Oncological diseases in the modern world are becoming more common. This is due to the peculiarities of the environment, a lot of new viruses, as well as a large number of carcinogens. Every year, scientists introduce new methods to fight cancer. However, the old methods of treatment are still used. One of them is PCT. Deciphering this abbreviation is polychemotherapy. Systemic administration of cytotoxic drugs helps to eliminate the atypical cells that make up the tumor. Although this type of treatment is not easily tolerated by patients, it is one of the most effective methods.
PCT in oncology: deciphering the abbreviation
In the medical records of people suffering from cancer, there is often such a thing as chemotherapy. It is abbreviated as PCT. In oncology, the decoding of this abbreviation is polychemotherapy, which means the combined effect of several cytostatic agents at once. This type of treatment is aimed at the complete elimination of the tumor or its reduction.
In most cases, PCT is combined with other treatments. Among them are surgical removal of a pathological formation and radiation therapy. Sometimes polychemotherapy is an independent method of treatment. The choice of PCT depends on the location and stage of cancer, as well as on the condition of the patient. Only an oncologist can prescribe cytotoxic drugs.
Types of chemotherapy in oncology
When prescribing cytostatic agents, doctors are guided by two concepts. These include: adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It's pretty easy to separate them. So, what is neoadjuvant PCT in oncology? Deciphering may only be required for people who do not understand cancer treatment. The concept of "NPCT" means that a person was prescribed a course of therapy before surgery. That is, the tumor cannot be removed surgically at the moment, but after taking cytostatic agents, the pathological formation should decrease in size.
The opposite concept is adjuvant PCT in oncology. Deciphering the abbreviation is simple. APCT is a preventive cancer treatment after surgery. This means that the tumor itself has been completely removed, but cytostatic therapy is required to prevent recurrence. The listed types of PCT refer to the combined or complex treatment of malignant tumors. That is, in addition to prescribing drugs, the patient undergoes surgery, and sometimes radiation.
A separate type of therapy is an independent (therapeutic) course of PCT in oncology. DecryptionSuch a medical term is not clear to every doctor. Often, only an oncologist can distinguish a treatment course from preventive therapy. Independent PCT is carried out in cases where other methods of recovery are not indicated. For example, with small cell lung cancer or the presence of metastases to distant organs.
Indications for therapy
It is worth noting that each malignant tumor is treated differently. Sometimes only surgery or radiation is enough, in other cases chemotherapy is required. PCT is prescribed only for special medical reasons, when necessary. If such treatment was not offered after the operation by a doctor, then the malignant process was limited to a small area and did not affect the deep layers of the organ. In addition, some types of tumors do not respond to chemotherapy. There are the following indications for PCT in oncology:
- Malignant formations of lymphoid tissue.
- Blood cancer.
- Tumors of the digestive tract.
- Small and large cell lung cancer.
- Neoplasms of the head and neck.
It should be noted that the effectiveness of chemotherapy depends on the histological type of tumor. For example, glandular cancer responds better to cytostatic treatment than squamous cell carcinoma or sarcoma. Often, PCT is not prescribed in the early stages of the disease, if the tumor can be removed surgically. Adjuvant therapy is indicated for patients who have stage 2 or 3 after surgerycancer. If the tumor is large and has grown into neighboring organs, an independent course of PCT is prescribed. Sometimes this type of treatment is used at an advanced stage of cancer, when other methods are powerless.
What is a course of chemotherapy?
Most people know that chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. This means that cytostatic agents are introduced into the body repeatedly, and for a long time - at certain intervals. Such a treatment regimen is necessary because the drugs destroy not only the tumor itself, but also other cells of the body. The introduction of a large dose at a time is impossible, since cytostatics have a cardio-, nephro- and hepatotoxic effect. It takes time for the body to recover from a course of PCT. On average, it takes 2-4 weeks. During this period, blood cells have time to renew themselves, and the patient's general well-being returns to normal.
The number of PCT courses in oncology may vary. It depends on the tolerability of drugs, the patient's condition and the effectiveness of treatment. After 3 courses, an examination is carried out, thanks to which the doctor makes an appropriate conclusion. If the tumor has completely disappeared or partially decreased, chemotherapy is continued. In cases where there is a progression of the malignant process, the PCT regimen is changed. In this case, the countdown of courses starts again.
Preparation and accompanying therapy
Cytotoxic drugs are among the most difficult to tolerate drugs. Despite their effectiveness, theyare equated with poisons and harm the body. Any drug used for chemotherapy has a toxic effect. First of all, cytostatics damage the cells of the liver, heart and kidneys. To weaken their harmful effects, accompanying therapy is required. Before the introduction of the medicinal substance, an intravenous infusion of a hormonal and antiemetic agent is mandatory. The most commonly used drugs for premedication are Dexamethasone, Ondansetron and Sodium Chloride. They help prepare the body for chemotherapy. Thanks to these drugs, the emetogenic and intoxication syndrome is reduced.
Accompanying therapy includes such drugs as the drug "Potassium chloride", "Magnesium sulfate", "Mannitol". They help to avoid complications from the heart, lungs and brain. In some cases, the introduction of antihistamines is required.
Contraindications for prescribing chemotherapy
Despite the fact that chemotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for cancer, it is not always necessary. In some cases, cytostatic agents do more harm than good. PCT is contraindicated in the following cases:
- Old age (from 70 years).
- Intolerance to cytostatic agents.
- Presence of severe pathologies of the heart.
- Renal and liver failure.
- Progression of the disease despite ongoing therapy.
- Presence of multiple metastases.
- Cachexia.
Before prescribing PCT, a set of examinations is carried out. These include: general and biochemical blood tests, ECG, OAM, coagulogram, ultrasound of the heart. When decompensated diseases are detected, treatment with cytostatics is inappropriate.
Possible results of chemotherapy
To control the effectiveness of PCT, a second examination is being carried out. Thanks to this, the result of therapy is evaluated. Favorable outcomes of treatment include: complete and partial regression of the tumor, as well as stabilization. In the first case, the neoplasm disappears or decreases in size by 2 times or more. Stabilization of the process means that the tumor has remained the same. However, this is regarded as a positive result, because without treatment, the cancer progresses rapidly.
If the examination reveals that the malignant growth is growing, or metastases have appeared, the treatment regimen is changed. If the patient's condition is satisfactory, the number of chemotherapy courses is unlimited. However, the constant progression is an indicator that the treatment does not bring results, but only harms the body. This is a contraindication for prescribing PCT.
Drug list
There are several pharmacological groups of cytostatic drugs. The most common medicines include: anticancer antibiotics, herbal medicines, platinum-containing products. Examples are the drugs "Doxorubicin", "Paclitaxel",Docetaxel, Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, etc.
