Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is done with the aim of destroying cancerous cells growing in the bodies of individuals with cancer with drug treatment. The general name of these drugs is referred to as anticancer drugs. The drugs and methods used vary according to the type and stage of cancer.

• The most important goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer, regardless of its type and stage.
• For this purpose, cancerous cells spreading in the body are tried to be kept under control. Its growth and spread is prevented and controlled by chemotherapy treatment.
• It is also aimed to prevent health problems that arise during the cancer process. The pain is tried to be minimized with this method.

While chemotherapy does not work on its own in some cases, radiotherapy or surgical intervention is required along with it.

What is Chemotherapy?

It means treating cancer diseases with medicine. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, there may be changes in drugs and the duration of use. With the drug, it is aimed to destroy these bad cells by targeting the cancerous cells.

Even if non-cancerous clean cells are damaged, they have the potential to renew themselves. The damaged cancer cell cannot renew itself. However, the spread of cancerous cells in the body is very rapid. For this, it must be treated and controlled.

How Is Chemotherapy Done?

We can describe the chemotherapy process in two ways. The first is the preparation of the patient for chemotherapy treatment, the second is the administration of chemotherapy treatment.

Preparation of the Patient for Chemotherapy Treatment:

• Medicines given in cancer diseases are usually given to the patient by opening a vein. If the patient does not want vascular access every time, a tube called a catheter or an apparatus called a port is attached to one of the vessels in his neck.
• Before starting chemotherapy treatment, liver function test, kidney function test and complete blood count tests are performed. Cardiac examination should also be done.
• Chemotherapy treatment affects the body’s ability to fight infections. For this reason, if the patient has dental infections, it is necessary to have a dental examination before the treatment.
• Since chemotherapy will also affect the eggs and sperm of patients, doctors should inform beforehand. If the patient wishes, he/she can request to freeze the eggs or sperm. It should be said that the patient should prepare himself for hair loss, which is another side effect.
• Finally, the preparation phase is completed by discussing how the patient will return to his routine life.

Then, chemotherapy treatment is started for the patient.

Application of Chemotherapy Treatment to the Patient:

• Chemotherapy drugs are given to the patient by a method called infusion. In other words, the drugs put in the serum are given to the patient by opening the vascular access.
• Chemotherapy drugs can also be given orally to the patient as capsules or tablets.
• Chemotherapy drugs are also administered to the patient in the form of needles placed under the skin.
• Chemotherapy drugs are also given directly to cancerous cells in the patient.
• If there are vessels feeding the tumor and cancer, drugs can also be applied to these vessels.

How Long Does Chemotherapy Take?

As in any disease, the process in this disease is individual, but it varies. Many factors such as the patient himself, the type of cancer, and the stage of the cancer can change this period.

However, in general, the application time of some cancer drugs is 1-2 minutes, while the application of some varies between 2-5 days. Depending on the decision of the doctor according to the type of cancer, either a single drug or 2-4 drugs can be used together.

The administration of drugs and the patient’s rest period means a total of 1 cure. Although these cures are at least 4 sessions, they can take up to 1-2 years. The way the drugs are administered; It can be several days in a row, every 7 days, every 15 days, or every 21-28 days.

How Long Does a Chemotherapy Patient Live?

Chemotherapy process and dose vary according to the patient and the type of cancer. While the probability of patients’ survival was very low in the past, the survival rate of patients has increased considerably with current technology.

Not all cancers are actually fatal. While advanced cancers take the person out of life, this process can take up to 1-2 years with drug treatment. But in some cases, it has been observed that cancer patients live more than 5 years.

It would not be right to give life to an individual with cancer from here. At this stage, doctors give the most accurate information. You can find fast and accurate answers to all the questions you have in mind after meeting with authorized persons and being examined as soon as possible.

How Long Does 1 Cure Chemotherapy Last?

Chemotherapy is the name given to the drug treatment of cancer cells. The dose and duration of these procedures vary from person to person and according to the disease.

A course of chemotherapy proceeds as follows. For example, the patient receives chemotherapy treatment for a week. The doctor gives a 3-week rest period for the cancerous cells and the damaged clean cells to recover. This 4-week process means 1 cure.

How Do Blood Values ​​Increase After Chemotherapy?

