Best Medical Oncology Hospital in Mumbai, India

The word chemotherapy signifies “drug treatment.” It involves the use of one or more drugs that help in killing cancer cells or make them less active. As per a patient’s medical needs and the type of cancer being treated, chemotherapy can be given with a single drug or in a combination of multiple drugs.

Unlike healthy body cells which divide and reproduce in an orderly and controlled manner, cancer cells reproduce without proper control. Depending upon the advancement of cancer in a patient’s body, a doctor advice chemotherapy treatment to control the improper growth of cancer cells.

Chemotherapy drugs work by interfering with processes inside cancerous cells. It enters the bloodstream and travels around the body damaging cancerous cells so that they cannot divide and grow properly. Chemotherapy drugs also tend to affect healthy cells which are present in the body. Therefore, a patient can also experience a few side effects which are usually temporary, as healthy cells recover quicker than cancerous cells. However, the permanent damage with most chemotherapy cancer treatments is rare.
 

Patients receive chemotherapy treatment in two ways:

• Orally, by tablet or capsule 
• By injection 
  • Into the bloodstream through a vein, using an infusion (drip) or syringe (bolus)
  • In fluid spaces- interracial chemotherapy (spinal fluid), intraperitoneal chemotherapy (peritoneal cavity)

Sometimes, chemotherapy needs to be administered through a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC Line). It is a small tube that is inserted into a large vein of a patient’s chest or arm and helps in collecting blood samples and helps in delivering chemo medicines and other fluids. A PICC line can stay at chemo port for a long period. The consultant will discuss various modalities in detail with you.
 

Some of the major precautions involve:

• Wash your hands carefully while in the hospital. At Nanavati Max Hospital we take hygiene very seriously and promote infection control practices. We have alcohol hand rub kept at each hand wash basin and by the entrance of every clinical area (wards, day unit and outpatients). It is quicker and easier to use than soap when your hands are not soiled but might be carrying "hidden bugs." Please wash your hands after using the toilet or if you are suffering from conditions such as diarrhoea.
• Try to maintain good personal hygiene, take a bath regularly
• Maintain oral hygiene:
  • Brush your teeth daily. Use a soft toothbrush that won't hurt your gums
  • Keep a clean mouth and rinse after meals
• Be careful while using scissors, needles or knives. Make sure not to nick yourself.
• Change your bed linen regularly
• Avoid going to crowded places
• Avoid inhalation of dust
• Take care when handling pets
• Try to stay away from people suffering from contagious diseases. As you are prone to catch infections such as cold, flu and measles very easily. Inform your doctor immediately if you acquire an infectious or contagious disease such as Chicken Pox.
• Keep your surroundings clean, use a regular surface disinfectant.
• A patient might experience the risk of infection due to the type of chemotherapy he/she is receiving. Therefore, a doctor might prescribe "preventative" antibiotics to help protect patients from the most common infections. Please ensure you take them regularly as directed.

Chemotherapy tends to attack some normal cells in the human body and may cause some side effects. The side effects a patient might experience will depend upon the particular type of drug or combination of drugs he/she is receiving. 

Side-effects experience through chemotherapy depends upon person to person. Some may not experience any side effects at all, but if you experience any, please inform your consultant.