Thursday, July 16, 2009

Cancer Treating Drugs

By Allan Tan

Cancer treating drugs are not just used in chemotherapy. There are other medication treatments for cancer. Depending on the type of cancer and other factors, the doctor may recommend other cancer fighting drugs.

The use of cancer treating drugs is often incorporated into a treatment plan that may include many treatment methods. Some other treatment methods for cancer that may be used are surgery, radiation treatment or alternative treatment methods.

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.

Interferons help the body fight infections and destroy diseased cells. In addition to the treatment of many diseases and infections, interferons are used as cancer treating drugs. Interferon may be part of postsurgical care after a cancerous tumor has been removed in order to prevent the reappearance of the tumor.

Immune system boosting medications used to treat cancer are called interleukins. The interleukins work by encouraging the production of the red blood cells that are needed for the immune system.

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.

Monoclonal antibodies can deliver anticancer drugs directly to the cancerous cells which can increase the effectiveness of the anticancer drugs. Monoclonal antibodies are used in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma.

Hormonal therapy is often used to treat prostate cancer and breast cancer. Hormones can act as cancer treating drugs by stopping the growth of cancerous cells.

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