When it comes to treating cancer, the options are as varied as the cancer itself. The type of cancer, stage, and patient preferences all influence treatment decisions. Together, the patient and doctor can determine which method is right for their condition. Some common cancer treatments are radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to destroy cancer cells. The radiation can come from an outside machine or from inside the body, known as brachytherapy.
Surgery
Surgical resection of the tumor is a common type of cancer treatment. The goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor or as much of it as possible. While some tumors are easily resected, others are in difficult-to-reach areas, so the surgeon may have to remove an entire organ or surrounding structures. The surgeon will also remove some normal tissue, called a surgical margin, to improve the chance of a successful procedure.
The surgeon may also remove lymph nodes near the tumor. During this surgery, the lymph nodes will be examined to determine whether they contain cancer cells. If they are positive, these lymph nodes may form new tumours or spread to other areas of the body. This type of surgery is the most common type of cancer surgery and is the most common option for removing tumors. Surgery for cancer treatment can also be a very effective way to treat cancer.
Radiation therapy
After you have been diagnosed with cancer, you will be given a plan for radiation treatment. This plan will include the amount of radiation you will receive, the region that you will be treated, and what normal tissue will be spared. You will be in a very cool room during your treatment. A radiation therapist will use a special chair to deliver the beams of radiation. You will be required to remain still throughout the treatment. Depending on the type of cancer, you will be given daily treatments for anywhere from one to five weeks.
IGRT, or image-guided radiation therapy, is an advanced form of radiation therapy. The technique combines images captured during the treatment with a computer model of the patient’s body. This method increases the accuracy of treatment approaches while sparing normal tissue and other body parts. This technology is used in conjunction with EBRT, 3D-CRT, and IMRT. The radiation delivered to the tumor can be directed in many directions. This technique is effective in reducing the number of side effects of radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Cancer patients can receive several types of chemotherapy treatments. Intracavitary chemotherapy is administered directly into a vein, while intraperitoneal chemotherapy involves administering heated drugs to the abdomen after surgery. Intrathecal chemotherapy, on the other hand, involves administering drugs into the area between the brain and spinal cord. Both chemotherapy methods use a thin tube attached to a vein, known as a port. The drugs can then travel directly to the cancer cells in the tumour. The delivery method depends on the type of cancer and the treatment goals.
Chemotherapy has many benefits. It kills cancer cells, with the best outcome being that the cancer never returns. It can also slow tumor growth and decrease the size of cancer tumors. This is particularly helpful if a tumor is pressured or painful. However, it must be understood that chemotherapy does not eliminate the tumor completely. Patients can experience either partial or complete remission after treatment, or they can develop a new tumor.
Hormone therapy
What is hormone therapy and how does it work? Hormones are chemicals produced by our bodies and carried through our bloodstream. They affect cells and organs in many ways, including controlling growth and reproduction, mood, and energy conversion. Many of these hormones also play roles in fighting cancer. They are produced by various glands, including the adrenal gland and the thyroid. All of these hormones are part of the endocrine system, which regulates many aspects of our body.
Certain cancers are fueled by hormones, making them an important part of the treatment. Prostate cancer, for example, relies on androgen, which helps the cancer grow faster. While the hormones themselves are not the cause of cancer, other factors, such as genetics, can play a part in the treatment process. In cancer treatment, a patient’s doctor will use hormone therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Immunotherapy
Although the concept of immunotherapy for cancer treatment is not new, it has only recently been used for the first time as a primary cancer treatment. There have been several positive results from immunotherapy, including a longer survival time than before, and even a cure for some patients. Researchers are currently assessing the long-term side effects and determining the best time to discontinue immunotherapy. Cancer is an incredibly complex group of diseases, so the best treatment for each patient requires collaboration between a team of doctors.
The technique works by genetically engineering the patient’s immune system to attack cancer cells. In CAR T cell therapy, the immune cells of the patient are modified in a lab and then reintroduced into the body. Enhanced T-cells then attack and kill the cancer cells. During this process, the patient also receives therapeutic cancer vaccines. Among these types of cancer immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy is the most common.
