Chemotherapy stands out as a treatment method that prevents both the growth and proliferation of cells that multiply abnormally and damage healthy tissues in the human body. Stating that the chemotherapy treatment, which can be administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly or directly to the organ where the tumor is located, is determined for the patient, Bayındır Health Group, one of the group companies of Türkiye İş Bankası, Head of Medical Oncology Department of Bayındır Söğütözü Hospital, Assoc. Dr. Ece Esin gave detailed information about chemotherapy applications.
Chemotherapy, which is used in cancer treatment, aims to destroy abnormal and unhealthy cells without damaging the healthy cells in the body. Stating that chemotherapy is an extremely effective treatment method, Bayındır Söğütözü Hospital Medical Oncology Department Head Assoc. Dr. Ece Esin said, “In the last 20 years, developments in technology, genetics and medical science have progressed at a dizzying pace. The reflections of these developments on the science of oncology also lead to promising results. In some disease types, complete recovery can be achieved with chemotherapy alone, while in others, chemotherapy can be applied sequentially or simultaneously with other treatment methods. The application methods of these treatment methods differ depending on the type and stage of the disease, other health problems and age of the patient. Chemotherapy agents, which can be considered as standard, mainly target abnormally dividing cells, aiming to stop the proliferation of these cells and destroy them. While it is possible to benefit the cancer patient with standard chemotherapy, the biggest concern is about possible side effects. Chemotherapy given directly to the blood to circulate in the body through the vein can affect the tumor cells at the points where it spreads in the body and cause the death of harmful cells. In order for the chemotherapy drug to be effective, an effective and safe result can be obtained by giving it not only intravenously, but sometimes orally. said.
In what ways is chemotherapy administered?
Stating that chemotherapy applications are in the form of oral or intravenous or intramuscular administration, sometimes directly to the area where the tumor is located, Assoc. Dr. Ece Esin gave detailed information:
“Orally (tablets and capsules): Some chemotherapy drugs are being developed for oral use. Since these drugs are as effective as intravenous drugs and have as many side effects as intravenous treatments, attention should be paid to how these drugs will be used, how long they will be taken, and what kind of side effects they may cause.
Intravenous (ampoules and vials): These drugs can be administered directly into the vein or sometimes diluted in serum. In intravenous treatment applications, the patient usually does not need to be hospitalized. However, in some intensive treatments with a long drug delivery time, the patient may need to be hospitalized for drug administration. These drugs, which are administered intravenously, should be used with great care, as they can cause irritation when passing through the vein or regional tissue damage when leaking out of the vein. Since vascular problems may occur in patients who receive long-term and frequent chemotherapy, devices called catheters and ports are inserted in these patients, and the treatment is carried out through these tools.
Regional way: Drugs can be applied directly to the area to be treated with chemotherapy. Medication can be applied to the abdominal cavity, lung cavity, urinary bladder, pericardium and cerebrospinal area with special needles.
Chemosaturation alters fate of liver and breast cancer metastases
Underlining that cancer can be treated not only with traditional treatment methods such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, but also with interventional radiological techniques, Medical Oncology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Ece Esin said, “Among the techniques used, techniques such as microwave ablation or radiofrequency ablation to burn tumor foci in the liver at high temperatures are used very often. In the presence of a more widespread tumor that cannot be treated with burning techniques, drugs can be sent to tumor foci with catheters that are inserted through the inguinal vein and advanced into the liver. However, in cases where these methods are not effective, chemosaturation is applied especially in malignant melanoma liver metastases and some common metastases such as breast cancer. Chemosaturation is based on the separation of the blood flow to the liver from the general blood circulation for a limited period of time, and immediately after this separation, a personalized dose of chemotherapy is given only to the liver vessel via a catheter. At the end of this period, which is determined as safe by allowing this chemotherapy to circulate only in the liver for a sufficient period of time, the blood coming out of the liver is filtered from the chemotherapy and given to the general circulation without chemotherapy, with the help of a kind of dialysis machine. Since it does not go away, the feared side effects are avoided.”