Answer
Three common/standard types of cancer therapy are radiation , chemotherapy and surgery:
1. Radiation . In this treatment modality powerful X-rays or gamma rays are administered--internally or externally. This kind of treat ment is commonly
used to treat cervical prostate and laryngeal cancers.
Proton beams and neutron beams are also used in cancer radiation therapy.
This treatment modality is often successful in eliminating cancerous cells but it has some disadvantages:
d Mild adverse reactions : nausea, weakness, fatigue and fever. More serious side effects are chromosomal damage and cell cycle disruption.:
2. Chemotherapy;
Chemotherapy usually affects the whole body including all cancer cells
Chemotherapeutic agents cause DNAdamage and inhibits DNA synthesis
Several types of chemical agents are used to treat cancers. The following types are included ;
1. Alkylating agents
action: Block DNA synthesis; e.g. Cisplatin
2. Antimetabolites: e.g. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
--action: block the actions of enzymes needed by cancer cells
3. Anticancer antibodies ; e.g. human CmAbs
Work Step by Step
4. Mitotic inhibitors; e.g., Vinblastine
5. Nitrosoureas : e.g., Streptozocin, and Camustine
action; inhibit the repair of DNA
6. Anticancer antibiotics; e.g., Doxorubicin
