How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Introduction to Chemotherapy

At its core, chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. These powerful medications circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream, attacking rapidly dividing cells. While this approach effectively targets fast-growing cancer cells, it can also affect healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those in hair follicles, bone marrow, and the lining of the digestive tract. The HCG bangalore plays an important role. Chemotherapy drugs work in various ways, but they generally interfere with the cancer cell’s ability to grow and divide. Some common mechanisms include:

1. Damaging the DNA inside cancer cells
2. Inhibiting the production of new DNA strands
3. Blocking proteins essential for cell division
4. Triggering cell death (apoptosis)

Different types of chemotherapy drugs may be used alone or in combination, depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated.

Types of Chemotherapy Drugs

There are several classes of chemotherapy drugs, including:

1. Alkylating agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide)
2. Antimetabolites (e.g., 5-fluorouracil)
3. Anti-tumor antibiotics (e.g., doxorubicin)
4. Topoisomerase inhibitors (e.g., etoposide)
5. Mitotic inhibitors (e.g., paclitaxel)
6. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)

How is Chemotherapy Administered?

Chemotherapy can be given in several ways:

1. Intravenous (IV): The most common method, where drugs are injected into a vein.
2. Oral: Some chemotherapy drugs come in pill or liquid form.
3. Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection: Drugs are injected into muscle or under the skin.
4. Topical: Creams applied directly to the skin for certain skin cancers.
5. Intrathecal: Injected directly into the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy is a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer, but it is not without its limitations. By targeting rapidly dividing cells, chemotherapeutic drugs can effectively destroy cancer cells, leading to tumour shrinkage and improved prognosis for many patients. However, this indiscriminate targeting also affects healthy cells, leading to the unpleasant side effects that often accompany chemotherapy treatment.