Assoc. Prof. Selin Aktürk Esen

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment with drugs that target rapidly proliferating cells. Depending on the type of cancer, it can be applied before surgery, after surgery or alone.

The aim of preoperative treatment is to shrink the tumor and make surgery easier. Treatment given after surgery targets any cells that may have been left behind. In common disease, the aim is to keep the disease under control and reduce the complaints.

Before planning, blood tests, heart and kidney functions are evaluated. Other medications used are reviewed. The treatment is applied in cures and the body is waited to recover in between.

Rather than targeting tumor cells directly, immunotherapy aims to enable the immune system to recognize these cells.

It is not suitable for every patient and every type of cancer. Suitability is determined by evaluating the type of cancer, its stage, certain markers examined in the tumor tissue and the patient's immune status together.

Side effects are different from classical chemotherapy. Skin, intestines, liver, lungs and hormone glands may be affected due to overactivation of the immune system. For this reason, regular monitoring is carried out during treatment and new complaints should be reported immediately.

Response to cancer treatment is monitored with periodic evaluations. This evaluation is not just about viewing. It is also based on the patient's complaints, examination findings and blood tests.

Imaging is usually repeated after several cycles and compared to the previous examination. It is important for the reliability of the comparison that measurements are made with the same method.

If there is a response, treatment is continued. If there is no adequate response or side effects make treatment difficult, the plan is reviewed. With some treatments, temporary growth may be observed at the first evaluation. Therefore, the decision is made with the clinical picture, not with a single imaging.