Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells arresting the growth, by using drugs called antineoplastic. Cancer cells replicate more rapidly than normal; substances used in chemotherapy interfere with the mechanisms related to the replication of cells, killing them in the process (cytotoxic effect).
Why do you need chemotherapy?
- To reduce the size of the tumor
- To keep the disease under control and slow down the evolution
- To relieve the symptoms and pain caused by metastases and preserve a decent quality of life.
In the past, this strategy was not commonly used in the management of prostate cancer; the old drugs were not particularly effective.In recent years there have been many advances and chemotherapy is used mainly when the cancer is in a metastatic stage, i.e. when it has spread outside the prostate and hormonal therapy is not sufficient.
show more
PHSI/ZYT/0817/0002