Disadvantages of Chemotherapy in Treating Prostate Cancer

Disadvantages of Chemotherapy in Treating Prostate Cancer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=D._Valerian]D. Valerian

Normally, human cells divide and increase permanently. This way our body is growing and inactive cells are replaced. That means a controlled process when the resulting cells are identically with their origin. Sometimes, from unknown reasons, the process gets out of control and the result of cells division is an abnormal growth called a tumour. When this tumour is malignant, its cells have the power to migrate nearby tissues and penetrate organs and bloodstream. This is cancer.

Chemotherapy is a treatment based on action of several agents such as: Mitoxantrone, Vinorelbine, Docetaxel, Estramustine or others. Basically, chemotherapy agents kill cancer cells that are actively multiplying.

The general disadvantage of chemotherapy, no matter of type of cancer, is the drugs cannot discriminate between fast-growing cells and kills all cells whether they are part of controlled or uncontrolled process. Acting that way, chemotherapy kills and 'good cells', including hair follicles, causing typical side

effects such as hair loss and other.

The disadvantage in treating is related to the fact cells multiply relatively slowly. This is the reason for chemotherapy is mostly used in aggressive stages of prostate cancer, or when used in common stages, cancer cells need to receive a longer exposure time to the anticancer agent. To compensate the longer exposure a lower dose is prescribed, situation that requires a permanent adjustable schedule of administration and special computerized devices.

It is really up to the patient and his doctors to decide whether on balance the advantages outweigh the risks.

D.Valerian is a freelance writer interested in items such as [http://4-prostate-cancer-treatment.blogspot.com/]prostate cancer treatment

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