Cancer treatment depends on the type, location, stage of the cancer, and the overall health of the patient. The primary treatment modalities include:
- Surgery: Often the first line of treatment for many solid tumors, surgery aims to remove the cancerous tissue. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, this may involve removing the tumor alone or the tumor along with surrounding tissues and lymph nodes.
- Radiation Therapy: This involves using high-energy rays to kill or damage cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments. External beam radiation and brachytherapy are common forms of radiation therapy.
- Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Chemotherapy can be administered orally, intravenously, or directly into a body cavity, and it may be used before surgery (neoadjuvant), after surgery (adjuvant), or as the main treatment for cancers that have spread.
- Targeted Therapy: These drugs target specific molecules involved in cancer cell growth and survival. Examples include monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Targeted therapies are often associated with fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines are examples of immunotherapy.
- Hormone Therapy: Used for cancers that are hormone-sensitive, such as breast and prostate cancer. This therapy aims to block the body's natural hormones that are fueling the cancer's growth.
- Stem Cell Transplant: Also known as bone marrow transplant, this procedure is often used for blood-related cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. It involves replacing the damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
