Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): This is done to outline the two kidneys, the bladder and the two ureters that connect the kidneys with the ureters.
In order to do this, not only is the contrast needed to fill these organs, but the whole of the intestine needs to be cleared and cleaned so that, their shadow does not mask the picture of the urinary tract.
Bone marrow Biopsy: Marrow is reached after piercing the bone. In some situations, for example, in children, at the upper end of the hip bone, the marrow can be reached easily, or in the case of adults at the sternum, front bone of the chest. Bone marrow is usually taken from the flat bones as they can be easily pierced compared to the long bones, which are thick and harder.
Continue reading Cancer Treatment: Investigation of the Bones
Biopsy Examination: Lymph nodes or glands may be present on the surface of the body, for example, in the neck, axilla—the armpit or groin. From these places, it is not difficult to take out a whole gland and examine it histologically and also by culture for bacteria such as tubercle bocilli. But if the enlarged glands are present inside the body such as in the thorax or abdomen, then the part has to be operated upon and the gland removed.
Continue reading Cancer Treatment: Investigation of a Lymph Node
Radiation involves the exposure of a selected area of the body to a source of ionising radiation or X-rays under carefully controlled conditions. Treatment planning involves accurate localization of the cancer and calculation of the total radiation dose to be given and dividing the same into daily fractions over a period of some days or weeks so that there is optimum response and minimum side-effects.
Surgery is usually indicated in cases of localized cancers. It may be done either alone or in combination with other lines of treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Cancer can be treated by any or all the following methods depending upon the site and the stage of the disease.
Various anti-cancer drugs developed over a period of three decades, can be grouped into different categories depending upon what function of the cancerous cells they disturb so as to kill them.
Continue reading Cancer Treatment: Categories of Anti-cancer Drugs
Chemotherapy is the prevention or treatment of disease by the use of chemical substances. The term is sometimes restricted to the treatment of infectious diseases with antibiotics and other drugs or to the control of cancer with antimetabolites (that prevent cell growth) and similar drugs.
Cancers which develop in organs that are known to be under hormonal control, sometimes retain hormonal dependency. Withdrawing the source of the hormone in some such cases, lessens the growth of cancer. Cancers of the breast, prostate, uterus and thyroid are the ones amenable to hormonal treatment.
Continue reading Cancer Treatment: Hormonal Treatment of Certain Cancers
Side-effects vary from drug to drug. But there are some which are more commonly seen and these are as follows:
Weakness: This is one of the commonest side-effects with most of the anti-cancer drugs. If the patient shows improvement in cancer situation after treatment, this side-effect may be felt less and less as the treatment goes on.
Continue reading Cancer Treatment: Side-effects of Chemotherapy