Oncology in Mexico City

Oncology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating people with cancer is called an oncologist.

An oncologist can design a treatment plan based on detailed pathology reports that shows the type of cancer the patient has, how much cancer has developed, how fast the cancer is likely to spread, and what parts of the patient's body are involved.

The field of oncology has three main areas, which include:

• Medical oncologists use chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, and other types of targeted treatments to treat cancer. Most people think of medical oncologist as their primary cancer doctor. Medical oncologists help monitor and maintain patients' well-being, as well as helping patients manage side effects. Often patients follow up with their medical oncologist once their treatment is complete.
• Surgical oncologists perform the surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue. They will help patients prepare for and recover from any surgical procedure they undergo during their cancer treatment. If your primary doctor suspects that you have cancer, a surgical oncologist is likely one of the first doctors you see. Surgical oncologists can perform biopsies, which involves removing a small tissue sample to be checked for cancer cells.
• Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiation therapy. They use high-energy photon beams to target and destroy cancer cells. Approximately one-half of all cancer patients will undergo radiation treatment during their cancer care.

Because most cancers are treated with a combination of therapies, you could see two or all three different oncologists during the course of your treatment.

Besides the three main areas, there are also several other areas of oncology. These include:

• Pediatric oncologists diagnose and treat cancer in children. Some types of cancer appear more often in children and teenagers, such as leukemia, brain tumors, osteosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. Some pediatric oncologists focus on conducting research on childhood cancers, while others specialize in certain types of cancer.
• Gynecologic oncologists treat cancers that affect women, such as cancer of the ovary, cervix, uterus, vagina, and vulva. Additionally, they also treat complicated gynecological conditions that are not cancerous, such as fibroid tumors and endometriosis.
• Hematologist-oncologists diagnoses and treats blood cancers, such as lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. They may also specialize in the management of solid tumors.

Oncologists usually work with a variety of other medical professionals, including pathologists, diagnostic radiologists, oncology nurses, and oncology social workers. They may also work with doctors from other areas of medicine, such as neurologists, dermatologists, or urologists.

What does Oncology Involve?

There are many types of procedures to treat cancer. The types of procedures that you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Some people who have cancer will only have one treatment. However, most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Below are the types of procedures to treat cancer:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells in the body and prevent them from growing. The drugs can prevent cell division, target the food source of the cancer cells’ (the hormones and enzymes the cells need to grow), and trigger apoptosis (a process in which cancer cells kill themselves).

• Chemotherapy drugs can be given in several different ways, including.
• Oral – taken in a pill or capsule form.
• Intravenously – through an infusion into a vein.
• Shots – injected with a needle.
• Topical – applying creams or gels into the skin. This type is used to treat certain types of skin cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs can also be given directly to cancer or directly to an area of the body, such as the abdomen or central nervous system.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, or biologic therapy, boosts your body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. It uses substances made by your own body, or in a laboratory, to improve or restore your immune system function. It can stop cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, stop or slow the growth of cancer cells, and help your immune system work better at destroying cancer cells.

There are several types of immunotherapy to treat cancer, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell transfer therapy, monoclonal antibodies, treatment vaccines, and immune system modulators. Different types of immunotherapy may be given in different ways, such as intravenous (IV), oral, intravesical (directly into the bladder), or topical.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that are designed to specifically “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells. It targets the cancer’s specific proteins, genes, or other tissue environment contributing to cancer survival and growth. These proteins and genes are found in cancer cells or in cells related to cancer growth.

The targeted drugs can block or turn off chemical signals that tell cancer cells when to divide and grow, stop making new blood vessels that feed cancer cells, change proteins within the cancer cells so the cells die, trigger the immune system to kill cancer cells, and carry toxins in the cancer cells to kill them.

• There are two types of targeted therapy:
• Small-molecule drugs, which is given through pills or capsules that you swallow
• Monoclonal antibodies, which are given through a needle in a blood vein.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses intense energy beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It most often uses X-rays, but other types of energy, such as protons may also be used.

