Oral Chemotherapy
Oral chemotherapy kills or weakens cancer cells, and it usually comes in the form of a pill. As with other prescription medications, people can take oral chemotherapy drugs at home.
Most people with cancer need more than one type of treatment. Other treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. You can take chemotherapy before, during, or after other treatments.
The treatment is typically performed in cycles/sessions lasting from one to six cycles, in most cases. Patients may get their chemotherapy cycles done in day-care in hospital, if it has to last for only few hours. But, few patients may require continuous infusions of the drug, which may be given over a few days or for even weeks at a time.
Advantages of Oral Chemotherapy
Many people prefer oral chemotherapy to intravenous chemotherapy because it involves less frequent trips to the hospital or clinic. Oral chemotherapy allows a person to undergo treatment in the comfort of their own home.
Can Chemotherapy be given as tablets?
Oral chemotherapy is a cancer-fighting drug given by mouth in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. It is prescribed by your doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant, and has the same benefits and risks as chemotherapy given by infusion. Today, many cancer patients receive oral chemotherapy as a treatment.
Is Chemotherapy expensive?
The price of chemotherapy varies depending on the kind of drugs used as part of the protocol. The price of all chemotherapy drugs has been falling over time. Several treatment options are often available and in many cases, cheaper drugs may be as effective as more expensive drugs.
Uses of Oral Chemotherapy
- To shrink a tumor before surgery, in an effort to downstage the disease and aim for complete cure.
- After surgery or remission, to remove any remaining cancer cells and delay or prevent a recurrence, thus curing the cancer completely.
- To slow disease progression and reduce symptoms in the later stages, even if a cure is unlikely.
