Whether a person needs Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, surgery, or immunotherapy, there are several different treatment options. Read on to learn more about each one. The type of cancer and its stage of progression determine the type of treatment required. It is also important to understand your doctor’s recommendations for your particular case. In this article, we will review the different types of cancer treatments, and explain how each one works. You will also learn about the latest developments in cancer immunotherapy.
Chemotherapy
After your cancer diagnosis, you will be thrust into a world full of details and information. There are many side effects of chemotherapy, and if you understand the nature of chemotherapy, you can reduce the toxicity of the treatment. Your healthcare provider will give you information on any potential side effects and how to handle them. A good way to manage side effects is to ask questions and discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment. Here are some tips to help you manage chemotherapy side effects.
Intracavitary chemotherapy is injected directly into a body cavity, while hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy involves inserting a heated drug into the abdominal cavity following surgery. Intrathecal chemotherapy is administered directly into the brain or spinal cord by using a thin, flexible tube. The catheter is connected to a port under the skin, and both of these methods involve minor surgery. However, chemotherapy is not the only option available to your doctor.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy for cancer treatment is a form of therapy where the body is exposed to high-dose radiation. The radiation treatment is carried out in a hospital room, in which the patient will wear a hospital gown or robe. Depending on the location of the cancer, the room may have a special chair. The radiation therapist will use dots on the skin, a body mold, or a face mask to deliver radiation to the cancerous area. They may also use colored lights that point at the cancerous region, but these are harmless.
External-beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. It delivers radiation to the patient’s entire body from a machine outside the body. It is ideal for treating large areas, since the radiation beam is directed at the cancer cells. The radiation beam is created by a linear accelerator with special computer software that adjusts its shape and size to target the cancerous tissue while avoiding healthy tissue. Treatments typically last several weeks, with a single treatment for each of the major parts of the body. For radiation therapy to the head, plastic mesh masks or form-fitting supports are used.
Surgery
Surgery is one of the main types of treatment for cancer. The goal of cancer surgery is to remove a tumor or mass that is causing pain. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, surgery may help remove part of a tumor or mass. Other procedures may be used to relieve symptoms or correct problems caused by cancer. Read on to learn more about the different types of surgery for cancer. You may find one that is right for you.
Surgical techniques for cancer treatment can remove a tumor or part of it, allowing a physician to determine the best treatment plan for you. Sometimes the surgeon will remove lymph nodes located near the cancer in order to remove the entire tumor. This procedure is called a lymphadenectomy. Lymph nodes are bean-shaped organs that help the body fight infection and are one of the first places cancer spreads. In this surgery, the surgeon inserts a video camera called a laparoscope through a small incision. The surgeon can then examine a tumor or part of the body with the laparoscope, and may remove tissue samples for further testing.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy for cancer treatment uses a patient’s own immune cells to target the diseased cells. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that naturally attacks diseased cells and can be enhanced to target cancer cells. Several immune modulators are used to target cancer cells and help the body’s immune system to destroy them. This type of treatment has been around for a long time, but its use for cancer is growing.
Despite the promise of this treatment, however, it is important to keep in mind that immunotherapy drugs are currently only effective in a small percentage of cancer patients. These results are largely due to low participation in clinical trials, where only 3% to 40% of cancer patients participate. While these low participation rates hinder progress in the field, they do not reflect the lack of progress. Research is being done to improve these results and identify the most effective treatments for individual patients.