Then, during a surgical procedure, a special light activities the drug. Hyperthermia uses heat to kill tumor cells. Also available are other forms of radiation energy, dosages, and schedules. Side effects of radiation therapy may include hair loss, skin irritation, fatigue and, rarely, increase of pre-existing neurologic deficits. Chemotherapy Certain chemotherapeutic drugs have proven to be effective in controlling the growth of a tumor for shorter or longer periods of time.
Research continues to develop new drugs, new combinations of drugs and new ways of delivering drugs.
Side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs include nausea or vomiting, disruption of the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, occasionally soreness of the mouth or mouth ulcers and skin rash. These side effects are usually reversible and may vary with each individual. This is a form of therapy aimed at activating the patient's own immune system in order to kill tumor cells. This group of substances includes the interferons, interleukins, growth factors and others. These forms of therapy are still experimental and only used in strictly controlled protocols at certain treatment centers.