A decrease in platelets and red and white blood cells can be seen while receiving chemotherapy. The reason for this is the heavy drugs used. This is normal and it is necessary to contact the doctor to raise it again after treatment.

Since the body takes an intense drug, patients who do not want to regulate with the drug should be fed with foods rich in iron. These are:

• Red meats
• Chicken and turkey meat
• Fish meats such as tuna and salmon
• Egg
• Tofu and soybeans
• Dried legumes rich in protein and iron such as dry beans, lentils, chickpeas, broad beans and kidney beans
• Oilseeds such as hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds
• Fresh vegetables and fruits
• Green leafy vegetables such as mint, parsley, arugula and spinach
• Tahini and molasses
• Dried fruits should be consumed under the supervision of a doctor

How to Relieve Pain After Chemotherapy?

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy methods used in cancer treatment can reduce cancer pain to a certain extent. However, pain is also among the possible side effects after chemotherapy treatment.

These pains usually occur in the muscles and bones. In this case, you should definitely communicate with your doctor and use the drugs he recommends to relieve pain.

When Do Chemotherapy Side Effects Start?

Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment with serious side effects. When people with cancer receive chemotherapy treatment, the most common side effects that will occur in their bodies are as follows:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Hair loss
• Cessation of appetite
• Signs of fatigue
• High fever
• Sores in the mouth
• Muscle and bone pains
• Bruises and bleeding on the skin

These most common side effects are usually seen in the first 24-48 hours and subside within 7-10 days. However, some side effects have been observed to be prolonged. In abnormal situations or if the side effects are prolonged, you should definitely contact your doctor.

What Is Good For Nausea After Chemotherapy?

The most common side effect of chemotherapy treatment used in cancer treatment is nausea. One of the issues that patients are most curious about is how this nausea goes away.

For nausea after chemotherapy, you should eat liquid foods that will be good for your stomach. Fruit juices, such as apple juice, will be good for your nausea. Eating pretzels, cheese or toast also shows nausea-reducing effects.

How Does Leg Pain Relieve After Chemotherapy?

Side effects are seen in the first 24-48 hours after treatment in people who receive chemotherapy. One of these side effects is pain in the legs. Pain in the muscles and bones is common due to the effects of drugs on the muscle and bone structure.

In order to avoid such situations, you need to be very careful about your diet after chemotherapy. Foods rich in calcium and protein will accelerate the recovery process of your body. If the severity of the pain is high, in this case, you can contact your doctor and the painkillers recommended by him can help you relieve your pain.

When Do Hair, Eyebrows and Eyelashes Grow After Chemotherapy?

Hair, eyelashes and eyebrows of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment may begin to fall out after treatment. This shedding is not permanent and the cells under the skin renew themselves and hair formation begins again. While some chemotherapy treatments do not cause shedding, some can. It should be noted that this situation will not be permanent.

However, it is necessary to be prepared for hair loss. These spills begin within 14 days following the treatment and increase in the next 1-2 months.

Since the hair will not start to grow immediately after shedding, the patient should be prepared for this situation. It needs to give its body time to regenerate cells and gradually expel the chemotherapy drugs.

Although not certain, there is a list below based on the hair growth times of some patients.

• After the chemotherapy treatment, indistinct hair starts to appear within 2-3 weeks.
• Within 1-2 months, thicker hair forms on the scalp.
• In 2-3 months, the size of the hair on the head can reach 2-3 cm.
• Within 6 months, hair growth can be seen up to 5-8 cm.
• In a year, although it is more durable, it reaches 10-15 cm.

It may take a few years to reach the hair you had before chemotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey is one of the countries where cancer treatment is successful. In particular, it has a more advanced technology than some European countries. By making technological leaps, Turkey has started to develop methods and devices to be used in the treatment of many diseases.

For this reason, being treated in Turkey is one of the most important wishes for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Many patients who are treated in Turkey return to their homes freely after getting rid of all cancerous cells.

Factors such as the advanced devices and methods used in hospitals, and the availability of friendly doctors and caregivers can be cited among the reasons for preferring Turkey in this regard. Expert doctors working in Turkey make you comfortable by answering all your questions accurately and quickly.

One of the most important issues that everyone is curious about is the prices of chemotherapy in Turkey. Prices vary depending on the type of disease, the hospital to be visited, and the treatment and methods to be applied. You should also contact us to have clear information about the price.