Frequently Asked Questions

The frequency of chemotherapy treatments varies depending on the type of cancer and other factors. Generally, chemotherapy treatments are given every 2 to 3 weeks.

It is essential to talk to your doctor about any side effects you may experience during chemotherapy. Depending on the type and severity of the side effects, your doctor may be able to recommend ways to minimize or manage them.

During chemotherapy, you may experience side effects such as loss of appetite, fatigue, and nausea. You may also experience other side effects, such as hair loss, mouth sores, and skin changes.

The length of treatment depends on the type of cancer, the type of chemotherapy, and other factors. Generally, the length of chemotherapy ranges from a few weeks to several months.

No, chemotherapy is usually not painful. However, some people may experience side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Yes, there are several different types of chemotherapy. These include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, combination therapy, and monoclonal antibody therapy.

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs or medications to destroy cancer cells. It is one of the main types of cancer treatment.

A medical oncologist is usually a doctor who provides treatment and medical care to a person diagnosed with cancer using chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. These doctors are involved in patient care and management throughout the course of the disease. The role of a medical oncologist also includes - Explaining the procedure of diagnosis, available treatment and the stages of cancer. Ensuring compassion and quality care. Assisting patients in managing the symptoms and the side effects of cancer and its treatment.

There are different types of treatments used in medical oncology. These include - Chemotherapy - This involves using different types of drugs for cancer treatment that work towards stopping or slowing down their growth. This type of therapy is generally used to treat recurrent or metastatic cancers (cancer cells that spread to other parts of the body). Chemotherapy drugs are usually administered orally, intravenously or injected directly into the fluid surrounding the brain or the abdominal cavity. Hormone Therapy - Hormone-dependent or hormone-sensitive cancers are treated using this therapy. Hormone cancers usually use hormones for their growth. Cancers such as breast and ovarian cancers are typical examples of hormone cancers. Therefore, hormone therapy uses medicines to stop or decrease the production of hormones in the body and stops the growth of cancer cells. Targeted Therapy - This is an advanced cancer treatment that uses drugs to target the specific proteins and genes related to cancer growth. These drugs stop or restrict the spread of cancer cells inside the body. Immunotherapy - It is an innovative medical oncological procedure that uses the body’s immune cells to restrict the growth of cancer cells. In this procedure, the body’s immune mechanism is activated to destroy the infected cells and improve the functioning of the immune system.

Majorly two types of tumours are treated under medical oncology. These include malignant and benign tumours. While malignant tumours are cancerous, benign tumours are harmless and do not spread to the other parts of the body. These tumours continue to grow until their progress is stopped using different types of treatments such as medical oncology, surgical procedures, and radiation therapy.