Learn the different methods and the side effects associated with each. When you undergo treatment, you will be well educated on what to expect and how to manage treatment more effectively.
Methods of Treatment
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs. It is administered by pill, IV, injection or applied on the skin.
- Surgery
This is usually the first choice used by physicians. However, it is not effective if the cancer has spread. Surgery is used to remove tumors, or masses.
- Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of energy to kill cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors.
- Immunotherapy/Biological Response Modifiers (BRM)
Immunotherapy is treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer. The immune system is stimulated by an outside source, such as an antibody, or synthetic immune system proteins.
You may be eligible for a clinical trial, which can be a variety of the above treatments. If you are interested in clinical trials, be sure to ask your physician. He may be able to refer you to local centers that are researching new cancer therapies.
Depending on what type of cancer and the stage, will affect which treatments are used. Many times a combination of treatments are used in conjunction with each other.
