Chemotherapy Doctor In Kolkata
Chemotherapy Doctor In Kolkata
Reach out to the best chemotherapy doctor in Kolkata
Chemotherapy is a critical component of cancer treatment, offering hope and a chance at recovery to millions of people worldwide. If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what chemotherapy is, how it works, and what to expect during treatment. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with an overview of chemotherapy, offering insights that will help you navigate this important aspect of cancer care.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy, often referred to as “chemo,” is a medical treatment that uses an aggressive form of drug therapy to destroy or slow down the growth of cancer cells in the body. These drugs target rapidly dividing cells, which is a characteristic of cancer cells. While chemotherapy is primarily used to treat cancer, it can also be used for other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and certain types of infections.
Chemotherapy is often combined with other therapies, such as surgery, hormone therapy, and so forth. Often, patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery are treated with chemotherapy to ensure any leftover cancer cells are eliminated.
How Does Chemotherapy Work?
Chemotherapy drugs can be administered in various ways, including intravenously (IV), orally (by mouth), as injections, or through other methods like creams or gels. Once inside the body, these drugs travel through the bloodstream, reaching cancer cells throughout the body. They interfere with the cancer cells’ ability to divide and grow, ultimately leading to their destruction.
Indications for Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used in various scenarios, including:1. Primary Treatment : The primary treatment method to shrink tumors before surgery or radiation therapy.
2. Adjuvant Therapy : After surgery or radiation to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
3. Palliative Care : To alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.
4. Neoadjuvant Therapy: To shrink tumors before surgery in cases where immediate removal isn’t possible.
5. Bone marrow disease : Besides cancer treatment, chemotherapy is also administered for people with bone marrow diseases or as part of the bone marrow stem cell treatment.
Types of Chemotherapy
There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they can be classified into several categories based on how they work and their specific targets:
1. Cytotoxic Drugs: These drugs directly kill cancer cells.
2. Targeted Therapy : Target specific molecules or pathways involved in cancer cell growth.
3. Hormone Therapy : Blocks the effects of hormones that promote cancer growth.
4. Immunotherapy : Boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
The choice of chemotherapy type and combination depends on the type of cancer, its stage, individual patient factors, and the approach of the chemotherapy doctor.
What to Expect During Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a serious treatment administered with respect to a critical condition. The best chemotherapy doctor in Kolkata can help you fully comprehend how to prepare for the therapy.
At the outset, you will be evaluated with some diagnostic investigations to ensure you are healthy enough for the procedure. The range of tests might include heart, blood, and liver function tests. Often, the chemotherapy doctor may install a port if you receive chemotherapy through intravenous mode.
Chemotherapy often endangers occasional side effects. You should take that into account and plan accordingly. Since the drugs in chemotherapy are designed to target the highly mutating characteristic of cancer cells, they often also end up destroying or inhibiting the growth of other cells.
Hence, in the aftermath of the procedure, you might experience side effects like hair loss, the advent of paleness in your skin, and even infertility. A lot of physicians advise freezing up sperm or eggs before you consent to receive the therapy as a proactive measure against infertility. Below are a few pointers you should keep in mind before walking into the deep water of chemotherapy:
1. Treatment Sessions: Chemotherapy is usually administered in cycles, with rest periods in between. The number of sessions depends on your treatment plan.
2. Side Effects : While chemotherapy is effective, it can also cause side effects like fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and changes in blood cell counts. Your healthcare team will provide strategies to manage these side effects.
3. Monitoring : Regular blood tests and medical check-ups are essential to track your progress and adjust treatment if necessary.
4. Lifestyle Adjustments : You may need to make dietary changes, practice good hygiene, and avoid infection risks during treatment.
How chemotherapy is administered
Depending on the state and stage of the malignancy, chemotherapy could be performed in several ways. It is usually administered through a pill or directly into veins by injection or an IV. However, there are several other ways to administer it as well.
The best chemotherapy doctor in Kolkata might consider performing it in the following ways:
- It can be performed right into the tumors.
- In the case of skin cancer, sometimes chemotherapy creams are also applied.
- It can also be delivered into specific parts of the body, including the abdomen, chest, central nervous system, or even into the bladder through the urethral channel.
- Often, liquid chemotherapy drugs are administered through a single-shot injection.
Dr Tanmoy Mondal as the best chemotherapy doctor in Kolkata
Dr. Tanmoy Mondal has been administering chemotherapy as a solo treatment and as part of combination therapy for more than eight years. His compassionate care ensures that all the side effects from the treatment are properly managed. By leveraging his veteran knowledge of oncology, he provides customized chemotherapy that remits cancer most effectively. Are you battling with a malignancy? Reach out to Dr. Tanmoy Mondal today!
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Dr. Tanmoy Kumar Mandal
D.M.(Medical Oncology), M.D.(General Medicine)
