Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Chemotherapy for breast cancer is divided into several types.

The principle of this method is the use of cytostatics, drugs that have antitumor effect. Usually they are administered intravenously, orally or with the help of a dropper. Chemotherapy is considered a "systemic" form of treatment, because as the cytostatics get into the bloodstream, they inhibit the growth of cancer cells in all organs, and not only in the place of injury.

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Indications for chemotherapy for breast cancer

The main indications for chemotherapy for breast cancer are the presence of malignant tumors in the chest. But this is not all, because such a method of treatment is used in other cases.

Thus, the indications for this type of treatment depend on many factors. The fact is that the key features of cancer tumors are their size, stage and hormonal status of a person. In addition, the growth rate of cancer cells, as well as the degree of involvement of regional lymph nodes in the process, affects. Also, one of the factors is the individual characteristics of the patient. These include age, the general condition of a woman and the location of the tumor.

The purpose of antitumor drugs is affected by the stage of the tumor. An important role is played by the condition of the ovaries, as well as the risk of complications and the positive effects of this procedure. Therefore, it is difficult to say unequivocally whether a woman will be prescribed chemotherapy for breast cancer. Much depends also on what the attending physician will say.

Course of chemotherapy for breast cancer

It is worth noting that the course of chemotherapy for breast cancer is an important component of the entire treatment process. Because getting rid of the tumor is not so simple. We need a full range of procedures that help complete recovery.

As a rule, we are talking not only about the appointment of antitumour drugs. Radiation therapy is prescribed, as well as surgical intervention. But all this is coordinated with the attending physician.

As for the cytostatic therapy itself, it is performed in cycles. What does this mean? Typically, the cycle of antitumor therapy is the time during which a woman receives a chemotherapy. The number of cycles depends on the condition of the woman. The necessary number of them and makes a full course of treatment. In this case, much depends on the drug, which is introduced. Usually one course can consist of either four or seven cycles. This question is solved with the attending physician. In general, chemotherapy for breast cancer is an effective way to get rid of a malignant tumor.

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Chemotherapy after removal of the breast

The fact is that chemotherapy after breast removal also carries some kind of positive action. Thanks to this method, it is possible to prevent the repeated development of the tumor. In addition, this method perfectly blocks the occurrence of new metastases. It also allows you to get rid of existing cancer cells. Well and most importantly, in this way you can avoid relapse in the future.

It is impossible to overestimate the efficacy of antitumor drugs. Because this method is based on the destruction of malignant cells and further inhibition of their development. Antitumor therapy can be used as an independent method, and can be combined with others.

In this case, everything depends on the condition of the woman and the stage of the disease. In general, cytostatic therapy can reduce malignant neoplasms. This leads to the fact that the tumor is excised with minimal tissue trauma. So it is effective both before the operation and after it. Because chemotherapy for breast cancer fights cancer cells.

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Red Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

The use of anthracyclines is the red chemotherapy of breast cancer. What is meant by this method? In fact, this is the use of preparations of red color. The fact is that this treatment is the most rigid of all existing. In addition, it is also a toxic method.

The reason for the negative impact on the body lies in an interesting combination of drugs. The matter is that red therapy is appointed proceeding from many criteria. So, this process is influenced by tumor size, growth rate, and also the spread of malignant cells. In addition, the age of the patient plays an important role, as well as immunohistological studies, etc.

The technique is really serious, but, nevertheless, it is widely used. During the course of treatment, red therapy is prescribed for all-round treatment of the tumor. To date, there are many schemes, as a result of which improvement is observed in almost 50-70% of patients. And the number of deaths decreased from 25% to 3%. Therefore, red chemotherapy for breast cancer is widely used.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

What is adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer? This method is used as an additional or prophylactic therapy. It is necessary in time for surgical breast cancer. In some cases, it is prescribed before or after surgery.

In general, an undoubted advantage of this method is the determination of tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. The truth is here and its shortcomings. This method can significantly delay surgery. Because in some cases there are difficulties in determining the histological type of the tumor. You can not do without problems with the determination of receptors for estrogens and progesterone.

Advantages of adjuvant antitumor therapy are quite numerous. This method is the most common and really has a positive effect. In general, chemotherapy for breast cancer is a compulsory measure to exclude further relapses and get rid of cancer cells.

