Cancer Treatments
Read doctor-produced health and medical information written for you to make informed decisions about your health concerns.
Chemotherapy
- Purpose: Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors, and prevent the disease from spreading.
- Treatment Forms: It can be the main treatment or used alongside surgery (before as neoadjuvant or after as adjuvant).
- Method: It involves administering chemical agents that target the rapid division of cancer cells.
- Side Effects: While effective, it can also affect healthy cells, leading to various side effects.
- Advancements: Recent medical advancements have made chemotherapy more targeted and tolerable.
- Consultation: A detailed discussion with an oncologist is essential to understand the treatment’s scope.
Immunotherapy
- Definition: Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
- Function: It works by either stimulating the immune system to work harder or smarter to attack cancer cells, or by providing components of the immune system (like man-made immune system proteins).
- Types: Common types include immune checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell transfer therapy, and monoclonal antibodies1.
- Benefits: Immunotherapy can be more precise than traditional treatments, targeting specific parts of cancer cells.
- Side Effects: As with all treatments, it can cause side effects, which vary depending on the type of immunotherapy used.
- Application: It’s used to treat a variety of cancer types, and ongoing research continues to expand its potential.
- Consultation: Discussing with an oncologist is crucial to understand if immunotherapy is suitable for your condition.
- Next Steps: Book an appointment with a healthcare provider to learn more about immunotherapy as a treatment option.
Hematology
- Definition: Hematology is the branch of medicine focused on the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood-related disorders.
- Function: It plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating various conditions related to blood and the hematopoietic system.
- Blood Components: Hematology covers the study of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and plasma.
- Disorders: It includes conditions like anemia, blood cancers, hemophilia, and other bleeding/clotting disorders.
- Tests: Hematologists use tests like complete blood counts and bone marrow biopsies to diagnose blood conditions.
- Treatments: Treatment can range from medication to blood transfusions, depending on the condition.
- Oncology Relation: Many hematologists also specialize in oncology, as blood disorders can include cancers like leukemia.
- Next Steps: Book an appointment with a hematologist to get a comprehensive evaluation if you suspect a blood-related issue.
Targeted Cancer
- Purpose: Targeted Cancer Therapy is designed to treat cancer by targeting specific proteins that control the growth, division, and spread of cancer cells.
- Precision Medicine: It represents the foundation of precision medicine, aiming to tailor treatment to individual genetic profiles.
- Types: The therapy includes small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies, each targeting cancer cells differently.
- Mechanism: These therapies work by interfering with cancer cell proteins or by marking cancer cells for the immune system to destroy.
- Effectiveness: Targeted therapies are often more precise than traditional treatments, sparing healthy cells and reducing side effects.
- Eligibility: Patients may need biomarker testing to determine if their cancer has the targets for these therapies.
- Research: It’s a rapidly growing field, with new therapies under development and in clinical trials.
- Next Steps: Book an appointment with an oncologist to discuss if Targeted Cancer Therapy is an option for you.
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Chemotherapy
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Hormonal therapy
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Immunotherapy
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Targeted therapy
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