Types of chemotherapies
There are different types of chemotherapies, which are applied according to the conditions of each patient and the considerations of the medical team regarding the case.
What does chemotherapy consist of?
Chemotherapy is a treatment that takes advantage of the properties of certain types of drugs to fight cancer cells.
In particular, a characteristic of these drugs is that they are systemic; that is, they travel through the bloodstream until they reach any part of the body.
Without a doubt, chemotherapy is today one of the main alternatives for the treatment of various types of cancer; its primary function being to prevent the division and reproduction of cancer cells.
However, the main problem with these powerful chemicals is that they can damage the body’s healthy cells, which also go through their cell cycle.
What are the types of chemotherapy and in which cases are they indicated?
Depending on its route of administration, combination of drugs, mechanism of action or intention; Below, we will mention 5 types of chemotherapy that exist and when they can be applied to a cancer patient.
1. Induction chemotherapy
This type of chemotherapy is directed when the disease is in an advanced stage, in order to reduce the size of the tumor and fight the disease through possible surgical intervention. For example, in colon cancer with metastases to the liver, these types of chemo shrink the tumor and control the degree of metastasis so they can intervene.
2. Adjuvant chemotherapy
It is given after the patient has had surgery. Some studies suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy is standard for many cancers detected at an early stage; including the colon and breast cancels.
3. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Chemotherapy of this type is accompanied by cycles of radiotherapy. It starts before any surgical technique and manages to reduce the tumor radius, in order to improve the results of surgery. It is used in the treatment of anal, breast, bladder, larynx, esophagus, lung or bone cancer.
4. Concomitant chemotherapy
Also known as chemoradiotherapy, it is a combined treatment of concurrent administration that aims to enhance the local effect of radiation and the systematic effect of chemotherapy.
5. Palliative chemotherapy
This is applied only for types of cancer that reached a wide level of metastasis, and in the event of a low or no curative possibility; at least an attempt is made to give relief to pain.
How is chemotherapy given?
Depending on their method of administration, the types of chemotherapy may be classified as follows:
Orally:
In these cases, the patient receives the indications and can take the treatment in the form of pills, tablets, capsules or liquids; which are absorbed by the stomach or sublingually.
Subcutaneously:
It involves the use of an injector with a short needle like those used by diabetic patients for insulin delivery. This technique is placed in the space between the skin and muscles.
Intramuscular:
It is the method with the fastest action, if compared to the oral route. Its absorption is slower than intravenously, sublingually or subcutaneously. This type of chemo is commonly used with antiemetic medications, to prevent it from passing through the irritated stomach. However, most chemotherapy drugs are harsh chemicals and cannot be administered intramuscularly.
Iv:
It allows rapid entry and absorption through the bloodstream. This is the most common and versatile type, thanks to the flexibility you get when dosing the drug.
Extracurricular route:
It is used when medicines need to reach the spinal fluid in the spinal cord and brain. It is achieved by lumbar puncture or Ommaya reservoir.
Intraperitoneal route:
It is administered directly into the abdominal cavity, through a catheter located in the abdomen wall.
Intra-arterial route:
This is the most specialized method, where the drugs are delivered directly to the artery that supplies blood to the tumor. To do this, you should have an angiogram with x-rays and use a counter that helps visualize the blood vessels.
Intravesicular route:
This method delivers chemotherapy drugs through a urinary catheter directly into the bladder.
Intrapleural route:
It is given in the space between the lung and the wall of the rib cage. It is used to combat a malignant pleural effusion in the cancerous fluid in the pleural cavity.
Topically:
It is used to treat certain types of skin cancer. It comes as an ointment and the cream is adsorbed by the skin directly to the cancerous lesion.
How to manage the side effects of chemotherapy?
Some of the undesirable side effects caused by chemotherapy treatment include vomiting and nausea, hair loss, constipation, appetite changes, among other problems.
That is why one of the main recommendations to try to control or at least reduce its effect; It consists of resting and taking care of good eating habits, which include proper hydration.
Similarly, it is very important to follow the recommendations issued by the treating medical team, by virtue of providing the necessary treatment according to the type of cancer and its stage.
