Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy

There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they are often given in combinations to increase their effectiveness.

Chemotherapy, often referred to as "chemo," is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill rapidly growing cells in the body. It is one of the most widely used and effective treatment modalities for various types of cancer. Chemotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapies such as surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies.

The primary goal of chemotherapy is to eliminate cancerous cells, which grow and divide much faster than most normal cells. However, because chemotherapy drugs circulate throughout the body, they can also affect healthy cells, especially those that also divide quickly, such as cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles. This is what leads to many of the common side effects associated with chemotherapy.

There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they are often given in combinations to increase their effectiveness. These drugs can be administered intravenously, orally, or through other methods, depending on the type and stage of cancer, and the specific treatment plan.

Mechanism of Action

• Targets and kills rapidly dividing cancer cells.
• Interferes with the cell cycle (different drugs work at different phases).
• Can also damage normal rapidly dividing cells, leading to side effects.

 Purposes of Chemotherapy

• Curative – to cure the cancer.
• Adjuvant – to kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery.
• Neoadjuvant – to shrink tumors before surgery.
• Palliative – to reduce symptoms and improve life quality.

Common Types of Chemotherapy Drugs

• Alkylating agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide).
• Antimetabolites (e.g., 5-fluorouracil).
• Anti-tumor antibiotics (e.g., doxorubicin).
• Topoisomerase inhibitors (e.g., irinotecan).
• Mitotic inhibitors (e.g., paclitaxel).
• Platinum-based drugs (e.g., cisplatin).

Side Effects

• Short-term: nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores, low blood counts (anemia, neutropenia).
• Long-term: infertility, heart or kidney damage, cognitive effects ("chemo brain"), risk of secondary cancers.
• Side effects vary greatly depending on the drugs used, dose, and individual response.