Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled and continuous proliferation of cells in a certain part of the body, under the influence of various genetic and environmental factors. Unlike benign tumors, malignant tumors can spread to other tissues and organs. Cancer treatment and management of treatment may differ from patient to patient. The effect and success of the treatment; It varies depending on the type of cancer in the patient's body, the progression stage of the cancer, the general health status of the patient and the possible side effects of the treatment. Treatment methods in cancer and drugs used in treatment are increasing and developing day by day with the developing technology.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells multiply uncontrollably and continuously in a certain organ or region of the body. The structure of normal cells is disrupted by various genetic factors inherited from the family or by the effect of different environmental factors such as smoking and stress. Cells whose genetic structure is deteriorated begin to divide and multiply uncontrollably. Cancer causes deterioration of the structure and function of the tissue or organ. The body's own immune system plays a major role in fighting cancer cells. However, this defense is not always sufficient.
Cancer can spread and progress to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis. The most common types of cancer in our country and in the world; skin, lung, breast, prostate, stomach, colon (large intestine), cervix and blood cancers. In addition to these types of cancer, there are many subtypes of cancers seen in other tissues and organs. In cancer treatment, it is aimed to destroy the cancerous tissue by surgical operation or other treatment methods and not to return to the body (not relapse). The main treatment methods applied to cancer patients can be listed as follows:
- Surgical operation,
- Chemotherapy,
- Radiotherapy,
- Immunotherapy,
- Stem cell and bone marrow transplantation,
- Hormone therapy,
- Antibody therapy
The main treatment methods used in cancer treatment can be listed as
- Surgical operation
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Immunotherapy.
What is the Surgical Treatment Method in Cancer?
Surgical treatment is the treatment of cancerous tissues in the body. It is the process of removing it from the relevant area by surgical operations. In some types of cancer, this type of operation is used as the first treatment method. In some cases, surgical procedures are applied to diagnose the patient with suspected cancer. Side effects and risks of surgeries; It varies according to the type of cancer, the region where the cancerous cells are collected, and the general health status of the patient.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the process of giving chemotherapy drugs to the patient in various ways in order to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is used to prevent cancer cells from dividing, multiplying and spreading. This process affects rapidly growing cancer cells as well as rapidly growing healthy cells. For this reason, rapidly proliferating normal body cells such as intestines, hair, and skin are also adversely affected by chemotherapy.
What are the Types of Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy; It is a procedure that is applied considering the type, location, spread of the tumor, general health status and age of the patient. The frequency of chemotherapy is determined by the physician. The areas of use of chemotherapy can be as follows:
- Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: It is applied to shrink the tumor that has spread. The patient is made ready for the operation. It also helps to distinguish cancerous tissue from healthy tissue. no. It is mostly applied in regional but advanced cancer types such as breast, colon and rectum.
- Adjuvant Chemotherapy: It is applied after the tumor is surgically removed, to completely clear the remaining cancerous cells from the body. It is aimed to reduce the chance of recurrence (recurrence) of the cancer. It is also known as preventive treatment.
- Palliative Chemotherapy: It is applied to reduce the complaints of patients with serious and progressive cancer types. It is also known as supportive treatment method. With this treatment, it is aimed that the patient can perform his daily activities and reduce his complaints.
How is Chemotherapy Applied?
Chemotherapy drugs consist of more than 100 different types of drugs. . These drugs are administered at different times to minimize side effects and interactions with each other. The method of application is specific to the patient and is aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the drug. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered to the patient in four ways:
- Intravenous chemotherapy: It is usually administered through the arm vein. In some cases, the drug can also be administered through a catheter into larger veins in the body.
- Injection (intramuscular/subcutaneous) chemotherapy: It is administered intramuscularly or under the skin. It is injected directly into the abdomen, arm and leg muscles.
- Oral (oral) chemotherapy: These are chemotherapy drugs taken in the form of pills or capsules. It is taken orally.
- Externally on the skin (topical) chemotherapy: They are cancer drugs in cream form. It is applied by applying on cancer tissue.
- Intraperitoneal chemotherapy: It is a type of chemotherapy applied to the intra-body cavities. It is used for cancer types that tend to spread into the abdomen. It is applied to the intra-abdominal cavity, the area around the organs.
