How to Search For Information You Need
In general, finding information free on search engines requires a lot of patience and is time consuming. Free websites most likely provide only limited information if you are searching for something important. The best choice is to buy it because bought information is usually written by specialists and is copyrighted. [August 13, 2008 10:25:46 am] By Chic Ngo
Prostate Cancer Chemotherapy
By Kate Savage
Chemotherapy is a treatment used to treat cancer by using drugs. Usually, it is used after surgery to control growth or reappearance of cancer cells. It is very systematic method in which drugs are entered through the blood stream and travels throughout the body to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is also used in combination that gives better results. You can go through chemotherapy at home, clinic or hospital. Duration of chemotherapy depends on the type, stage and current health of patient that it can be given as daily, weekly, monthly or an on-off schedule.
There are various types of cancers and prostate cancer is one of them, which is caused by an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells that creates a tumor in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer begins mostly in the outer part of the prostate. It is common cancer and caused in men older than age 50. Prostate cancer chemotherapy is generally used as salvage treatment during hormone refractory prostate and for advanced prostate cancer. This treatment helps to extend the life and qualities of life.
It is salvage treatment and used when treatments like cryotherapy or prostate surgery fail. It is hormone therapy and once the patient begins it, the disease can be effectively controlled or even can be stopped for a period of time. Actual chemotherapy starts after this hormone therapy. Sometimes the disease may metastasize to the bone and is called as advanced prostate cancer with bone metastasis that can occur during hormone therapy treatment. Chemotherapy is used to treat the cells in the bones. Using chemotherapy drugs, we can relieve the pain associated with bone metastasis. Sometimes the radiation therapy is also used with chemotherapy.
There are some chemotherapy drugs that are used in advanced prostate cancer such as Mitozantrone, Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, Paclitaxel, Estramustine Phosphate and Etoposide. Draw back of chemotherapy is that it cannot be focused to any particular part of the body. Because this, the cells that divides quickly are getting affected, including hair follicles, bone marrow and skin gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes, chemotherapy gives side effects that may be severe and sometimes dangerous.
Chemotherapy causes side effects such as nausea, mouth sores, weight loss, hair loss, sensation to sun, omitting, menopause etc. However, chemotherapy can beneficial for patients having advance disease chemotherapy.
Prostate cancer chemotherapy is mostly used to treat prostrate cancer and to know more information about cancer and chemotherapy types click here
