Chemotherapy in India

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing. It is used across almost every type of cancer, sometimes as the main treatment, sometimes before surgery to shrink a tumor, and sometimes after surgery to reduce the chance of the cancer returning. The specific drugs, doses, and number of cycles depend entirely on the cancer type, its stage, and the patient's overall health.

How it's given

Most chemotherapy is given intravenously in a day-care setting, meaning the patient comes in for a session lasting a few hours and goes home the same day. Some regimens are given as tablets, and in certain cancers, chemotherapy may be delivered directly into the spinal fluid. Treatment is usually given in cycles, a dose followed by a rest period to let the body recover, repeated over weeks or months.

Standard chemotherapy vs targeted therapy and immunotherapy

Conventional chemotherapy drugs work by attacking rapidly dividing cells throughout the body, which is also why side effects like hair loss and low blood counts occur. Newer targeted therapies and immunotherapies work differently, aiming more specifically at cancer cell characteristics, and are increasingly used for certain cancer types, though they generally cost more than conventional chemotherapy.

Managing side effects

Side effects vary by drug and person, and can include nausea, fatigue, low blood counts, and increased infection risk. Supportive medications, blood tests, and monitoring between cycles are a standard part of care and help manage these effects, though they add to the cost of each cycle beyond the drug price alone.