How Often Is Chemotherapy Applied?
The frequency of chemotherapy varies according to the type of chemotherapy received. Chemotherapy is applied in planned cures from the first session. The patient knows how often and how many cycles of chemotherapy he will receive. Each course of chemotherapy can take a few minutes or days. Between cures, time intervals are left for the patient to rest. The number of cycles, duration or type of drug, the patient's treatment It varies according to the response it gives to the patient.
What are the Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
All chemotherapy drugs reach cancerous tissues through the circulatory system, regardless of the method of administration. Thus, by acting on cancer cells, it kills them or prevents them from multiplying. However, healthy body cells can also be damaged during this time. Side effects that may occur in the patient due to damage to healthy body cells from chemotherapy are as follows:
- Loss of appetite,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Weakness ,
- Dry mouth,
- Wound formation in the mouth,
- Difficulty breathing,
- Sore throat,
- Diarrhea,
- Constipation,
- Anemia,
- Hair loss,
- Structural changes in skin and nails,
- Bruising in different parts of the body,
- Fever,
- Infection,
- Loss of libido,
- Sexual dysfunction,
- Weight loss.
What is Radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is a treatment method in which radiation is used to destroy cancer cells. It is also known as radiation therapy. In radiation therapy, it is aimed to destroy the cancer cells by disrupting the structure of cancer cells with radiation beams applied to cancer cells.
While healthy cells can repair the effect of radiation applied at certain doses, cancerous cells cannot get rid of this effect. In radiotherapy, the form and dose of administration are for the purpose of the treatment and are specific to the patient. It can be applied in all early or late stage tumors. Radiotherapy can be applied to the patient in 3 different ways:
- External radiotherapy: During the procedure, the radiation device does not touch the body. Radiation beams are sent to the person remotely.
- Internal radiotherapy: Radioactive materials are placed inside the body, near the tumor tissue.
- Whole body (systemic) radiotherapy: Radioactive drug is injected into the body intravenously or given orally as a liquid or pill. In this treatment, the radioactive substance spreads throughout the body. It is also known as atomic therapy.
What are the Uses of Radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy, or as it is known among the people, radiation therapy, in general terms It is used for four different purposes:
- Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy: Before surgery, cancer cells It is applied to shrink the tumor formed by Thus, as little tissue as possible is removed from the patient during the operation.
- Adjuvant Radiotherapy: It is radiotherapy applied after the operation. It is aimed to destroy the cancer cells that may remain in the body after the surgery. Thus, it is tried to prevent the recurrence (recurrence) of the cancer.
- Primary Radiotherapy: It is a type of radiotherapy applied alone. It is applied in some types of cancer such as laryngeal (vocal cords) tumor.
- Palliative Radiotherapy: It is applied to reduce the patient's complaints in advanced cancer cases. It is especially applied in the presence of brain and bone metastases. With this method, it is aimed to prevent or relieve the patient's complaints such as pain, bleeding and shortness of breath.
Is It Necessary to Prepare Before Radiotherapy?
According to the results of the examination, the location of the tumor and its spread areas are determined. The best treatment method suitable for the patient is determined by the physicians. The patient is informed about the treatment. Once the patient accepts the radiotherapy treatment, the patient is simulated.
During the simulation, the lying position of the patient during the treatment is adjusted, fixed and a movie is taken with the simulator. CT can also be used for preparatory screening of the patient. With tomography images, a three-dimensional picture of the patient's target organs and risk areas is obtained. Thus, the preparation stage before radiotherapy is completed.
How is Radiotherapy Applied?
Radiotherapy is usually applied for 3 to 9 weeks, 5 cycles per week. It can be applied multiple times in a day. Each session, given in small doses, takes about 15 minutes. External radiotherapy administration takes place on the instrument table. The patient is sent home after the application.
In internal radiotherapy, a metal tube is placed in certain parts of the body and a core implant is made. In cases where the implants need to be closer to the tissue, an operation may be required. Implants can remain in the body for a few minutes or for life. Internal radiotherapy requires hospitalization of the patient.
What are Radiotherapy Devices?
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