How Useful Is Chemotherapy in India?
1. Chemotherapy is useful or not?
The word “chemotherapy” comes from two Greek words; chemo meaning “to change” and therapy meaning “treatment”. In short, chemotherapy means changing the body’s cells to fight cancerous cells.
There are many types of cancers that can be treated using chemotherapy. However, do we really need to use chemotherapy to treat cancer?
2. Is chemotherapy effective?
There have been many studies done on the effectiveness of chemotherapy. A study was conducted on mice who had breast cancer and were given either chemotherapy or no treatment at all.
The results showed that the group that received chemotherapy lived longer than those who did not receive any treatment.
Another study was done on patients with ovarian cancer and they compared the survival rate between those who underwent surgery alone and those who received chemotherapy after their surgery.
The result showed that the group who received chemotherapy survived longer. These studies show that chemotherapy does work and is effective in treating some forms of cancer. But what about its side effects?
3. Are there alternatives to chemotherapy?
Yes, there are alternatives to chemotherapy. One alternative is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy works by damaging DNA inside the cancer cells. Since the cancer cells cannot repair the damaged DNA, they die.
Radiotherapy is commonly used for head and neck cancers. Another alternative is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy uses the immune system to destroy cancer cells. An example of immunotherapy is CAR-T cell therapy (CAR stands for chimeric antigen receptor).
4. What are the complications of chemotherapy?
One complication of chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting. Nausea occurs when the patient feels sick or nauseated.
Vomiting happens when the patient throws up. Both symptoms occur due to the drugs that the patient takes. Other complications of chemotherapy include hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea, mouth sores, and skin problems.
5. How long does chemotherapy last?
Chemotherapy lasts for a period of time depending on the type of drug used. Most of the time, the duration of chemotherapy is 2–3 months.
6. Do I have to take chemotherapy regularly if I am diagnosed with cancer?
No, you don’t have to take chemotherapy every day. You only have to take it when the doctor tells you to.
If you are taking chemotherapy for a certain amount of time, then you should stop taking the medication once the time is over.
7. Will I get cancer again?
It is possible that you may get cancer again even if you were cured of cancer before. Cancer is a disease that can return. Therefore, it is best to avoid having unprotected sex and to get tested regularly if you think you might have cancer.
Best Doctor for Chemotherapy in India
1. Dr. Hari Om Bhatnagar
Dr. Hari Om Bhattacharya is a renowned cancer specialist who specializes in treating patients suffering from various types of cancers.
He is known for his expertise in treating tumors using alternative therapies. His experience includes working at top hospitals in India and abroad.
2. Dr. Kunal Sharma
Kunal Sharma is a renowned cancer surgeon. He was born in Mumbai, India and graduated from Grant Medical College.
He completed his residency at Tata Memorial Hospital and then went on to complete fellowship training in surgical oncology at the University of Pennsylvania.
3. Dr. Rakesh Kumar
Rakesh Kumar is a well-known oncologist and medical expert. He has worked with several renowned institutions including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, and the National Institutes of Health. He is currently a professor at the Texas Tech University School of Medicine.
4. Dr. Rajesh Vaidya
Dr. Rajesh Vaidyanathan is a renowned gastroenterologist who specializes in gastrointestinal disorders. He is known for being able to diagnose and treat stomach ailments using noninvasive methods. He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, Indian Society of Gastroenterology, and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
5. Dr. Vikram Chauhan
Vikram Chauhan is a renowned pediatric surgeon who is best known for his work with children with congenital heart defects.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery from Delhi University and a master’s degree in surgery from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
6. Dr. Manish Jain
Manish Jain is a renowned cardiologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular conditions. He has over 20 years of experience and is a senior consultant at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.
7. Dr. Ashok Desai
Ashok Desai is a renowned plastic surgeon who specializes in reconstructive surgeries. He has been practicing for over 30 years and is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
He is a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
Read also – Live life Healthy with Hygienic Indian Food