Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, and it can develop in any part of the body. It is a well-established fact that cancer cells are present in the body. However, there are various factors through which these cells are stimulated and can cause a type of cancer to grow.

Cancer is usually detected through screening of the patient, and the treatment of cancer depends on the diagnosis and the stage of cancer. Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for any kind of cancer. But it must be kept in mind that chemotherapy is usually used to treat cancer types that cannot be treated by medications or as per the recommendation of the doctor.

Why is chemotherapy used?
To understand why chemotherapy is used, one must first understand how it is performed. The primary goals of chemotherapy provided for any type of cancer are:

• Palliation
• Cure
• Control

Chemotherapy is the strategic use of various kinds of drugs that are administered to the patient. The treatment involves injecting the drugs into the bloodstream to make sure that the drugs reach every part of the body.

The concept of introducing such cancer treating drugs into the body is to make sure that the drugs damage the cancer cells. However, it must be kept in mind that these drugs can also cause damage to healthy cells. But, another point worth mentioning here is that as the drugs damage all kinds of cells in the body, including the healthy ones, the healthy cells in the body can repair themselves. But, the cancerous cells in the body cannot do so.

Furthermore, the primary use of chemotherapy, which is also known as chemo, is to treat metastasized cancer that has spread to different parts of the body from the original tumor.

Advantages of chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy may shrink cancer or slow down its growth, which can help a person suffering from cancer live longer and feel better.
• After surgery, chemo may reduce the chances of reoccurrence of cancer.
• There may be more regular check-ups, contact with the medical team, and tests. Some people may find this reassuring.
• For a small number of people suffering from borderline resectable cancer, chemotherapy may shrink cancer enough to make surgery for removal of cancer an option.

Disadvantages

• Chemo can cause several side effects.
• The patient would need to often go for treatment to the hospital, which can be tiring.
• Chemotherapy affects everyone differently, and it may not work so well for everyone.

Comparison of chemotherapy with other treatment options for cancer
Chemotherapy is chosen over other types of treatment options in cases where cancer cells have developed or spread to other parts of the body. Here is a comparison with other treatment options:

• Chemotherapy is used to treat the cells in every part of the body of the patient, unlike other types of treatment.
• Chemo may be used before or after the surgery or radiation therapy. The goal here is to make sure that cancer cells that are causing damage to the body are eradicated.
• Apart from this, other types of treatments may control, kill, or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Those treatment options do not treat the entire body.

Cancer is a deadly disease that is hard to cope with. Once a patient is diagnosed with such a disease, it may become overwhelming for them to deal with the treatment of the same.