Chemotherapy

Best Chemotherapy Treatment in Hyderabad, India

CARE hospitals offer comprehensive diagnoses and cancer treatments provided by qualified doctors and surgeons. We, at CARE Hospitals, strive to offer world-class cancer care treatments and services with a multidisciplinary team of doctors and care providers backed by state-of-the-art facilities, modern technology, and equipment. We provide a wide range of treatments for cancer including medical oncology, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology which includes chemotherapy treatment in Hyderabad.

Chemotherapy is a treatment of cancer under medical oncology using drugs to kill cancer cells and works effectively in the treatment of cancer when combined with other treatments of cancer such as radiation therapy and surgical oncology. The drugs destroy cancer cells by entirely stopping the spread or slowing the growth of cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is used to treat recurrent cancers or malignant cancer (cancerous cells that spread to other parts of the body). Chemotherapy drugs are either taken orally or intravenously by injecting directly into the fluid surrounding the brain or the abdominal cavity. 

Types of chemotherapy

Three types of chemotherapy treatment are available:

1. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is delivered to a patient before undergoing surgical or radiation procedures. This method is recommended when the tumor is too big or the location of the tumor is difficult to operate on. The drugs used in this type of therapy help reduce the size of the tumor to enable proper surgery

       2. Adjuvant chemotherapy

Adjuvant chemotherapy is delivered to a patient after a surgical or radiation procedure is done to help clean up any remaining cancerous cells invisible to the imaging tests. This treatment minimizes the chances of recurrences of cancer.

      3. Palliative chemotherapy

Palliative chemotherapy is used to manage the symptoms of cancer.

How chemotherapy is administered 

Chemotherapy may be administered in many ways, some of which include:

• Oral chemotherapy includes pills, liquids, or capsules meant to be swallowed.

• Intravenous chemotherapy puts the drug directly into the vein using a line.

• Injection chemotherapy uses a shot in a muscle of the arm, thigh, or hip, etc.

• Intrathecal chemotherapy includes injecting between the space of layers covering the brain and the spinal cord.

• Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is administered directly to the intestines, stomach, and liver.

• Intraarterial chemotherapy includes injecting directly into the artery that leads to the tumor.

• Topical chemotherapy comes in the form of a cream that is meant to be rubbed on the skin.

How does chemotherapy treat cancer? 

Chemotherapy is a systemic form of medication, that circulates through the bloodstream and reaches every part of the body.

There exists a variety of chemotherapy types, generally comprising potent chemicals designed to combat cancer by targeting cells at specific stages of the cell cycle. The cell cycle is the mechanism through which new cells are generated. Cancer cells undergo this process at an accelerated pace compared to normal cells, making chemotherapy particularly impactful on these rapidly dividing cells.

Given that chemotherapy affects the entire body as it travels through the bloodstream, it can also harm healthy cells undergoing their regular cell cycle. Consequently, chemotherapy is associated with side effects such as hair loss and nausea.

Deciding on the chemotherapy drug

There are many types of chemotherapy drugs available for chemotherapy treatment in Hyderabad for various types of cancer. The decision was taken by a doctor to include the type of drug in the treatment plan depending on the following factors:

• The type of cancer,

• The stage at which the cancer is currently in,

• If a patient has had chemotherapy before,

• If a patient has any other health problems such as diabetes or heart problems.

How often to receive chemotherapy

Treatment schedules for administering chemotherapy may vary from patient to patient. The frequency and length of chemotherapy may be determined by some factors:

• Type of cancer and stage,

• Purpose of chemotherapy ( to control the growth of cancer, to cure completely, or to ease symptoms),

• The type of chemotherapy a patient may receive,

• The response of a patient's body to chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy may be given in cycles followed by a period of rest. The rest period allows the body to recover and regenerate new healthy cells. It is best not to miss an appointment for chemotherapy. However, if it happens regardless, doctors can provide an alternative treatment schedule.

How chemotherapy may affect

Chemotherapy affects different people in different ways, which depend on:

• The type of chemotherapy administered,

• The dose of drugs being given,

• The type of cancer,

• Stage of advancement of cancer,

• Health conditions before chemotherapy.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Although chemotherapy drugs can work on eliminating cancerous cells, these drugs tend to destroy healthy cells of the mouth, the intestines, and other parts of the body which can cause some visible side effects in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Some of the side effects of chemotherapy include:

• Hair loss,

• Vomiting and nausea,

• Anemia,

• Diarrhea,

• Fatigue,

• Mouth sores,

• Low platelet count.

Procedure of chemotherapy

How do I prepare for chemotherapy treatment?

Your doctor will check if you're healthy enough for chemotherapy through tests. Meanwhile, you can get ready for treatment:

• Learn about your treatment: Find out more about your chemo drugs, their benefits, and possible side effects. Ask your doctor and look for online resources or support groups for additional information.
• Prepare for side effects: Plan ahead for potential side effects. For instance, if hair loss is likely, consider getting a wig or scarves. If skin changes are expected, buy gentle skincare products. There are many ways to prepare.
• Visit the dentist: Before starting treatment, make sure your teeth are healthy to avoid dental issues, as chemotherapy can cause mouth sores and affect taste buds.
• Manage finances: While most insurance covers chemotherapy, understanding your coverage and exploring patient assistance programs can ease financial stress. Check resources like the National Cancer Institute for support services.
• Plan at work: Discuss with your employer how chemotherapy might affect your work. Explore options like modified schedules, remote work, or taking time off on treatment days.
• Establish a treatment routine: Understand what your treatment involves, including the environment and duration. Plan accordingly, such as packing a lunch for long sessions or having activities like books or music to pass the time. Consider eating a snack before treatment to prevent nausea.

What happens during treatment?

The way your oncologist administers chemotherapy will influence your experience with the treatment.

Chemotherapy is commonly given systemically, meaning the drug circulates throughout your entire body. This can be done in several ways:

• Intravenous (IV): Administered through a vein, often referred to as an infusion. The majority of people receive chemotherapy through an IV.
• Injection: Given as a shot.
• Oral: Administered as a pill or liquid that you swallow.
• Topical: Applied as a cream to be rubbed into the skin.

For certain cancers that don't respond well to systemic chemotherapy, treatment may be targeted to a specific area of the body. Examples include:

• Intra-arterial chemotherapy: Delivered into an artery supplying blood to a tumor.
• Intracavitary chemotherapy: Directly introduced into a body cavity, such as the bladder or abdomen. One variant is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), where heated chemotherapy is placed in the abdomen after surgery.
• Intrathecal chemotherapy: Administered into the space between the brain and spinal cord.

How long is chemo treatment?

The duration of chemotherapy varies based on the specific type of treatment. A session can range from a few minutes to several hours, and in some cases, a continuous infusion lasting days may be necessary. Continuous infusions might commence in a hospital or infusion center and continue at home.

Typically, multiple rounds of chemotherapy are required. A single round may span several days or weeks, followed by a break to allow your body to recover. Subsequently, another round of chemotherapy may follow, maintaining the pattern of treatment and breaks.

The frequency of treatments can vary, with some individuals receiving chemotherapy daily, weekly, or monthly.

How to know if chemotherapy is working

During chemotherapy treatment, you may have to meet your doctor very often. Our doctors will take comprehensive care to look out for symptoms of other problems arising from chemotherapy. The doctor may perform a physical examination or order medical tests and scans which may include blood and urine tests, MRI, CT scan, or PET scan. These tests and scans are to be performed to provide insight into the progress of chemotherapy treatment. 

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