Disadvantages of Chemotherapy in Treating Prostate Cancer
Normally, human cells divide and increase permanently. This way our body is growing and inactive cells are replaced. That means a controlled process when the resulting cells are identically with their origin. Sometimes, from unknown reasons, the process gets out of control and the result of cells division is an abnormal growth called a tumour. When this tumour is malignant, its cells have the power to migrate nearby tissues and penetrate organs and bloodstream. This is cancer.
Chemotherapy is a treatment based on action of several agents such as: Mitoxantrone, Vinorelbine, Docetaxel, Estramustine or others. Basically, chemotherapy agents kill cancer cells that are actively multiplying.
The general disadvantage of chemotherapy, no matter of type of cancer, is the drugs cannot discriminate between fast-growing cells and kills all cells whether they are part of controlled or uncontrolled process. Acting that way, chemotherapy kills and 'good cells', including hair follicles, causing typical side effects such as hair loss and other.
The disadvantage in treating prostate cancer is related to the fact prostate cancer cells multiply relatively slowly. This is the reason for chemotherapy is mostly used in aggressive stages of prostate cancer, or when used in common stages, cancer cells need to receive a longer exposure time to the anticancer agent. To compensate the longer exposure a lower dose is prescribed, situation that requires a permanent adjustable schedule of administration and special computerized devices.
It is really up to the patient and his doctors to decide whether on balance the advantages outweigh the risks.
Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy has come a long way in the last several years. Many of the awful side effects of chemotherapy can be controlled or even prevented today and chemotherapy is often the best option available for treating cancer.
Chemotherapy is a general term that covers the use of many different chemical agents with the objective of inhabiting or stopping the growth of cancer cells and even killing cancer cells at sites in the body that are a long way from the original cancer.
The greatest majority of people who are diagnosed with cancer of any kind are treated with chemotherapy. That is because chemotherapy is effective. Chemotherapy can allow cancer patients to enjoy rich, full lives.
A treatment plan and a treatment schedule (a regimen) are recommended by the doctor for the administering of drugs included in the chemotherapy treatment. Some of these drugs are intended to fight the cancer, and some are intended to help support the cancer-fighting drugs. Doctors agree that keeping to the recommended schedule provides the best opportunity for the chemotherapy treatment to be successful.
The drugs used in chemotherapy treatment can be delivered by injection, by intravenous drip, or orally in pill form. The way the drug is administered is determined by the drug being used. Many of the cancer-fighting drugs used in chemotherapy are designed to kill fast-growing cancer cells. The problem is that these drugs can't tell the difference between fast-growing cancer cells and other fast-growing cells, including hair and blood cells.
Still, chemotherapy is often the very best choice available for treating cancer, even with the side effects. The best defense is always knowledge. Talk with your doctor. Work to understand the goals as well as the risks associated with each treatment. Only you can determine the benefit/risk balance that is right for you.
Categories
Archives
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009