Cancer Health Center

There are many different types of cancer treatment available. Many times patients have a choice about which treatment they would prefer. However, it is important to speak with your doctor to work out the best treatment option for you.

Your cancer treatment primarily depends on the type of cancer you have as well as the stage of the disease. Surgery is a common treatment for various types of cancers. A surgeon removes the tumor and tissue surrounding it to make sure the tumor cannot grow back. Lymph nodes nearby may also be taken out.

Radiation therapy is another form of treatment. Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. There are a few different types of radiation therapy including: external radiation (radiation coming from a machine outside of the body), internal radiation (radiation coming from radioactive material put near the infected tissue) and systemic radiation (radiation coming from liquid containing radioactive material going through the body).

Chemotherapy is the treatment most think of when they think of battling the disease. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is typically administered by mouth or through a vein. This treatment type is usually given in cycles. People may receive treatment for one or more days then are able to recover for a longer period of time before returning for more chemotherapy.

Hormone therapy prevents cancerous cells from getting or using the hormones they need to grow. Hormone therapy may include drugs given to the patient to stop the making of hormones or surgery to remove organs that create hormones.

Biological therapy, treatment that aids the immune system in fighting the disease, and stem cell transplants, the transplantation of stem cells so the patient can receive higher doses of chemotherapy or radiation, are additional treatment options for cancer.