Jul 16 2009
Types of Cancer Treating Drugs
The use of cancer treating drugs is not restricted to chemotherapy. Though chemotherapy is a familiar term to many people, few know the medications used in this treatment. There are other medications that are used to treat cancer as well.
Cancer treating drugs are usually only one component of someones cancer treatment plan. Radiation, surgery, and alternative cancer treatments are some other possible treatment methods for cancer.
Anticancer drugs are a class of cancer treating drugs that are used in chemotherapy. The drugs used in chemotherapy inhibit the growth and reproduction of cancer cells. Some anticancer drugs are Doxil, Hexalen, and Platinol.
There are different types of chemotherapy. Chemoembolization is the injection of anticancer drugs directly into the blood vessels that feed the tumor. For example, anticancer drugs may be injected into blood vessels in the liver to treat cancers present in the liver.
Interferon is used to treat many diseases including cancer. Interferon acts to prevent the spread or reappearance of cancer by helping the immune system identify and fight diseased cells. As part of postsurgical treatment after a cancerous tumor has been removed, Interferon may be given to prevent the reappearance of cancerous growths.
Interleukins are help to fight cancer by boosting the effectiveness of the immune system. The interleukins promote the production of red blood cells that are necessary for the immune system to work properly.
The effectiveness of these red blood cells to destroy diseased cells is also increased by Interleukins. Melanoma, renal cancer, and lymphoma treatments often include interleukins.
Antibodies naturally detect and bind to cells that carry antigens. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to target cancerous cells if the cancerous cells produce an antigen that significantly differs from antigens produced by normal cells in the body.
Anticancer drugs can be delivered directly to cancerous cells by monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are often part of the treatment plan for lymphoma or leukemia.
Hormones are a type of cancer treating drugs. Hormonal therapy is used to treat certain cancers such as breast and prostate cancers. The hormones can block the growth of the cancerous cells.
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