Cancer Treatment with Chemotherapy at RSU Hermina Pandanaran

Chemotherapy is a treatment that takes place by administering various drugs to kill cancer cells. The way chemotherapy drugs work is to stop the reproduction of cancer cells so as to prevent them from growing and spreading in the body. Our body tissues consist of billions of cells, where these cells grow and develop further. This process continues when there are cells that need repair. Normally, the body's cells continue to grow in a controlled manner and die. But in cancer, cancer cells grow uncontrollably. Therefore, chemotherapy is necessary to stop the spread or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Before carrying out clinical chemotherapy, you must determine the goals of the therapy itself. Chemotherapy has several different goals including: curing cancer completely (curative chemotherapy), helping other treatments to be more effective, for example it can be combined with radiotherapy (chemoradiation) or used before surgery (neo-adjuvant chemotherapy), reducing the risk of the cancer coming back after radiotherapy or surgery ( adjuvant chemotherapy, relieves symptoms if cure is not possible (palliative chemotherapy).

There are many types of chemotherapy drugs available. Chemotherapy drugs can be used alone or in combination to treat various types of cancer. However, all types of chemotherapy drugs work in a similar way. The drugs used in chemotherapy are useful for stopping the growth of cancer cells from multiplying thereby preventing cancer cells from growing and spreading in the body.

Chemotherapy may be given if the cancer has spread or has the potential to spread. In general, this treatment is carried out when:

1. Before surgery or radiation therapy to reduce the size of the tumor.
2. After surgery or radiation therapy to destroy the remaining cancer cells that have not been removed.
3. Maximizes treatment effects during radiation therapy and biologic therapy.

Types of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is generally systemic, meaning the drugs can spread to all parts of the body. There are several types of chemotherapy that are commonly used, such as:

1. Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy is the most common process. The medicine will go directly into the blood vessel through an IV
2. Intraperitoneal (IP) Medication is given through surgery or through a special tube that is inserted into the abdominal cavity.
3. Intraarterial (IA) Drugs are inserted into the arteries that distribute blood to cancer cells.
4. Injections are given using injections under the skin or muscle. Cancer sufferers can also receive injections in the arms, legs or around the stomach.
5. Oral, namely consumed by mouth in the form of pills or liquids that can be swallowed.
6. Topical means it is applied to the part of the body or skin that has cancer.

As a method of therapy, cancer chemotherapy is increasingly being used. Each type of cancer treatment with chemo has nearly the same success rate. The success rate of treatment will be based on the type of cancer, severity, age, and health condition of the patient. Consultation regarding chemotherapy with a Surgical Oncology Specialist at RSU Hermina Pandanaran.

Reference :

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Chemotherapy.

Healthline. (2023). Chemotherapy.

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Chemotherapy.