Chemotherapy in cancer treatment aims to halt the division and spread of cancer cells into other tissues, thus preventing metastasis. Chemotherapy is employed as the primary induction therapy for advanced-stage diseases or in cases where alternative treatments prove ineffective, such as in lymphoma.
We use neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients when local treatment modalities such as surgery or radiation therapy are not enough.
Adjuvant chemotherapy is generally administered following local treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. Its primary objective is to reduce the risk of disease recurrence, whether locally or systemically, thereby extending the patient's survival.
As cancer development is influenced by various biological factors that determine the phenotypic traits of cancer cells and by biological factors within the body where the disease originates, biological therapies aim to establish biological control over cancer development. Their goal is to diminish or prevent the action of cancer-promoting agents that facilitate tumor growth into other tissues and metastasis.
The medications (chemotherapeutics) we utilize are akin to those employed in human oncology, albeit in smaller and consequently less detrimental dosages. This leads to a notable reduction in the side effects experienced by our patients. The majority of cancer treatment medications are administered intravenously, while some are delivered intramuscularly, subcutaneously, and orally (by mouth).
The duration and frequency of administering medication (chemotherapy) depend on the type of cancer and how well the patient tolerates the treatment. Treatment can be administered daily, weekly, or monthly, often with the timing between treatments tailored to each patient. Treatment is usually carried out in cycles, including rest periods, allowing patients time for recovery or developing healthy new cells.
The most common side effects (such as decreased white blood cell count, loss of appetite, nausea, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea) are generally mild and resolve spontaneously or improve rapidly with supportive systemic therapy and dose reduction. It is rare for side effects to be severe enough to require treatment interruption.