The malignancy that was found after Catherine, Princess of Wales, underwent abdominal surgery is being treated with prophylactic chemotherapy, the princess said on Friday. Here’s an explanation of preventative chemotherapy, even if it’s hard to pinpoint the exact circumstances because the 42-year-old princess withheld the type of cancer from everyone.
Strong medications are used in chemotherapy to prevent malignant cells from proliferating, dividing, and producing new cells. Depending on the malignancy, the extent of its spread, and the course of treatment, there are many different types of chemotherapy. These therapies generate adverse consequences because they are unable to discriminate between various types of cells, leading to the death of beneficial cells like white blood cells.
Why preventative?
According to Kimmie Ng, an oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the United States, preventative chemotherapy is frequently given following surgery to “decrease the likelihood” that cancer may recur, as reported to AFP. According to Lawrence Young, a professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, “microscopic cancer cells can remain lurking in the body and can’t be detected by current tests,” even after a successful operation.
In the words of University of Birmingham cancer surgeon Andrew Beggs, it’s “a bit like mopping a floor with bleach when you’ve spilt something on it” (Science Media Centre).
Side effects and duration?
The specific malignancy, the treatment, and the patient can all have an impact on how chemotherapy affects a person. However, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, appetite loss, and an elevated risk of infection are typical adverse effects. Vital organ damage and sepsis are two uncommon but more serious adverse effects that may occur.
Again, treatment plans might differ greatly, but according to Bob Phillips, a professor of pediatric oncology at the University of York, a typical chemotherapy regimen would be administered over the course of four to six blocks. “A day or few days of chemo, then time for the body to recover from it,” Phillips explained, summarizing the 21-day duration of a cycle. Preventive chemotherapy regimens typically span three to six months. People may need weeks or months to recuperate from the therapy.
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