Cytostatic drugs destroy cancer cells by halting their development and multiplication in one ore more moments of the development cycle. Since some of the drugs are more efficient administered together rather than separately, often the treatment of, say breast cancer, consists of administering more breast cancer chemotherapy drugs at the same time. Another method used in the treatment of breast cancer is surgical intervention meant to remove the tumor. This way, surgery removes some of the symptoms caused by cancer.
On other occasions, the doctor could suggest a combination between radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Also, the doctor could use homeopathic therapy to stimulate the body’s natural capacities of defense against the cancer. Depending on the type of cancer and the stage of evolution, chemotherapy can be used for:
-curing the cancer; -stopping the expansion of the cancer; -slowing down the evolution of the cancer; -removing the symptoms caused by cancer; -destroying the cancer cells that have expanded to areas other than the original tumor; -improving the quality of life for patients in the final months of life – palliative chemotherapy.
Depending on the type of cancer and the drugs used against it, treatment will be administered in one of the following ways:
1. Intravenously. The medicine will be given through a fine needle inserted in a vain, usually, in the palm or forearm. Another method is to use a catheter, which is called a central venous catheter. Sometimes, the central venous catheter is attached to a small container made of plastic or some other material, surgically placed under the skin.
2. Orally. Through a pill, a capsule or in liquid form. This drug will be swallowed, just like any other drug.
3. Intramuscular-y. Under the skin or directly to a cancerous area through the skin, intralesionally. The medicine will be injected.
Chemotherapy with substances called aromatase inhibitors is not necessary after lumpectomy, radiation and five years of tamoxifen treatment for most women with breast cancer. In a study performed on 471 women diagnosed with breast cancer, all women suffered a lumpectomy and then followed a treatment with radiation, after which there was a 5 year treatment with tamoxifen. 150 women followed breast cancer chemotherapy with inhibitors.
Researchers have analyzed the group studied to see which women drew benefits from the additional chemotherapy. It was noted that women who did not have cancer five years after the surgery, radiation and tamoxifen had only a 2.5% chance for the cancer to return at the 10 year checkup.
In clinical practice, a benefit degree higher than 3% is used in the selection of patients for chemotherapy. Presuming a 40% reduction in the risk of cancer re-occurrence due to the adding of inhibitors in the 5 year tamoxifen therapy, the absolute benefit would be noticed in just 1% of the patients. Still, some women would benefit from chemotherapy, those who are before their menopause, who have cancer in the lymph nodes or who are suffering from other severe illnesses aside from cancer.