Radiation therapy can be done in two ways:

• External-beam radiation therapy – this type of radiation therapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body. You will lie on a table, and the machine (called a linear accelerator) moves around you to deliver radiation from several different angles. It is a quick and painless procedure.
• Internal radiation therapy – also called brachytherapy, involves both temporary and permanent placement of radioactive sources in the body. During the placement of the radioactive sources, you will be given anesthesia.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy stops or slows the growth of cancer that uses hormones to grow. It works by blocking your body’s ability to produce hormones or interfere with how hormones behave in your body. It can reduce the chance that cancer will return by stopping or slowing its growth, as well as preventing or reducing symptoms in men with prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy is usually used to treat breast and prostate cancer. It can be taken in many ways, including orally, through an injection, and surgery.

Stem Cell Transplant

People whose blood-forming stem cells are damaged by the very high doses of radiation therapy or chemotherapy can undergo stem cell transplant to restore the cells. Blood-forming stem cells are vital since they grow into different types of blood cells that you need to be healthy. The stem cells will be given to you through an IV catheter. The process is very much like receiving a blood transfusion.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment for cancer is a procedure to remove cancer from your body. There are many types of surgeries to treat cancer, which differ based on the part of the body that requires surgery, the purpose of the surgery, the amount of tissue to be removed, and your preference. In general, the surgery can be open or minimally invasive.

• During open surgery, one large incision is made to remove the tumor, some healthy tissue, and some nearby lymph nodes.
• During minimally invasive surgery, a few tiny incisions are made instead of a large one. These incisions are made to insert a laparoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera on its end) and special surgical tools. The laparoscope allows your surgeon to see the inside of the body, and the surgical tools are used to remove the tumor and some healthy tissue.

How Long Should I Stay in Mexico City?

For chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, the treatment schedule may vary. You may have treatment every day, week, or month. It may also be given in a cycle, which is a period of treatment followed by a period of rest to give your body a chance to recover. For surgical treatment, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days, and you need to stay in Mexico City for at least 10 to 14 days. Your oncologist and/or medical tourism team will advise you on the length of stay in Mexico City.

What's the Recovery Time?

The type of procedure you undergo determines the recovery period. While you may be able to get back to your normal routine within 10 days after laparoscopic surgery, you may need to wait around 6 weeks to fully recover from open surgery. Your oncologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline.

What About Aftercare?

You will be given instructions on how to take care of yourself. Your surgeon or nurse will explain how to control your pain, how to take care of your wound, activities you can and cannot do, and how to spot signs of infections. You may also need to talk to a dietitian to help with eating problems caused by the treatment. You will need to attend follow-up checkups to monitor your condition.

What's the Success Rate?

Cancer survival has improved significantly due to constant advancement and improvements in the field of oncology, including improvement in treatments and screening (allowing for earlier diagnosis). Still, you need to be aware of the risks, such as infection, bleeding, nerve damage, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.

Are there Alternatives to Oncology?

There is no other alternative than to see an oncologist when it comes to cancer treatments. Some people may choose to undergo meditation, hypnosis, and acupuncture as well, usually to relieve the stress, anxiety, and pain that cancer can bring.

Oncology in and around Mexico City

About Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and is the largest and populated city with a population of around 9 million, whereas the greater metropolitan area has around 21.2 million.

Mexico City is not only the political, administrative, and financial center of Mexico but also a major center for medical tourism within the country. It is a popular destination for affordable and quality medical care for many US and Canadian citizens and recently has started to attract Europeans and some Asian medical.

The City offers health care facilities and procedures at international standards and at a fraction of the cost when compared to the US and other countries. According to the Ministry of Health in Mexico, the competitive cost of medical care in the country allows an average saving of about 50% to 70% in various treatments and surgical procedures, and with the added benefit of small waiting times.

Mexico City offers state-of-the-art medical care in Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, Orthopaedic, fertility treatments, and dental procedures. It has many famous hospitals with well-trained and board-certified doctors, and advanced medical equipment. Medica Sur, Hospital Espagnol, and Hospital Angeles, Dentalia Mexico City, and Ortopedia DF are some renowned hospitals and clinics in Mexico City. They have private rooms with all modern facilities and offer high standards of nursing care and the hospital staff all speak good English, which makes communication very easy.

Popular Areas in Mexico City

The City is located in the valley of Mexico and is surrounded by Mountains and two stunning snow-covered volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl tower above it. Though the city is very large, most of the popular attractions are in the historic city center, ‘Centro Historico de la Ciudad’. This is a 5.8 square mile UNESCO World Heritage site that has more than 14,000 important structures from the 16th to 19th Century.

