Chemotherapy is a Treatment Modality that Uses Powerful Chemicals to Kill Fast Growing Cells in Body

Chemotherapy is used as:

· Primary treatment for cancer.
· Adjuvant therapy- Chemotherapy can be used after other treatments, such as surgery, to kill any cancer cells that might remain in the body.
· Neo adjuvant therapy- Chemotherapy can given before surgery or radiation to shrink a tumor so that other treatments are possible.
· For palliation- to relieve symptoms of cancer by killing some of the cancer cells in incurable cases.
· Chemotherapy is often used to prepare for a bone marrow transplant.
· Lower doses of chemotherapy drugs can help control an overactive immune system like in lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Before starting chemotherapy Blood tests and scans are performed to check functioning of body , it is important to treat any existing infections as chemotherapy reduces body's ability to fight infections.Also planning for long term side effects example preserving sperm or eggs

Many different chemotherapy drugs are available and can be administered in different ways

Chemotherapy infusions with use of pump

Chemotherapy pills

Chemotherapy injections

Chemotherapy creams especially in cases of skin cancer

Chemotherapy may be given alone or with other treatments.It may be given every week, or every month.

Mostly chemotherapy treatments are given in repeating cycles meaning a period of treatment followed by a period of rest thus allowing the body to make healthy new cells.

The course of chemotherapy depends on the type and grade of cancer the goal of treatment , the type of chemotherapy and the way body responds to the treatment.

After Effects of Chemotherapy depend on the type and amount of chemotherapy also how body reacts. There may be lot of side effects, some, or none at all.

Common side effects are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, and hair loss

Most of the after effects are temporary and gradually go as healthy cells usually recover but some long term effects like on fertility , heart , kidneys may be permanent .

Chemotherapy cost in India is approximately 650-1100 USD per cycle depending on the drug, the stage of the cancer and administering method etc, also the hospital chosen.


The results of chemotherapy depend on the stage and type of cancer,most chronic cancers cannot be cured, but some can be controlled or go in remission for months or years.As compared to radiation and surgery which act on target areas , chemotherapy acts on the entire body .

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