How does surgery work in treating cancer?
Surgery involves physically removing cancer from the body. It is most effective for solid tumors that are localized and have not spread. Surgeons aim to remove the entire tumor, along with some surrounding healthy tissue to ensure no cancer cells remain.
What is the role of radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It damages the DNA of cancer cells, which hinders their ability to multiply and grow. Radiation can be delivered externally through machines or internally via radioactive substances placed near cancer cells.
How does chemotherapy help in cancer treatment?
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. These drugs can be taken orally or injected into the bloodstream. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments to target cancer cells throughout the body.
What is targeted therapy?
Targeted therapy focuses on specific molecules involved in cancer growth and spread. These therapies are designed to interfere with the molecular targets, such as proteins or genes, that are essential for cancer cell survival and proliferation. This treatment tends to have fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
How does immunotherapy work?
Immunotherapy boosts the body's immune system to fight cancer. It can include approaches like checkpoint inhibitors, which help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, and CAR T-cell therapy, which modifies a patient's own T-cells to better target cancer.
What is hormone therapy?
Hormone therapy is used for cancers that are hormone-sensitive, such as certain types of breast and prostate cancers. This treatment works by blocking the body's natural hormones that fuel cancer growth or by lowering the levels of these hormones in the body.
What is a stem cell transplant?
Stem cell transplants involve replacing damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This treatment is often used in conjunction with high doses of chemotherapy or radiation to treat certain types of leukemia or lymphoma. The new stem cells help regenerate healthy bone marrow, enabling the body to produce healthy blood cells.
Can combinations of treatments be used?
Yes, it is common to use a combination of treatments to effectively target cancer. For example, a patient might undergo surgery to remove a tumor, followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Combining treatments can enhance overall effectiveness and reduce the risk of recurrence.
What factors influence the choice of treatment?
The choice of
cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the patient's overall health, and the potential side effects of the treatment. Personalized treatment plans are often developed to address the specific needs of each patient.
What are the possible side effects of cancer treatments?
Cancer treatments can have various
side effects. Surgery may involve pain and risk of infection. Radiation therapy can cause skin irritation and fatigue. Chemotherapy often leads to nausea, hair loss, and increased infection risk. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies may cause fewer side effects, but can still result in issues like fatigue, skin reactions, and flu-like symptoms.
Are there emerging treatments in cancer therapy?
Emerging treatments include
precision medicine, which tailors treatments based on genetic understanding of a patient's cancer, and advancements in immunotherapy that offer new ways to harness the immune system. Research is continually advancing, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce side effects.
