Induction therapy is the initial phase of treatment for a disease or condition. Induction therapy aims to achieve a therapeutic effect more quickly than would be possible with standard therapy. Induction therapy is often used in cancer treatment, where it is given before the start of standard chemotherapy. It may also be used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Types of induction therapy
- Chemo therapy:
This is the most common type of induction therapy. Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells. They can be given intravenously (into a vein) or by mouth.
- Radiation therapy:
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy waves to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be given externally by a machine that directs the energy waves to the body part containing the tumor, or internally by placing radioactive material in or near the tumor.
- Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer cells. The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and chemicals that work together to protect the body from infection and disease. Cancer cells can develop in the body when the normal process of cell growth goes awry. The immune system normally recognizes these abnormal cells and destroys them. However, cancer cells can sometimes evade the immune system and continue to grow.
- Hormone therapy:
Hormone therapy can be used to lower the levels of testosterone in the body, which may help to shrink the size of the prostate cancer tumor. This treatment may also help to slow the growth and spread of prostate cancer. Hormone therapy is typically used in conjunction with other treatment options, such as surgery or radiation therapy.
There are a number of potential side effects associated with hormone therapy, including hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. These side effects can often be managed with medications or lifestyle changes. Some men may also experience an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease with hormone therapy. Hormone therapy is typically not recommended for men who are at high risk for these conditions.
- Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets the changes in cancer cells that help them grow, divide, and spread. Targeted therapies usually work better than traditional chemotherapy drugs because they are more precise.
What types of cancers is induction therapy used for?
1. Leukemia:
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells. It typically begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. The cancerous cells then invade the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body.
2. Lymphoma:
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in infection-fighting cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
3. Multiple myeloma:
Multiple myeloma is cancer that forms in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Plasma cells are part of the immune system.
Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out healthy blood cells and prevent them from doing their jobs. This can lead to anemia, infection, and other serious problems.
4. Solid tumors:
Solid tumors including gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma are some of the most common and lethal malignancies. Despite advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy, the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with solid tumors remains poor, at less than 20%. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutic strategies for solid tumor patients.
What happens after induction therapy?
After induction therapy, people will be closely monitored by their doctor. If the cancer is in remission, people may undergo maintenance or consolidation therapy to help prevent cancer from returning. If cancer does not respond to induction therapy, people may try other treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
What are the side effects of induction therapy?
The side effects of induction therapy depend on the type of therapy used. Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. Radiation therapy can cause side effects such as fatigue and skin irritation. Immunotherapy can cause side effects such as fever and chills. Hormone therapy can cause side effects such as hot flashes and weight gain. Targeted therapy can cause side effects such as fatigue and diarrhea.
Is induction therapy treatment effective? Do doctors ask to treat it?
The effectiveness of induction therapy depends on the type of cancer being treated. In general, induction therapy is most effective for leukemia and lymphoma. It is less effective for solid tumors.
Doctors may recommend induction therapy as a first-line treatment for some types of cancer. For other types of cancer, induction therapy may be used after other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy, have been tried.
Each case is different, and your doctor will make a treatment recommendation based on the type of cancer you have, as well as your overall health and preferences.
Do people get better by taking the treatment of induction therapy?
1. In some cases, people may achieve remission, which means that all of the cancer cells are killed and there is no evidence of disease.
2. In other cases, people may experience partial remission, which means that some of the cancer cells are killed, but there are still some remaining.
3. In some cases, people may not respond to induction therapy and their cancer may continue to grow.
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