Chemotherapy & cancer: an overview
When faced with a cancer diagnosis, the journey to recovery requires patience and persistence. However, advancements in medical science have brought forth an array of treatment options, offering hope and a fighting chance against this formidable disease. Among these treatments, chemotherapy stands as a vital pillar in the fight against cancer. In this article, we will delve into the pivotal role of chemotherapy in cancer treatment, shedding light on how the expertise of an experienced chemotherapy doctor in Kolkata can make a world of difference in this battle.
Chemotherapy: the main fulcrum of cancer treatment
Chemotherapy constitutes the crux of cancer treatment. The role of chemotherapy in treating cancer is as versatile as it is effective. Below, we have explored some strong reasons why chemotherapy is widely acclaimed as an effective cancer treatment.
Attacking Cancer Cells
Chemotherapy employs powerful medications that target and destroy cancer cells. These medications work by interfering with the cells’ ability to grow and divide, ultimately leading to their demise. Unlike other treatment modalities, chemotherapy can be administered systematically, allowing it to reach cancer cells throughout the body.
Primary Treatment or Adjuvant Therapy
Chemotherapy can be used as the primary treatment for certain types of cancer. In such cases, it aims to eliminate cancer cells entirely, preventing their spread and recurrence.
Additionally, chemotherapy may also be employed as adjuvant therapy, used in conjunction with other treatments such as surgery or radiation. As an adjuvant, chemotherapy serves to eradicate any remaining cancer cells after primary treatment, reducing the risk of relapse.
Palliative Care and Symptom Management
In cases where cancer has advanced or metastasized, chemotherapy can be a valuable tool in palliative care. While it may not aim to cure the disease entirely, chemotherapy can help alleviate symptoms, shrink tumours, and improve a patient’s quality of life. The best chemotherapy doctors in Kolkata work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address their unique needs and provide relief from pain, discomfort, and other cancer-related symptoms.
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy, the use of multiple chemotherapy drugs, has become a standard practice in cancer treatment. The synergy achieved through this approach allows for increased effectiveness and improved outcomes. Since combination therapy unleashes a bunch of different drugs, this multidimensional onslaught on the cancer cells helps target several processes in a cell’s growth at the same time.
Reduced risks of toxic effects
Since, in most chemotherapy procedures, the cancer doctor in Kolkata combines many medications in a single dose, each medication could be administered at lower than normal dosages. Consequently, chemotherapy can reduce the likelihood of toxic effects.
Lowering the resistance to the treatment The best chemotherapy doctors in Kolkata believe, in the case of combination chemotherapy, the cancer cells become incapable to offer significant resistance to the treatment. When a particular bacteria is resistant to one of the medications, the physician often advises a combination of medications instead. Likewise, in case of cancer treatment, the best chemotherapy doctor administers combination chemotherapy to weaken the resistance of the cancer cells.