Some important landmarks to visit in Mexico City are –

• Zocalo – The Constitution Square is right at the heart of the city. It measures around 240 meters in each direction and is the largest square in the world. The three major tourist attractions, the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor dominate this area.
• The National Palace –is the official seat of power of the President and is situated on the east side of the Zocalo, The combination of history, beautiful architecture, and the best Diego Rivera murals in Mexico City make it a must-visit destination.
• Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral – Made out of basalt and grey sandstone, this structure rests on top of the old Aztec temple precinct. It is one of the oldest and largest churches in the western hemisphere. Its prominent features are the bell towers and the statues of Faith, Hope, and Charity on the Clock Tower.
• Templo Mayor – It comprises the remains of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan (of the Aztec period). It includes the finely sculpted circular disc which is more than three meters in diameter and weighs eight-and-a-half tons.
• The National Museum of Anthropology – One of the famous museums in the world and is in Chapultepec Park. It is very prominent due to the large monolithic figure at its entrance. It has a vast and impressive collection of archaeological discoveries and information about the life of the contemporary Indian inhabitants of Mexico.

The Palace of Fine Arts, Chapultepec Park, National History Museum, and Paseo de la Reforma and the Angel of Independence are other important landmarks of the city.

Weather and Climate in Mexico City

Mexico City has a subtropical climate because of its location in the high plateaus. It experiences mild and pleasant weather throughout the year. Summers are warm and winters are mild. The annual average temperature is 64°F. The temperature does not vary much throughout the year but the warmest month is May and the coldest is January. The average maximum temperature in summer is 77°F and the average winter temperature is 45°F.

The average annual rainfall of Mexico City is high at 33.31 inches (846.0 mm). June to September is the rainy season, with July being the wettest month. During the summer, there can be a few spells of rain.

The City has dry periods from January to April and November to December. February is the driest month of the year.

Getting Around in Mexico City

You can reach Mexico City by flying into Mexico International Airport which is known as Benito Juarez International Airport. It is the busiest airport in Mexico and serves many airlines. The major Mexican airlines Aeromexico and Aeromexico Connect operate flights to many Latin American cities and domestic and international destinations from this airport. Many American Carriers also have direct flights to Mexico City. Domestic carriers like Interjet and Volaris also operate out of the airport, connecting Mexico City to other domestic cities. The other airport in the city, Licenciado Adolfo Lopez Mateos International Airport (TLC) services low-cost domestic airlines.

There are many bus operators that offer bus service from US cities to Mexico City. The City also offers a well-planned transportation system to get around in which is the metro system, the downtown rail, light rail, normal buses, BRT (bus rapid transport), minibusses, and trolleybuses. Public transportation is very cost-effective and efficient, but can also be very crowded.

If you don’t want to travel by public transport, then you can choose Uber and other private taxi services. They are a bit more expensive but are stress-free.   

Tourist Visas in Mexico City

Foreign Nationals wanting to enter Mexico must get a visa in advance unless they belong to any of the 67 eligible visa-exempt countries like the United States, UK, Canada, and Australia, or one of the three Electronic Authorization System eligible countries. Mexico also offers visa exemption to the people of any nationality who have a valid visa from the US, UK, Canada. They can travel to Mexico with their valid passports and can stay for up to 180 days.

However, citizens of countries like India, Russia, China, Sri Lanka, and many other countries need to apply and get a visa in advance to travel to Mexico for tourism.

Additional Information

• The currency used in Mexico City is the national currency of Mexico, the Mexican Peso (MXN). You can exchange your national currency for Pesos at any of the banks, or at Foreign Exchange Bureaus. The currency value of one US dollar is 18.84 MXN. You can also use your debit, credit, and travel cards in the city.
• Mexico City has all the major national and international banks. In such a large city, there are no shortages of ATMs.
• Spanish is the language widely spoken in Mexico City. Nahuatl, Otomi, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Mazahuaare are other commonly spoken indigenous languages. Due to the large expat population, English is also popular in the city.
• The family community is an important aspect of Mexican life. The locals are very conscious of their responsibilities towards their family members.
• Catholic Christianity or Roman Catholicism is the major religion in Mexico City. 83% of the population follow this religion.
• You will find the City celebrating Mexican holidays, both historic and religious throughout the year. Some of the important holidays are the –
  • Constitution Day – First Monday of February
  • Benito Juarez Day – Third Monday in March
  • Independence Day – September 16
  • Revolution Day – Third Monday in November
  • Navidad (Christmas) – December 25