Medical Oncology
Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer must be carried out in a multidisciplinary manner, through the collaboration of multiple medical specialties. One of these specialties, Medical Oncology, focuses on the drug-based treatment of cancer, known as chemotherapy.
At the Adatıp Hospital Oncology Unit, various advanced cancer treatments are provided, including chemotherapy, targeted (smart) drugs and molecules, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and biological therapies.
Unlike traditional chemotherapy, today’s targeted therapies are designed not only to treat the disease effectively but also to maximize patient comfort, and are applied individually and precisely tailored to each patient.
Chemotherapy may be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery as an adjuvant (protective) treatment. It can also be combined with radiotherapy, either before, after, or concurrently, depending on the treatment plan.
Since chemotherapy involves the use of cytotoxic drugs, it is a highly specialized medical field. The goal is to administer the medication at effective therapeutic doses while simultaneously monitoring and controlling potential side effects, ensuring both the efficacy and safety of the treatment for each patient.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy refers to the treatment of tumors using medication. Along with surgery and radiotherapy, it forms an essential part of comprehensive cancer treatment.
The primary goal of chemotherapy is to destroy tumor cells or prevent their growth and spread. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment may involve the use of a single drug or a combination of multiple drugs administered through different methods to achieve the most effective results.
What Is the Purpose of Chemotherapy?
Depending on the type of tumor and the individual characteristics of the patient, chemotherapy may be administered for different purposes, including:
- To completely eliminate the tumor and achieve full recovery
- To prevent the spread (metastasis) of the tumor
- To stop or slow down the growth of the tumor
- To reduce or relieve symptoms caused by the tumor
In each case, the main objective of chemotherapy is to control the disease, improve the patient’s quality of life, and, when possible, achieve a complete cure.
How Often and for How Long Is Chemotherapy Administered?
The frequency and duration of chemotherapy are determined based on a treatment plan (chemotherapy protocol) that is specifically designed according to the type of cancer and the patient’s overall condition.
The treatment schedule may be adjusted by the physician depending on the patient’s response to therapy and any side effects experienced. In most cases, chemotherapy is administered every 3 or 4 weeks, although some treatment protocols may require weekly or biweekly sessions.
The most critical aspect of chemotherapy timing is to ensure that the treatment is given as regularly and punctually as possible, within the limits allowed by side effects.
If treatment intervals are unnecessarily prolonged, the tumor may recover and develop resistance to the drugs, making it stronger and more difficult to treat. In such cases, the tumor may continue to grow and spread, reducing the overall effectiveness of therapy.
Therefore, patients should strictly adhere to their doctor’s instructions regarding chemotherapy appointments and avoid making any schedule changes on their own.
Where Is Chemotherapy Administered?
Chemotherapy must be administered only in medical centers where trained and experienced healthcare professionals specialize in this field.
Under no circumstances should chemotherapy be performed without the knowledge and authorization of the physician, nor should it be administered in any hospital or at home by healthcare personnel who lack chemotherapy experience.
Are There Other Treatment Options Besides Chemotherapy?
Today, personalized (individualized) treatments have become increasingly prominent. Researchers have identified genetic changes within cancer cells and developed targeted drugs designed to act specifically on these abnormalities.
Targeted therapies aim to inhibit the growth, reproduction, and spread of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Another treatment option, immunotherapy, works by strengthening the immune system and training immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. This approach helps the body’s own defense mechanisms fight cancer more effectively.
