History of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used to treat various cancers. In chemotherapy treatment, drugs are administered using various methods to eradicate cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs through bloodstream travels all over the body. Chemotherapy can be applied before the surgery as well as after the surgery.

Chemotherapy is applied before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. It is also known as adjuvant chemotherapy. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is applied after the chemotherapy to kill the canner cells which is remained after the surgery.

Emergence of the chemotherapy dates back to 1940. First nitrogen mustards and folic acids were applied to remove cancer cells. Chemotherapy treatment has been evolving since then. However, limitations and principles used in the treatment have remained the same.

In 1958, drug named mehotrexate is successfully used to cure solid cell tumor called choriocarcenoma. This success was achieved by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

In 1965, the combination chemotherapy was started as it is more effective than single drug chemotherapy.

According to James Holland and Emil Freireich, chemotherapy for cancer must follow the strategy of combination of chemotherapy drugs. The combination of chemotherapy drugs vary as per the cancer.

Chemotherapy treatment helps to cure cancer however it also affects normal body cells. It causes some side effects. So it becomes necessary to use some supportive therapies to deal with side effects.

Some chemotherapy treatment method are anti-metabolits, alkylating agents, antitumor antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, anthracyclinesi, plant alkaloids.

BEP Chemotherapy

BEP chemotherapy is used treat testicular cancer or some type of ovarian cancer. In BEP chemotherapy following chemotherapy drugs are used to destroy cancer cell:

• Bleomycin
• Etoposide
• Cisplatin

Patient can take BEP chemotherapy as a day patient or during a short stay in hospital. Before the chemotherapy treatment, patient needs to give blood test. Doctor also check patient before the treatment. If the reports of the tests are normal, chemotherapy treatment schedule is prepared. It takes around two hours. Patient is given the drugs on the same day or after one or two days.

BEP chemotherapy drugs are administered in various ways. Your doctor prepare chemotherapy regimen for your treatment which include total chemotherapy plan, or schedule that you are going to have. Some anti sickness drugs (tablets or injections) are given to deal with side effects efficiently.

BEP chemotherapy destroys the cancer cells. However, it also affects normal body cells. It causes side effects. Each patient’s reaction to BEP chemotherapy is different. Some will have fewer side effects, while others patients may experience more side effects.

BEP chemotherapy associates with side effects including infection, bleeding, sickness, anemia, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, tiredness, mouth sores and ulcers and diarrhea. Consult with your health care team if you are suffering from any of the side effect during your chemotherapy treatment.