Source: Cancer Resource Room
Types of
Cancer Treatments
The two goals of cancer treatment are
to get rid of cancer cells in the body
and to stop more cancer cells from growing.
There are three main types of cancer
treatment:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
These treatments may be used alone or in
combination.
Cancer Surgery
During surgery, a cluster of cancer cells
(a tumor) is removed from the body.
If removing the whole tumor will
damage one of the body’s vital
organs, the surgeon will remove
as much of the tumor as possible.
If surgery is done first, other
cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
or radiation, may then be used to
kill any cancer cells that could
be left.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radioactive
beams or particles to kill cancer
cells. It also keeps the cancer
cells from growing and dividing.
The radiation can come from beams
outside the body (external) or from
radioactive implants placed inside
the body (internal). One of the
newer types of external cancer radiation
therapy is called proton beam therapy.
To learn more about proton
beam cancer therapy >>>
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy medicines are used to destroy
cancer cells and take away their ability
to reproduce. Chemotherapy is known as
a “systemic treatment” because
the medicines are carried to all parts
of the body through the bloodstream. There
are many kinds of chemotherapy drugs,
and they are usually given by vein (IV).
Chemotherapy drugs can be combined or
given one after the other to make sure
all cancer cells are destroyed.
Individual Treatment Plans
When developing a cancer treatment plan,
you and your healthcare team will
first need to have an accurate diagnosis.
A variety of tests will be needed,
and the results will be reviewed
by a team of cancer specialists.
The following information is what
the treatment team needs to know
to make an accurate cancer diagnosis
and a treatment plan.
- Where the cancer started (primary
site)
- Where the cancer is located in the
body
- What types of cancer cells are present
- How the cancer cells are likely to
spread
- How advanced the cancer is
- Your overall health
Once these questions are answered, a treatment
plan is developed. Treatment for cancer
may involve one, two or all three of
the major approaches. The plan is based
on each individual’s needs. The
cancer treatment plan includes:
- The type of cancer treatment to
be given.
- If more than one treatment is planned,
the order in which they will be given.
- The length of the cancer treatment.
- Where treatment will take place -
in the hospital, as an outpatient
or at home.
Cancer treatment may involve both inpatient
and outpatient care.
What's New
To Search Pub Med, please see below.
Bone Marrow Transplant
Consumer
and selected health professional journals
Chemotherapy
Consumer
and selected health professional journals
Clinical Trials
Consumer
and selected health professional journals
Hormone, Biological and Immunotherapies
Consumer
and selected health professional journals
Proton Beam
Selected
health professional journals
Radiation Therapy
Consumer
and selected health professional journals
Surgery
Consumer
journals
Support
& Education Programs
We know that being diagnosed with cancer can be stressful for you and your
family. We offer a variety of cancer support services to help patients and
families gain the support and information they will need to meet the challenges
ahead.
To find the next educational workshop
on Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
along with other programs, please go to
this month's offerings in the HOPES
calendar.
Cancer Services at Massachusetts General
Hospital
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