Treatment - Chemotherapy
Written by azliyana on Thursday, February 15, 2007
Chemotherapy is defined as the treatment of cancer using chemical substances. When cancer occurs, abnormal cells continue to divide uncontrolled. Anticancer, or chemotherapy drugs, work to destroy cancer cells by preventing them from multiplying. Read more on types of chemotherapy medicines.
Chemotherapy may be used to achieve different goals, depending on the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis and the age and health of the patient. Since chemotherapy for mesothelioma is not considered "curative", the goal is:
- To control the cancer by stopping its spread or slowing its growth.
- To shrink tumors prior to other treatments, such as surgery. This is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
- To destroy microscopic disease which may remain after surgery. This is called adjuvant chemotherapy.
- To relieve symptoms, such as pain. This is called palliative chemotherapy, and is given in cases when a drastic reduction in the tumor is not expected.
| Posted in »
0 comments: Responses to “ Treatment - Chemotherapy ”