Chemotherapy is a range of treatments which aim to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells using the medicine, drugs, and other chemical compounds. Chemotherapy is most effective when combined with surgery and radiotherapy. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is dependent upon the type of cancer being treated, and its stage of development. Sometimes chemotherapy is able to completely destroy the cancerous cells, whilst in other cases, it may be able to prevent the further spread of the disease before surgery. Chemotherapy is also used to reduce the size of tumours before their surgical removal. Each form of cancer is unique, and as such chemotherapy treatments, the type of drugs used, and the duration of treatment vary on a case-to-case basis.
Usually, a combination of drugs is used which is tailored to the needs of the individual patient. Many other factors also influence the types of drugs used, such as age, underlying health issues, previous chemotherapy courses and family history. Chemotherapy is generally taken in cycles, with intense periods of 2-3 days of therapy followed by a rest period, which gives the body a chance to recover and replenish healthy cells. Depending on the stage of the cancer and aim of the treatment, anything between 1-5 cycles may be given.
The side-effects of chemotherapy are well-known. Whilst the therapy is able to target cancer cells, it is also impossible to avoid the destruction of healthy cells found in hair, skin and bone marrow. This results in the most noticeable side-effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss, sickness and fatigue, nausea, and the appearance of ageing. Chemotherapy side-effects wear off with time once the treatment has finished.
Which other cancer treatments are available abroad?
Travelling abroad for oncology treatment is becoming a popular choice, particularly for patients from countries where cancer care is inaccessible or waiting times are long. Destinations such as Germany, Israel, and Spain are renowned for their quality cancer treatment and experienced cancer specialists. Find Oncology Consultations Abroad Find Chemotherapy Abroad Find Chronic Leukemia Treatment Abroad,
| # | Country | Average Cost | Starting Cost | Highest Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | $842 | $600 | $1200 |
| 2 | Turkey | $1200 | $1200 | $1200 |
| 3 | Israel | $650 | $500 | $800 |
| 4 | Germany | $3500 | $3500 | $3500 |
| 5 | South Korea | $1200 | $1200 | $1200 |
There are many factors that can affect the costs
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Chemotherapy is the use of medicine or drugs that contain chemical substances to treat cancer. It can be used in combination with other cancer treatments such as radiotherapy or surgery. Chemotherapy works by destroying cancerous cells that quickly develop or multiply. While chemotherapy is used to destroy or slow down the growth of cancer cells, it can also destroy healthy cells such as those present in hair follicles and bone marrow. This accounts for some of the many side effects of chemotherapy, which include hair loss, fatigue, and nausea. The side effects will usually subside after the treatment is complete.
Depending on the type of cancer being treated, chemotherapy may be able to fully destroy the cancer, control it by stopping the cells from dividing and multiplying, or help to relieve symptoms of cancer. By having chemotherapy before surgery, it can help to reduce the size of the cancer or prevent it from spreading, therefore making it easier to surgically remove the remaining cancer. During chemotherapy treatment, one particular drug may be used, or the doctor may use a combination of drugs. The treatment is given in cycles, which means it is given over a period of a certain amount of days, and is then followed by a rest period of 3 weeks for example, in order to allow the body to recover and produce new healthy cells before the next cycle. The amount of cycles required depends on the type of cancer being treated, the aim of the treatment, and on the individual patient.
Recommended for Treating cancer Managing cancer Time requirements Number of days in hospital 1 . After receiving chemotherapy, the patient will usually leave the hospital on the same day. Average length of stay abroad The amount of time abroad will depend on how many chemotherapy cycles are required. Before the treatment begins, the patient will meet with the doctor to prepare for the chemotherapy.
Before beginning treatment, the patient will meet with the oncologist to discuss the treatment plan. The doctor will advise on the drugs that will be used and on the method of administering the drugs. The oncologist will perform a series of tests to ensure that the patient is healthy enough to have chemotherapy. If patients plan to have children, the oncologist may refer the patient to a fertility specialist, as having chemotherapy can cause infertility, therefore freezing embryos or sperm can optimize the chances to later conceive a baby.
