what are some treatment options for cancer

What are five possible treatments for cancer?

Drug treatments (such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy) are often called "systemic" treatments because they can affect the entire body. Learn about the most common types of treatment for cancer here. Surgery. Chemotherapy. …

What is the easiest type of cancer to treat?

Apr 27, 2021 · Cancer treatment options include: Surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer or as much of the cancer as possible. Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells.

What are the best ways to treat cancer?

Depending on the type of breast cancer, different types of drug treatment might be used, including: Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer. Targeted Drug Therapy for Breast Cancer. Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer.

What is the best cure for cancer?

Types of Treatment Surgery. An operation where doctors cut out cancer tissue. Chemotherapy. Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given... Radiation therapy. Using high-energy rays (similar to X …

What kind of treatment is needed for cancer?

Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.

Is it normal to be overwhelmed with cancer?

When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused. But, talking with your doctor and learning all you can about all your treatment options, including clinical trials, can help you make a decision you feel good about.

What are the different types of cancer treatments?

Types of Cancer Treatment. Many procedures and drugs are available to treat cancer, with many more being studied. Some are "local" treatments like surgery and radiation therapy , which are used to treat a specific tumor or area of the body.

What is systemic treatment for cancer?

Drug treatments (such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy) are often called "systemic" treatments because they can affect the entire body. Learn about the most common types of treatment for cancer here. Surgery.

What is the most common cancer treatment?

Any cancer treatment can be used as a primary treatment, but the most common primary cancer treatment for the most common types of cancer is surgery. If your cancer is particularly sensitive to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, you may receive one of those therapies as your primary treatment. Adjuvant treatment.

Why is cancer treated?

Why it's done. The goal of cancer treatment is to achieve a cure for your cancer, allowing you to live a normal life span. This may or may not be possible, depending on your specific situation. If a cure isn't possible, your treatments may be used to shrink your cancer or slow the growth of your cancer to allow you to live symptom free ...

What is adjuvant therapy?

Adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant therapy is to kill any cancer cells that may remain after primary treatment in order to reduce the chance that the cancer will recur. Any cancer treatment can be used as an adjuvant therapy. Common adjuvant therapies include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.

What is bone marrow transplant?

A bone marrow transplant, also knowns as a stem cell transplant, can use your own bone marrow stem cells or those from a donor. A bone marrow transplant allows your doctor to use higher doses of chemotherapy to treat your cancer. It may also be used to replace diseased bone marrow. Immunotherapy.

How does radiofrequency ablation work?

Radiofrequency ablation. This treatment uses electrical energy to heat cancer cells, causing them to die. During radiofrequency ablation, a doctor guides a thin needle through the skin or through an incision and into the cancer tissue.

What is the difference between neoadjuvant and palliative?

Neoadjuvant therapy is similar, but treatments are used before the primary treatment in order to make the primary treatment easier or more effective. Palliative treatment. Palliative treatments may help relieve side effects of treatment or signs and symptoms caused by cancer itself. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy can all be ...

What is the goal of surgery?

Surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer or as much of the cancer as possible. Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment can come from a machine outside your body ...

How to cope with cancer?

Here are some ideas to help you cope: Learn enough about cancer to make decisions about your care. Ask your doctor about your cancer, including your treatment options and, if you like, your prognosis. As you learn more about cancer, you may become more confident in making treatment decisions.

What is the goal of cancer treatment?

Cure. The goal of treatment is to achieve a cure for your cancer, allowing you to live a normal life span. This may or may not be possible, depending on your specific situation. Primary treatment. The goal of a primary treatment is to completely remove the cancer from your body or kill the cancer cells.

Why can't cancer survive unchecked?

Cancer can survive unchecked in your body because your immune system doesn't recognize it as an intruder. Immunotherapy can help your immune system "see" the cancer and attack it. Hormone therapy. Some types of cancer are fueled by your body's hormones. Examples include breast cancer and prostate cancer.

What does a doctor do when you have cancer?

Your doctor uses your cancer's stage to determine your treatment options and your chances for a cure.

What is the only way to definitively diagnose cancer?

Biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor collects a sample of cells for testing in the laboratory. There are several ways of collecting a sample. Which biopsy procedure is right for you depends on your type of cancer and its location. In most situations, a biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose cancer.

How do doctors look at cells?

In the laboratory, doctors look at cell samples under the microscope. Normal cells look uniform, with similar sizes and orderly organization. Cancer cells look less orderly, with varying sizes and without apparent organization.

What is the best test for cancer?

Imaging tests used in diagnosing cancer may include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ), positron emission tomography (PET ) scan, ultrasound and X-ray, among others. Biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor collects a sample of cells for testing in the laboratory.

What type of treatment is used for breast cancer?

Depending on the type of breast cancer, different types of drug treatment might be used, including: Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer. Targeted Drug Therapy for Breast Cancer. Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer.

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Why is communicating with your cancer team important?

Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life. Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and can be an important part of your care.

Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.

Why is it important to discuss treatment options with your doctor?

Making treatment decisions. It’s important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decision that best fits your needs. It’s also very important to ask questions if there's anything you’re not sure about.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment.

What are the services offered by the American Cancer Society?

These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment.

How is lung cancer treated?

People with non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. People with small cell lung cancer are usually treated with radiation therapy ...

How to shrink cancer?

Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both. Radiation therapy. Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer. Targeted therapy. Using drugs to block the growth and spread of cancer cells.

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy. Using drugs to block the growth and spread of cancer cells. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins. Doctors from different specialties often work together to treat lung cancer. Pulmonologists are doctors who are experts in diseases of the lungs.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary and alternative medicine are medicines and health practices that are not standard cancer treatments. Complementary medicine is used in addition to standard treatments. Examples include acupuncture, dietary supplements, massage therapy, hypnosis, and meditation.

What are the two types of lung cancer?

The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These categories refer to what the cancer cells look like under a microscope. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer. If you have lung cancer (especially non-small cell lung cancer), your doctor may run tests.

What is alternative medicine?

Alternative medicine is used instead of standard treatments. Examples include special diets, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, and magnet therapy. Many kinds of complementary and alternative medicine have not been tested scientifically and may not be safe.

What is the second opinion on cancer?

Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and their side effects. Side effects are how your body reacts to drugs or other treatments. Sometimes people get an opinion from more than one cancer doctor. This is called a “second opinion.”. Getting a second opinion. external icon.

Making Lung Cancer Treatment Decisions

Talking about lung cancer and its treatment options can be confusing. Make sure you understand your options and potential side effects before you make any decision.

Lung Cancer Treatment Options

Once your doctors have determined your lung cancer profile, they will present you with one or a combination of the following options:

Take Action

Voice your concerns to your doctor. He or she can discuss lung cancer treatment options with you and answer your questions. Download our Lung Cancer Treatment Organizer to keep track of your treatment plan.

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

What are the treatments for pancreatic cancer?

Depending on the type and stage of the cancer and other factors, treatment options for people with pancreatic cancer can include: Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer. Ablation or Embolization Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer. Radiation Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer. Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer. Targeted Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment.

Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.

Why is it important to discuss all of your treatment options with your doctor?

It’s important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decision that best fits your needs. Some important things to consider include:

What are the services offered by the American Cancer Society?

These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment.

What kind of doctor treats cancer?

The doctors on your cancer treatment team might include: A surgical oncologist: a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with surgery. A radiation oncologist: a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy. A medical oncologist: a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.