MEDICAL ONCOLOGY

Medical oncology is the medical unit that provides services for the treatment processes and follow-up plans of patients diagnosed with cancer. In our medical oncology units, cooperation is made within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach with the specialist healthcare staff from radiology, radiation oncology, pathology, the surgical unit, nuclear medicine and internal medicine units. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments are administered to our patients in our hospitals under the supervision of specialist physicians. While algologists support patients for pain treatment, psychologists and nutritionists actively participate in the treatment process. Chemotherapy applications are carried out in our inpatient services when necessary, as well as in the outpatient treatment unit. In our medical oncology departments, screenings are also carried out for people at risk of cancer and detailed information is provided on cancer prevention.

Common applications in diagnosis and treatment processes in our medical oncology departments are as follows:

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a chemical treatment used to kill fast-growing cancer cells in the body. Since cancer cells multiply much faster than other cells in the body, chemotherapy is used for the treatment of cancer diseases. Chemotherapy drugs contain many chemicals, and there are many drugs produced for different types of cancer. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, different chemotherapy drugs can be used together. Although it is the most effective method that scientists have found for treating cancer, the side effects of chemotherapy are quite severe for the human body. Side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite are the mildest. Serious side effects can be listed as hair loss, mouth sores, easy bruising, fever and similar diseases. If the treatment continues for many years, damage to the lung tissue, heart problems, infertility, kidney problems and another cancer risk may occur. If the treatment is effective and the cancer regresses, the drug doses can be reduced and the side effects will gradually disappear.

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is one type of cancer treatment, but it is not as common as chemotherapy and other surgical treatments. Unlike chemotherapy, it aims to increase the body’s defense against cancer with biological support instead of using chemical drugs. In order to strengthen the immune system, drugs developed in the laboratory are used. Medicines aid in the prevention of cancer cell growth by supporting the immune system and in the treatment of cancer by preventing cancerous cells from spreading to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy sometimes acts on beneficial cells rather than cancer cells. In such cases, side effects from treatment occur. Although biological drugs are used in the treatment, the side effects can be as severe as those of chemotherapy. Although the most obvious side effects are pain, fever, redness, itching and swelling, other side effects such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, the risk of infection, organ inflammation, and low or high blood pressure can also be seen. Although rare, some types of immunotherapy treatment can cause serious or even fatal allergic reactions.

Pain Management (Algology)
Algology treatments are used to support the treatment of cancer patients, regardless of whether the pain is chronic or the cause cannot be found. Although the most common treatment is medication, physical therapy or even acupuncture may be acceptable. In chronic pain, all types of treatment can be used concurrently. Medication is used to treat inflammatory pain and muscle pain. Creams, lotions and sprays applied to the aching area are also effective treatment methods. In cases of severe pain, the doctor may recommend drugs such as muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, diazepam and antidepressants. The number of drugs used to treat common joint pain is limited. For this reason, arthralgia due to cancer is one of the most difficult types of pain to treat. However, an epidural can be used with the advice of a doctor for low back pain or spinal stenosis pain. Cancer can be excruciatingly painful. In such cases, even morphine is used instead of simple painkillers.

Symptomatic Treatment
The aim of symptomatic treatment is to eliminate the signs and symptoms of the disease without completely treating it. Although the primary goal of this treatment is to provide comfort to the patient, it also prevents the findings from leading to other diseases. Because cancer has so many side effects, the number of symptoms that occur is quite high. Symptomatic treatment can be applied so that the patient can better cope with the symptoms resulting from cancer treatment. Since there is no direct treatment for diseases such as bird flu and swine flu, symptomatic treatment is generally applied in the treatment of such diseases. Pain in the body can occur as a result of an illness. However, it is aimed at treating the symptom caused by the disease, not the disease itself, by using painkillers. In addition, using anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate inflammations that cause joint pain and using cough medications or syrups for the treatment of the cough that occurs when flu or colds are present can be given as examples of symptomatic treatment. Again, the application of antihistamines in allergy diseases is an example of this. It is also possible to use more than one drug to relieve symptoms. However, symptomatic treatment is often not a complete solution. Since the cause of the disease cannot be determined, it may occur as a result of delayed treatment of the main disease.

Nutrition and Diet
Cancer cells multiply uncontrollably and rapidly in the body. One of the most important causes of cancer is nutrition. Cancer risk is increased by an unhealthy diet, excessive consumption of unhealthy fats and inactivity. For these reasons, a regular and healthy diet and an active life are the prerequisites for a healthy life. Sweeteners and unhealthy sugars used today cause cancer cells to be fed. The spread of cancer cells, which are already proliferating uncontrollably and rapidly, is thus accelerated. Nutrition and diet are also very important after the emergence of cancer. The majority of cancer treatments cause appetite loss. For this reason, the patient begins to be malnourished and the already weak immune system becomes even weaker. While cancer treatment continues, it is necessary to have an adequate, healthy and balanced diet in order to strengthen the body’s immunity and make cancer treatment more effective.

Psychological Treatment and Support
Cancer makes the human body very physically weak. Serious side effects such as hair loss and skin bruising negatively affect the patient’s psychology. Cancer patients may have to cope with emotions such as fear, anxiety, panic, helplessness and depression. On the other hand, studies have revealed that psychological disorders directly affect the human immune system. For this reason, the patient may need psychological support while the cancer treatment continues. The patient should not be alone during the cancer treatment, be constantly supported by his family and friends, and receive professional support from specialist psychologists. Oncology patients can receive special support from the psycho-oncology department, which works on the psychology of cancer patients. In some cases, it is important that the relatives of the patients also benefit from this support. Thus, cancer treatment becomes more effective, and the patient has a more comfortable treatment process.
If you have any health problems that fall within the area of expertise of our medical oncology departments, you can request an appointment from the relevant department for your routine controls and treatment procedures. You can get treatment early on and prevent more serious complications that you may encounter in the future by having regular check-ups regarding your disease and showing the necessary sensitivity to the treatment plan recommended by your physician.