Where to turn if chemotherapy is unavoidable

Chemotherapy is one of the main stages of cancer treatment. Its purpose is to destroy malignant tumors with the help of special cytostatic preparations. Once in the blood, they block cancer cells.

Who is indicated for chemotherapy

Treatment with chemotherapy drugs is prescribed:

• as an additional method for various types of cancer for the prevention of metastases;
• for leukemia as the main treatment method;
• to reduce the size of the tumor and prevent its further growth before surgery;
• after surgery, for the final destruction of possibly remaining pathological cells;
• to delay the growth of inoperable tumors in order to prolong the patient's life;
• before a bone marrow transplant.

Drugs are selected taking into account the type and degree of cancer, sensitivity to a particular cytostatic agent, and general condition.

How do chemotherapy drugs work?

Modern chemotherapy drugs are grouped into groups that differ in their different mechanism of action on the tumor. Most of them act at the genetic level, damaging the DNA chain. When they are used, a kind of recoding of the cellular program occurs, and as a result, a process occurs that prevents the development and reproduction of cells.

There are also drugs that act on cell membranes, enzymes, and blood vessels. Therefore, in most cases, several drugs are prescribed at once, so as not to leave cancer cells the slightest chance of further development.

Every year, new, more advanced drugs appear, allowing us to achieve good results. Foreign oncologists have achieved particularly great success.

Thanks to the development of medical tourism, today anyone has the opportunity to choose a country for treatment and undergo chemotherapy with modern cytostatics in the most comfortable conditions.

Which country to choose

Cancer treatment, including undergoing chemotherapy, is quite expensive abroad. But it has a number of advantages.

Most often, patients choose:

• Switzerland and Germany. Clinics such as Nordwest, General Beaulieu, and Asclepios Barmbek are among the world's best medical centers. The most modern therapeutic methods are offered here. Compared to the USA, a stay in a German clinic will cost 2-3 times cheaper. In Switzerland, the cost of chemotherapy will be higher.
• South Korea. By geographical location, the country is most convenient for residents of the Far Eastern part of Russia. About 20 years ago, healthcare was reorganized in Korea, and today the level of training of Korean doctors is not inferior to the United States. The Samsung Center is the most famous among the oncology treatment clinics.
• Israel. All the methods used in the world for the treatment of oncological diseases are available here. Oncologists use about 100 types of chemotherapy drugs in their work. Among the leading clinics in the country are the Assuta Private Medical Center and the Assuta Hospital. Suraski.

Patients should not be afraid of chemotherapy. Modern cytostatics have minimal side effects and are not life-threatening.