Treatments and Combinations
More than 50 chemotherapy drugs exist to treat cancer, all of which may have bothersome side effects. These side effects, however, may be temporary and typically subside when treatment has ended. Different drugs may be combined, and other therapies may be added to the treatment plan, such as radiotherapy and surgery. Individuals may undergo specific treatments based on the severity and type of cancer, as well as the places in the body the cancer has reached.
Drug Effects
The chemotherapy drugs affect the cancer cells by attacking them and preventing them from spreading in the body. According to the American Cancer Society, alkylating agents (a class of drugs) directly damage DNA to prevent the cancer cell from reproducing. Other drugs, such as anthracyclines, are anti-tumor antibiotics. These drugs interfere with enzymes involved in DNA replication. Many other drugs and can be given, and there are several ways the drugs can be administered. Most commonly, however, they are taken by injection. When the drugs are injected into the vein, they are carried in the blood and throughout the body, finding the sources of cancer wherever they exist. Chemotherapy creams may be given for those with skin conditions, and tablets or capsules are for those on an oral treatment plan. When the drugs are given in specific regions, such as the pelvic or bladder cavity, the drugs do not harm the healthy cells that exist in other parts of the body, as the drugs remain in the area that they were administered.
Courses & Rest Periods
Due to the aggressiveness of the chemotherapy drugs, the body needs to rest between treatments in order for healthy cells to recover. With each treatment, more of the cancer is destroyed. After the treatment, the rest period will follow. Another treatment may then be resumed in order to complete a cycle. The amount of treatments given depends upon the body's response to the drugs.
Tags: chemotherapy drugs, drugs given, healthy cells, side effects, treatment plan