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Chemotherapy schemes for breast cancer

What do the chemotherapy regimens of breast cancer include? So, it is worth noting that the circuit must have special properties. So, you need to destroy all varieties of cancer cells. And this is done in a certain area of the chest.

In addition, you need to use drugs, the effect of which is able to mutually reinforce without side effects. Cancer cells should not adapt to chemotherapy drugs. Finally, the treatment regimen must have a level of side effects that a person can tolerate.

The standard scheme of cytostatic therapy is simple. First, a woman meets a doctor as a counselor, he explains all sorts of side effects, as well as the advantages of the technique. Then the day is appointed when the procedure will be carried out. On the day of antitumor therapy, the nurse must measure blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse and body temperature. In addition, the growth and weight of the patient play an important role. Proceeding from these data, the dose of a medicine is selected.

After this, you can put a dropper with medicine. At the end of the injection, the intravenous catheter is removed from the vein and the person can go home. Such chemotherapy for breast cancer is a standard scheme.

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Preparations for chemotherapy of breast cancer

There are preparations for chemotherapy for breast cancer that have a positive effect on the healing process. So, to the list of these means carry alkylating substances. By their mechanism of action, they are similar to radiation. They contribute to the destruction of proteins that control the development of tumor cell genes. The most striking representative of this category of drugs is cyclophosphamide.

Other drugs have been called antimetabolites. These funds "deceive" a cancer cell, easily embedded in its genetic apparatus. After that, when the cell divides, its death occurs. One of the most popular drugs is 5-fluorouracil. In addition, the newest drug, gemzer, is also used.

Antibiotics. It should be noted immediately that they are not at all like traditional means. These are special anti-cancer antibiotics. The mechanism of their action is the complete deceleration of the division of genes. The most common drug is adriamycin. Often it is combined with cyto- cane.

Taxanes. These agents are active on microtubules. The class of these drugs include paclitaxel and docetaxel. The drugs promote the assembly of microtubules from the dimenes of tubulin and stabilize them. At the same time, the process of their depolymerization is completely excluded.

All these drugs are effective. But chemotherapy for breast cancer all the same requires an individual selection of medications. After all, a lot depends on the condition of a woman, a tumor and other factors.

Contraindications to chemotherapy for breast cancer

There are also contraindications to chemotherapy for breast cancer. This is due to the fact that such a procedure can not help in all cases. There is always a risk that a relapse will occur. Therefore, in most cases, antitumor drugs are ineffective.

The fact is that in women who suffer from hormone-dependent forms of cancer, this method is not applied. Because it is inefficient. But everything depends on the patient's age. So, young girls are often prescribed antitumor therapy. Women in their ages may not need this.

Girls with hormone-dependent forms of cancer have a lower estrogen and progesterone level. In this case, you have to use other methods. So, the ovarian function is suppressed with the help of medications. It is prescribed surgical removal of the ovaries, as well as taking drugs that block the effect of sex hormones. Therefore, chemotherapy for breast cancer in these patients is not used.

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Side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer

Many women frighten the side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Nothing wrong with that. Because, to a large extent, the actions are simply unpleasant. So, some women are afraid of the appearance of nausea, vomiting, and the development of leukopenia.

In fact, much depends on the woman herself and on how she will set herself up. But, despite this, the appearance of some side effects still can not be avoided. So, thrombocytopenia can develop . This decrease in the number of blood platelets. There is also a decrease in hemoglobin and alopecia (hair loss).

But in any case it is necessary to understand that it is a process of treatment. Therefore, sometimes for side-effects you just need to close your eyes. All these unpleasant moments can be experienced. Do not be afraid of the procedure because of this. Because chemotherapy for breast cancer is a woman's chance to start a new and healthy life.

Complications of chemotherapy for breast cancer

In some cases, complications of chemotherapy for breast cancer are possible, this fact is necessary to take into account. So why do different discomforts arise?

The fact is that cytostatic therapy damages and destroys tumor cells. But after all, the body consists of normal cells, which can also grow and multiply. Therefore, various problems arise.

As a result, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, anemia, and hair loss may occur. But this is more side effects. If we turn to complications, then the body is completely weakened, the immunity no longer fulfills its habitual functions to protect against external factors of aggression. Therefore, it is easy to "pick up" any infectious disease. In addition, serious damage to internal organs can occur. In this case, problems can persist for several years. And in general, chemotherapy for breast cancer can provoke a relapse of the disease in the future.

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