to use, should be prevented from dying cells, pathogens such as bacteria or fungi in their growth and reproduction and. To this end, take the medication in the metabolism of the pathogen. The term chemotherapy is thus used not only in relation to cancer.

Preparation and course of chemotherapy

The benefits of chemotherapy must prevail for those affected so that treatment is carried out. The doctor will weigh benefits against risks and discuss all the steps and the possible side effects with stakeholders. In addition, appropriate combinations of cytotoxic drugs are selected, the promise in the individual disease case, the best chance of success.

For chemotherapy is not necessarily a stay in a hospital is necessary. The treatment can be of a specifically trained physician (hematologist / oncologist) on an outpatient basis. Whether chemotherapy only a single or multiple cytotoxic drugs are used depends on the nature of the disease, its severity and the expected side effects. The dose depends, among other things, the body weight or medical history of the people concerned.

Chemotherapy consists of several cycles. The affected person receives in a day or on several consecutive days, his medication in the form of tablets, injections or infusions. Then paused with taking the medication to give the body an opportunity to recover from the side effects. The pause may last for several days or even weeks. This is followed by a new cycle. After two or three of these cycles to control the number of physicians treatment results and adapt them – if necessary – to new. The therapy is terminated when the desired results were achieved.

Regional chemotherapy

In regional chemotherapy, the drugs are selectively injected into the body where the tumor is located. So only a small part of cytostatics in the rest of the body. The side effects are usually lower. The method is applied because of the high cost and rare, for example, for bladder cancer are used.

High-dose chemotherapy

If in the context of current chemotherapy, not all tumor cells can be destroyed, cytostatics are administered in very high doses. The dosage is often ten times the normal dose of a chemotherapy. The high-dose chemotherapy to be repeated occasionally in cycles or in combination with radiation therapy. If the side effects of chemotherapy can not be reduced with medication, they are stronger by far than normal chemotherapy. The treatment is associated with an enormous strain on the body. Therefore, the high-dose chemotherapy and no standard procedure is for example used only for Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia or otherwise treatable with certain testicular tumors.

Stem cell transplantation

After a prolonged treatment, the blood-forming bone marrow cells are damaged and so the blood can be changed. Are therefore necessary during and after chemotherapy regular checks of white and red blood cells and platelets.

It is possible that the blood-forming cells are damaged so much that a stem cell transplant becomes necessary. either from a donor or autologous, which were taken before treatment – - why the affected stem cells are transmitted. These take in the bone marrow production of blood cells within a short time again.

Applications chemotherapy

In connection with cancer chemotherapy in certain phases of the disease is used:

• Curative Therapy: For certain tumors to the drugs, the cancer cells completely, and push back for a long period.

• Adjuvant therapy: Following surgery or radiation therapy should be destroyed by chemotherapy previously undetected metastases, and are prevented from spreading.

• Neoadjuvant therapy before surgery or radiation therapy is reduced in the neoadjuvant therapy, the size of the tumor. As a result, radiation treatment or surgery easier or possible at all.

• Palliative therapy: chemotherapy agent is only prevented further growth of tumors and metastases, they themselves are not eliminated. So shall extend the life of those affected and the quality of life improved.

Since cytotoxic drugs act in the entire body and not just at one point, chemotherapy is used in the treatment of metastases that have already spread in the body. The same applies to diseases of the lymph (lymphoma) and blood cells (leukemia), since this is where the malignant cells spread rapidly throughout the body. And testicular tumors can be successfully treated with cytostatics.

Tumors in the digestive tract, certain brain tumors and renal cell carcinoma, however, are difficult to be treated as part of chemotherapy, as these tumors respond only partially to treatment with cytotoxic drugs.

Effects and side effects of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can shrink tumors and metastases, completely destroying or slowing the progression of the disease. At the same time can also alleviate the symptoms of those affected and the enhanced quality of life can be achieved. However, it is also that chemotherapy shows no effect (resistance).

Cytostatic effect in the nucleus of a cell and can affect cell metabolism. They prevent the cell to multiply it to alter the genetic material, or by contributing to its destruction. Primarily cytostatic effect on tumor cells because they multiply rapidly. However, they are also form a healthy body cells and damage here, especially the blood cells, hair and nails. Cytotoxic drugs also damage the mucous membranes of the stomach and mouth.

Chemotherapy is for those affected physically and mentally very demanding. There are often side effects. Stakeholders may suffer the following symptoms:

* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Inflammation of the mucous membranes, diarrhea, or pain on swallowing
* Changes in blood counts and possibly a weakening of the immune system and susceptibility to infection
* Hair loss

Less common symptoms and long-term effects occur as follows:

* Nervous disorders
* Allergies
* Damage to the heart, lung or kidney
* The effect on fertility, such as absence of menstruation or decrease fertility
* Premature onset of menopause in women
* Depression

Complaints can also be pronounced differently in each individual. Nausea and vomiting may weaken the parties concerned as much and be so uncomfortable that they want to stop treatment. Also, hair loss or loss of appetite are often very stressful. Doctors can therefore give additional medication to reduce the burden of side effects.

Proper nutrition during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a particular burden for the body. Therefore, one should refrain during treatment for alcohol and generally put on a healthy and balanced nutritional value, so that the body receives all necessary nutrients. In addition, some points should be considered to improve the general condition:

• If you experience nausea and poor appetite, it is better to eat several small meals throughout the day or to drink tea appetizing. Suitable examples are chamomile and peppermint tea.

• Dry pastries such as cookies, biscuits or toast can soothe the stomach immediately after waking up.

• With strong odor sensitivity, it may be helpful to other people cook for themselves and leave kitchen and dining room after a meal properly ventilated.

• Meals are easier to digest if the bites are long chewed.

• Concerned should avoid very salty or fatty foods, as they may irritate the stomach lining. It makes more sense to grab back on foods that you tolerate better.

• During the chemotherapy should be no raw meat, no raw fish, and no raw fruits or vegetables are eaten. Also taboo are mildew, or raw milk cheese and nuts. Fruit must not have any pressure points.

• Butter, margarine, honey and ketchup should be eaten only in serving containers. Bread must not be older than one day.

Forecast

Even after successful chemotherapy, after which no cancer can be detected, some time later, new metastases occur in a different body site. Regular checkups are particularly important to be able to discover a new disease at an early stage.

In many tumors and metastases by chemotherapy, growth can be stopped or even regress. In recent decades, through the chemotherapy, the treatment of many cancer patients improved significantly. They are also concerned a chance of recovery due to other treatments could not be reached.

Of cancer posed by internal organs and affect such as bowel, breast or prostate, is not a cure by chemotherapy often possible if only once have formed metastases. Then can the progression of the disease only slow down yet.

Alternative to chemotherapy

Cancer can be treated as an alternative to chemotherapy or radiation therapy by in an operation. These two treatment methods are even more common than the chemotherapy used. Which method is used depends on the nature of the disease and the individual circumstances.

Thanks to the research there for a long time next to the chemotherapy drugs that do not belong to the cytotoxic drugs, and can be used specifically against cancer cells. They are collectively referred to as “Targeted Therapy” or “targeted therapy“. These drugs are aimed targeted to specific targets of the tumor. Affected thereby shall remain by the burden of side effects of treatment largely spared.