Best Doctors for Chemotherapy Treatment in Hyderabad

The number of sessions that are required for chemotherapy depends on the cancer that is being treated and the severity of the condition. Chemotherapy may be needed for weeks, months, or longer, but chemotherapy sessions are done in cycles where there is a period when no drugs are administered to allow the body to heal.

Treatment of chemotherapy, its duration, and when it should be started or stopped are decided by the oncologist treating the condition. Chemotherapy may be the first step in the treatment of cancer, or it may be done after a surgical procedure, or it may be done in combination with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is stopped once the prescribed dosage is completed, or if the cancer is not responding to the chemotherapy being given.

Before starting chemotherapy treatment, the oncologist will advise certain blood tests to check for organ function and overall health, a dental checkup to clear any tooth or gum infection, and a chemo port inserted to allow for delivery of the chemotherapeutic drugs intravenously.

The best chemotherapy doctors in Hyderabad explain that there are several categories of drugs used in chemotherapy treatments and they all act by affecting one more phase of a cell's cycle. Categories of chemotherapeutic agents include alkylating agents, nitrosourea, antimetabolites, anti-tumor antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors, mitotic inhibitors, corticosteroids, undefined agents, biological agents, etc.

The effects of chemotherapy on cancer are assessed by oncologists on a regular basis and are done by checking how the tumor or cancer is responding to the treatment. The effectiveness is measured by the reduction in abnormal cell volume, activity, tumor size, etc.

The effectiveness of chemotherapy varies between individuals, the susceptibility of cancer to the chemotherapeutic agents, the stage of cancer, and the overall health of the individual.

The side effects of chemotherapy can include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Pain
• Body soreness
• Weakness
• Bleeding
• Skin rashes etc.

The questions that one should ask an oncologist before beginning chemotherapy treatment include:

• How long will the chemotherapy be? 
• How many sessions are required? 
• What are the side effects that may be experienced? 
• What are the do's and don'ts when receiving chemotherapy? 
• What are the possible long-term side effects on health such as fertility, etc.? 
• What is the limitation on activity and work that should be expected? 
• How long will it take to recover from the side effects? 
• What are the complications or severe adverse effects one should look for?