What is intratecal chemotherapy?

Intratecal chemotherapy is a method of administering chemotherapeutic drugs to treat cancer. Thanks to this method, drugs are injected directly into cerebrospinal fluid that exists in tissues that surround the spinal cord and brain. This type of chemotherapy is used for leptomeningeal spread , which is when cancer has spread to the central nervous system. Intratecal chemotherapy will only be effective before the tumors began to grow in the spinal cord or brain. The body cannot fight in itself because it multiplies at an accelerated speed. The disadvantage of chemotherapy is that it also attacks healthy cells of the body. Unlike most chemotherapeutic drugs, intratecal chemotherapeutic drugs are able to penetrate through the blood -brain barrier or the barrier between the central nervous system and the bloodstream. An example of intratehukal chemotherapy is called methotrexate.

This method of chemotherapy can be administered in two different ways: intralumbal injection or via OMMAYa tanks . Intralumbal injections, also called lumbar injections, are served with a needle in the spine. This type of injection can be painful. Carers can use local anesthesia for a dull area before the administration of this injection.

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use of the Ommaya tank requires surgery. The head area will be shaved. After the patient is under anesthesia, the tank will be inserted under the scalp. After this procedure, patients may notice the elevated areas on their heads. Medicines can then be served using a small needle at the top of the Ommaya tank.

The patient's chemotherapy may be administered in cycles. After receiving chemotherapeutic drugs for a certain period of time designated, the patient may have a rest. The purpose of this rest is to let the body develop new, healthy cells.

Every patient's chemotherapy varies. The doctor will determine whether the patient needs intratecal chemotherapy daily, weekly or monthly. Some pacIENTIs can receive a combination of different chemotherapeutic drugs, which can reduce the length of treatment.

administration of intratecal chemotherapy represents several risks for the patient. Unlike oral chemotherapy, this method can lead to drug leakage to other parts of the body. This means that chemotherapy may not target cancer so effectively. The patient could also experience dangerous accumulation of medicines in the spinal cord. If the Ommaya tank is used, it can be blocked or twisted, requires correction of surgery.

Other risks of intratecal chemotherapy are infections in the spinal cord. It can also cause increased sensitivity to light. Patients should carefully discuss the possible risks and side effects of this course of treatment with their doctor.

Not all patients will have the same side effects, but some common side effects are extreme, long -lasting fatigue; ulcers in the mouth or neck; and severe headache pain. Patients may also lose appetite, developXual problems and experience abnormal moods or memory. Chemotherapy can also cause blurred vision and dizziness. Patients may reduce problems with dizziness and balance by lying several hours after treatment. Despite the side effects of chemotherapy, life with untreated cancer may be much worse.