Chemotherapy Research Paper

Words: 747
Pages: 3
Open Document
Chemotherapy is a well-known treatment option for cancer that utilizes chemical agents to completely eradicate all dividing cells. Some of these chemical agents include antimetabolites, plant alkaloids, alklyating agents, antitumor antibiotics, and steroid hormones. Chemotheraphy is generally administered intravenously, by mouth, or into a muscle. It is administered in intervals over an extended period. It is favored over other methods such as radiation and surgery because chemotherapy is a drug that travels all over the body to reach cancer cells, wherever they may be. This provides an easier way of treating the illness without being too invasive or damaging to a human's body. When a person is diagnosed with cancer and they see a doctor, …show more content…
The majority of chemotherapy supports the idea that the most rapidly dividing cells are going to be the most vulnerable to the drug. An example of this is methotrexate. Methotrexate is given in very high doses which can be lethal if not monitored properly by a physician. It is an anti-folate. Its purpose is to have competition with folate in the pathway that synthesizes thymine from uracil. Thymine is one of the four nucleotides required for the synthesis of DNA. The cancer cells are the most rapid dividing cells in the body, so they require the highest need for the synthesis of DNA. Methotrexate is supposed to kill off more cancerous than healthy cells, but this is not always the case. Dihydrofolate reductase is a key enzyme that helps to activate folate for thymine. The methotrexate drug will actually attach itself to the dihydrofolate reductase and block the pathway at this step. The blockage triggers a misincorporation of bases into the tumor's DNA, which will possibly cause the cell to die. The problem that has been discovered is that drugs like methotrexate can often be ineffective to a tumor. The tumor can be immune to this specific type of treatment, causing further trauma to the body. With the possibility of undergoing long periods of time in which drugs are being pumped into your body, and no healing occurs, this can be a reason why someone may choose to stay away from …show more content…
Some of these side effects include nausea, anemia, fatigue, infections within the body, diarrhea and vomiting, hair loss, and destruction of the immune system, causing a person to be highly susceptible to any illnesses that they may come into contact with. Research by E. Hall et al. (2014)supports the claim that chemotherapy has many disadvantages. The study compared two types of chemotherapy on 830 patients with breast cancer. The 830 patients were studied for five years. The study concluded that the expected negative effects of the chemotherapy caused only disruption and stress during treatment and there was no improvements in the cancer outcome after five years. The patients were only put through five years of stress to find out that their cancer was not eradicated completely. Clearly, chemotherapy can deter the patient from using the method just based on the rate of success. Pedersen, Koktved, & Nielsen (2013) conducted a study which determined the impact on everyday life from undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The study found that patients not only struggled with physical symptoms but also found it nearly impossible to try to take care of themselves and gain enough knowledge to maintain a normal every day life. It seems that chemotherapy has many disadvantages that can cause a patient to choose a different method of
Show More

Related Documents: Chemotherapy Research Paper

Radiation And Chemotherapy Research Paper

Radiation or Chemotherapy Cancer is an infectious disease that is difficult to get rid of. There are many types of therapies patients may undergo, but the two most intense are radiation and chemotherapy. The cancer cells become targeted for termination. Many patients contemplate which may be best for their diagnosis. Radiation and chemotherapy differ in side effects physically while some emotional side effects are often similar. There are several different forms of chemotherapy while there is only…

Words 559 - Pages 3

Ups And Downs Of Chemotherapy Research Paper

Ups And Downs Of Chemotherapy The word Cancer brings different emotions, thoughts, fears to the person and family that receive this diagnoses. As Sidney Jones says “ Not knowing would you be here for tomorrow, the thoughts of has your life been meaningful”(Jones). These are all things that we as humans consider when our mortality is questioned.One of the many treatments for cancer is chemotherapy. Having to take chemotherapy treatment has its effects on the patient financially, physically, mentally…

Words 1450 - Pages 6

Emily Hatfield Disease Literacy Laboratory Media Cancer Case Study

therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Ovarian Cancer Location: Occurs in the ovaries, which are part of the female reproductive system responsible for producing eggs and hormones. Detection: Pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasound, CA-125 blood test, and biopsy. Treatment Options: Surgery (e.g., oophorectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Prostate Cancer Location:…

Words 558 - Pages 3

Essay about Medical Marijuana

Running Head: FINAL RESEARCH PAPER 1 Final Research Paper Medical Marijuana FINAL RESEARCH PAPER 2 Alternative medicine has become a rather popular method of relieving everything from a headache to depression. Some common forms of alternative medic include aromatherapy, acupuncture, and crystal therapy. Among them is the healing power of medical cannabis. It has been praised for its soothing and hallucinogenic qualities. Medical marijuana has been on the forefront of public debate…

Words 856 - Pages 4

Melanoma Research Paper

Melanoma Abstract Melanoma is considered the rarest yet deadliest form of skin cancer. The research paper aims to highlight and examine different aspects of melanoma. Foremost a brief definition of melanoma to distinguish it from other types of skin cancer. The paper also discusses the statistics to establish prevalence rate of the disease. Since melanoma affects the skin, the paper analyses both gross and microscopic structure of the skin structure. UV ray exposure remains the primary cause of…

Words 1552 - Pages 7

Essay on England: Cancer and Hela Cells

Lacks. She had no idea that when she developed cervical cancer in 1951 that she would help to shape the medical field for every generation after her. This paper will focus on how these cells influenced or understanding, and treatment of cancer specifically. My intentions are to focus on the scientific advantage that the world has gained through research using these cells. There is no argument that HeLa changed the medical field forever, and gave birth too many of the modern treatments we use today. Many…

Words 2459 - Pages 10

bianca adamita term paper

Bianca Adamita April 23, 2015 Biology Term Paper Cancer treatment is a considered by most a “trial and error”, if your giving a patient a combination of medication it may not always work. Time can be lost while looking for a combination of medications to beat back the tumor. Now two research teams say they have found a way that can speed up the process of giving and allowing doctors to try more then one treatment at one time. This device in an implantable device, and a special injection device…

Words 1523 - Pages 7

Cancer Research Paper

world. People of all age could get cancer and all races and even different genders. About 7.5 million people die out of cancer each year. It is very important to know about cancer because it affects so many people and also to help prevented it. This paper will discuss what cancer is, the different types of cancer, the risk factors, treatment of cancer, and prevention of cancer. Before people can understand cancer they have to know what exactly cancer is. Cancer known medically as a…

Words 1167 - Pages 5

Medical Marijuana Research Paper

information. One doesn’t have to search very hard to find information supporting the medical use of marijuana. Marijuana has been proven to be beneficial treatment for many conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, nausea from chemotherapy, and glaucoma among others. Yet, despite scientific evidence of marijuana’s therapeutic benefit, it remains on the DEA’s list of Schedule I drugs— meaning it has no medical use whatsoever. Marijuana should not be a Schedule I drug, but rather…

Words 1080 - Pages 5

Cancer Treatment Essay

DISCLAIMER This paper is designed to educate you about cancer prevention by maintaining a healthy immune system. While this paper is free, the exhibits and books offered are sold at cost for convenience with the understanding that the Author and Publisher is only reporting not rendering or advocating any kind of medical opinions. Only a state licensed physician (MD, DO) graduated from an accredited medical school has this authority. The right to author and publish this paper, no matter how often…

Words 9543 - Pages 39