Intracavitary Chemotherapy
Intracavitary chemotherapy means placing drugs directly into a body cavity (such as the chest).
To avoid putting patients through additional procedures intracavitary chemotherapy is generally done during planned surgery such as for the removal of tumours. The cancerous cells are cut away and then the chemotherapy (for example cisplastin) is applied to any areas that might have any remaining cancerous cells.
When the cancer-fighting drugs have been applied a cytoprotective agent is applied to healthy cells to protect them from any harm that could be caused by the chemotherapy.
As the drug has not been injected in to an artery stronger doses can be administered without increased toxicity.
The effectiveness of the chemotherapy is further enhanced if the drugs are heated (hyperthermia) prior to application to the cancerous area.
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