Definition Of Chemotherapy
Author: Alan Ross

Chemotherapy is the use of chemical agents to treat or control
diseases. It works by killing fast dividing cells like
cancerous cells and other healthy cells which include hair
follicles, bone marrow, reproductive system etc.

You would get anxious at the mention of chemotherapy for above
reasons but there is not much cause for worry as healthy cells
regenerate fast after the therapy is complete. Chemotherapy is
either used exclusively or in combination with radiation or
surgical therapies.

Advantages
Unlike radiation, which kills cancer cells in the target area,
chemotherapy is universal and treats the entire body. This
attacks the untreated cancer cells from the previous cancer
too. Doctors use chemotherapy depending on the spread and type
of cancer to

·Destroy cancer cells from the body, no withstanding its wide
spread
·Prolong life expectancy by controlling cancer growth and
spread
·Alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life

Chemotherapy Types and Methodology
Chemotherapy is not always based on a single drug for the fear
of developing resistance to the drug. On the other hand a
combination has different actions at the cellular level and
kills more cancer cells preventing further spread. Your doctor
decides on the combination considering your age, tolerance
limit, and health. Mind you, all such combinations are tested
on patients with similar conditions.

A few representative types.

1.Alkylating agents, deter the replication of DNA, prevents
cancer cell growth.
2.Antimetabolites, block the enzyme supply to cancer cells on
which they thrive.
3.Anti-tumor antibiotics change cell membranes by blocking
enzyme supply led cell division. These are not the general
antibiotics.
4.Nitrosoureas obstruct the ways DNA is repaired by enzymes.
5.Mitotic inhibitors inhibit cell division by hindering enzymes
essential in the cell reproduction.

Chemotherapy is administered cyclically considering the type of
drugs and your condition. Chemotherapy drugs travel thru the
entire body, so there are four ways devised for administration.


1.Intravenous method where drug is injected into your veins.
2.Oral chemotherapeutic pills to swallow.
3.Topical application (ointments) for skin cancers.
4.Intramuscular injection.

Side Effects
On the lighter side there are side effects like vomiting,
nausea, hair loss, dry mouth, constipation and loss of appetite
etc. Beware, some problems like damages to heart, lungs and
kidneys show much after the treatment. Urinating blood and
nervous damage and attack of secondary cancers like lymphoma,
leukemia is not ruled out.


About The Author: Alan Ross writes and contribute articles on
many topics. He is a nice guy too. Be sure to visit
http://www.chemotherapyforyou.info and his other website
http:/chemotherapy-foryou.info for more information.