Cancer is a medical condition caused by the abnormal growth of cancerous cells in a specific region of the body, such as the lungs, breasts or liver. Though a cancer diagnosis can be emotionally overwhelming, there are a number of treatment options available to help cure or alleviate symptoms associated with this condition. The most common cancer treatments currently utilized are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Surgery
The earliest known treatment for cancer is surgery, health professionals at the American Cancer Society (ACS) report. Surgical treatment for cancer can help your surgeon both diagnose and treat cancer-related conditions. This form of cancer treatment requires your surgeon to make an incision (cut) in your skin to allow her access to the cancerous cells within your body. The extent and site of the surgical procedure depends upon the progression and location of your cancer. Your doctor may recommend surgery to prevent (prophylactic surgery), diagnose (diagnostic surgery) or stage (staging surgery) your cancer condition. If your doctor is certain of the type of cancer you have and has determined its progression, he may recommend surgery to remove (curative surgery) or reduce (cytoreductive surgery) the cancerous tumor. Symptoms associated with advanced forms of cancer may be alleviated through palliative surgery, but this type of cancer typically cannot be cured through surgical treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that utilizes specific drugs that target and kill cancer cells, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout the body. This type of therapy can be administered orally, topically or by injection, explains the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Chemo treatment can be used alone or in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy, to decrease the number of cancer cells within your body. Depending upon the type and stage of your cancer, your doctor might recommend chemo treatment to cure or control your cancer. You may be required to receive several months of chemo treatment at a hospital. Chemo can also be used to alleviate symptoms associated with advanced forms of cancer. There are a number of side effects caused by chemo treatment, including hair loss, nausea, fatigue, mouth sores or pain. Such side effects should be discussed with your doctor prior to beginning treatment.
Radiation Therapy
Another type of treatment commonly used to manage cancer is radiation therapy. This type of cancer treatment uses high-energy X-rays to target and kill cancer cells within the body. Radiation can be directed towards the cancer cells through the skin (external radiation) or from within the cancerous tumor itself (internal radiation). The NCI reports that approximately half of all patients with cancer receive some type of radiation therapy to treat or control this medical condition. As with most cancer treatments, radiation therapy can be used in conjunction with surgery or chemo to help kill your cancerous cells. Radiation therapy can cause a number of side effects in patients who utilize this method of cancer treatment. Such side effects can include diarrhea, fatigue, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or changes to the skin. Be sure to discuss the side effects of radiation therapy with your doctor before selecting this form of cancer treatment.
