Medical Oncology

Defne Hospital

Medical Oncology

Medical oncology is the medical discipline that plans treatment and follow-up for patients, who are diagnosed with cancer. Our medical oncology units, where specialized healthcare professionals work, work in coordination with radiology, radiation oncology, pathology, surgical unit, nuclear medicine and other medical departments in a multidisciplinary approach. Our patients are started on chemotherapy and immunotherapy under supervision of our physicians in our hospitals. Algologists provide patients with support for management of pain, while psychologists and dietitians play an active role in treatment process. Chemotherapeutic agents can be administered not only at outpatient treatment unit, but also in inpatient wards, when necessary.

Screening tests are also available in our medical oncology departments for people, who are at risk for cancer, and such people are informed in detail about cancer prevention. Following procedures are commonly used in diagnosis and treatment process at our medical oncology departments:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a chemical treatment modality used to kill quickly growing cells in body. Since cancer cells divide far quicker than other body cells, chemotherapy is used to treat cancer diseases. Chemotherapeutic agents contain many chemical substances and there are numerous medications that are produced for different types of cancers. Various chemotherapeutic agents can be used in combination depending on type and stage of cancer. Although it is the most effect method invented by scientists for treatment of cancer, side effects of chemotherapy are quite severe for human body. Mildest side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and lack of appetite. Severe side effects include hair loss, mouth sores, bruising, fever and similar symptoms. If treatment is maintained for many years, lung tissue can be damaged along with heart problems, infertility, renal problems and risk of another cancer. Doses can be reduced after treatment fights cancer effectively and cancer regresses; in this case, side effects disappear gradually.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a one of treatments used in cancer, but it is not used as commonly as chemotherapy and other surgical treatments. Contrary to chemotherapy that uses chemical agents, it aims to boost defense of body with biological support against cancer. Medications that are developed at laboratory settings are used to strengthen the immune system. Medications help prevent growth of cancer cells by supporting the immune system and thus, progression of cancer is stopped, as spread of cancer cells to other body parts is prevented. Immunotherapy may, sometimes, affect healthy cells rather than cancer cells. In this case, side effects emerge. Although biological medications are used, side effects can be as severe as chemotherapy. Most remarkable side effects are pain, fever, rashes, itching and swelling, but others include shortness of breath, palpitation, risk of infection, organ inflammation, hypotension and hypertension. Some immunotherapy drugs can even lead to fatal allergic reactions, albeit rarely.

Pain Management (Algology)

Algology treatments are used to support treatment of cancer patients without differentiating between chronic pains or types of pain with no underlying reason. While the most common treatment method is medical therapy, physiotherapy and even acupuncture are accepted within this field. All treatments are used in combination to manage chronic pains. Medication treatment is preferred for inflammation-related pains and muscle pains. Creams, lotions and sprays applied to area with pain are also effective treatment methods. Physicians may recommend medications such as muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, diazepam and antidepressant agents in case of severe pain. Number of medicines that can be used for diffuse joint pains are limited. Therefore, joint pain secondary to cancer is one of the pain types that are most difficult to treat. However, epidural can be used with recommendation of the physician for lumbar pains or pain secondary to spinal stenosis. Pain in cancer cases may be critically severe. Even morphine can be used in such cases instead of simple painkillers.

Symptomatic Treatment

Purpose of the symptomatic treatment is to eliminate signs and symptoms of the disease without completely curing the disease. While the actual goal of this treatment is to provide patient with comfort it is also used to prevent symptoms from causing other diseases. There are many symptoms of cancer as it has various side effects. Symptomatic treatment can be performed to allow patient to combat symptoms secondary to cancer treatment more effectively. Symptomatic treatment is generally preferred for treatment of diseases such as avian flu, swine flu as these diseases do not have a direct treatment. Pain may develop in body as a result of a disease. However, purpose of using pain killers is to treat the developing symptom not the disease itself. Moreover, using anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent inflammation that cause joint pains, cough medication or syrups which are used to treat cough appearing in case of flu or common cold can be accepted as examples for symptomatic treatment. Use of anti-histaminic agents in allergies is another example. Using multiple drugs to treat symptoms is also possible. However, symptomatic treatment is not a final solution in most cases. If the underlying cause of the disease cannot be identified, treatment of the actual disease may be delayed.

Nutrition and Diet

Purpose of the symptomatic treatment is to eliminate signs and symptoms of the disease without completely curing the disease. While the actual goal of this treatment is to provide patient with comfort it is also used to prevent symptoms from causing other diseases. There are many symptoms of cancer as it has various side effects. Symptomatic treatment can be performed to allow patient to combat symptoms secondary to cancer treatment more effectively. Symptomatic treatment is generally preferred for treatment of diseases such as avian flu, swine flu as these diseases do not have a direct treatment. Pain may develop in body as a result of a disease. However, purpose of using pain killers is to treat the developing symptom not the disease itself. Moreover, using anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent inflammation that cause joint pains, cough medication or syrups which are used to treat cough appearing in case of flu or common cold can be accepted as examples for symptomatic treatment. Use of anti-histaminic agents in allergies is another example. Using multiple drugs to treat symptoms is also possible. However, symptomatic treatment is not a final solution in most cases. If the underlying cause of the disease cannot be identified, treatment of the actual disease may be delayed.

Psychological Treatment and Support

Cancer causes substantial physical weakness in human body. Severe side effects, such as hair loss and bruising, have negative effects on psychology of patient. Cancer patients may need to cope with fear, anxiety, panic, desperation and depressive mood. On the other hand, studies demonstrated that psychological conditions have direct effects on immune system of human. Therefore, psychological support can be required while anti-cancer treatment is maintained. Patients should not left alone, should be supported by family and friends and be provided professional support by psychologists. Psycho-oncology department that is specialized in psychology of cancer patients provides oncology patients with special support. In some cases, it is important to offer such support to families and friends. Thus, cancer treatment becomes more effective and patient experiences a more comfortable treatment.