The oncologist may advise that the patient should make an appointment with a dentist in order to ensure there are no infections inside the mouth after the chemotherapy, as this can be one of the side effects of treatment. If the chemotherapy will be administered intravenously, then a central venous catheter (CVC) may be implanted into a large vein in the upper arm before the treatment, in order to aid the transfer of drugs into the body. Patients should arrange for someone to take them back to the hotel after the treatment as they may feel exhausted and nauseous afterwards.
Patients with complex conditions may benefit from seeking a second opinion before beginning a treatment plan. A second opinion means that another doctor, usually an expert with a lot of experience, will review the patient's medical history, symptoms, scans, test results, and other important information, in order to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.
There are various methods of administering chemotherapy which include intravenous (IV), intra-arterial (IA), or intraperitoneal (IP) injections. Chemotherapy can also be given orally or applied using topical creams. Chemotherapy administered intravenously may be delivered via a central venous catheter (CVC) that is implanted before the treatment, a central line in the chest, or directly into a vein through a cannula placed in the hand. A needle, which is connected to a tube that the drugs flow through, is inserted into the CVC, central line, or the cannula to deliver the drugs.
The drugs can be injected into the blood with a needle or can be administered through an artery, which is referred to intra-arterial (IA). Intraperitoneal administration involves administering the drugs through peritoneal cavity which contains the stomach, intestines, and liver. The drugs can be applied to the skin topically as a cream which is absorbed by the body. The other option is to administer the drugs orally through tablet or liquid form. Chemotherapy is most commonly administered intravenously.,
Following are the best 10 hospitals for Chemotherapy in the world:
| # | Hospital | Country | City | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aakash Hospital | India | New Delhi | --- | |
| 2 | Sikarin Hospital | Thailand | Bangkok | --- | |
| 3 | Acibadem Taksim | Turkey | Istanbul | --- | |
| 4 | Apollo Gleneagles Hospital | India | Kolkata | --- | |
| 5 | Assuta Hospital | Israel | Tel Aviv | $800 | |
| 6 | Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwant... | India | Bangalore | --- | |
| 7 | Medanta - The Medicity | India | Gurgaon | $850 | |
| 8 | Global Hospitals | India | Mumbai | --- | |
| 9 | Apollo Hospital Chennai | India | Chennai | --- | |
| 10 | Beijing Puhua International Hospital | China | Beijing | --- |
Following are the best doctors for Chemotherapy in the world:
| # | DOCTOR | SPECIALITY | HOSPITAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. C. Sai Ram | Medical Oncologist | Fortis Malar Hospital, Ch... | |
| 2 | Dr. Prakasit Chirappapha | Surgical Oncologist | Bumrungrad International... | |
| 3 | Prof. A. Bekir Ozturk | Medical Oncologist | Hisar Intercontinental Ho... | |
| 4 | Dr. Atul Srivastava | Surgical Oncologist | Dharamshila Narayana Supe... | |
| 5 | Dr. Pawan Gupta | Surgical Oncologist | Jaypee Hospital | |
| 6 | Dr. Anil Heroor | Surgical Oncologist | Fortis Hospital Mulund | |
| 7 | Dr. Boman Dhabar | Medical Oncologist | Fortis Hospital Mulund | |
| 8 | Dr. Haresh Manglani | Surgical Oncologist | Fortis Hospital Mulund | |
| 9 | Dr. Dattatraya Muzumdar | Neurosurgeon | Fortis Hospital Mulund | |
| 10 | Dr. K. M. Parthasarthy | Medical Oncologist | Dharamshila Narayana Supe... |
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Mozocare is a medical access platform for hospitals and clinics to assist patients access best medical care at affordable prices. Mozocare Insights provides Health News, Latest treatment innovation, Hospital ranking , Healthcare Industry Information and Knowledge sharing .
The information on this page was reviewed and approved by Mozocare team. This page was updated on 20 Nov, 2020.