Cancer therapy

Cancer therapy refers to the various methods of treating cancer, a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. There are many types of cancer therapy, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, stem cell transplant, and precision medicine. The choice of therapy depends on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health.

Surgery

Surgery is one of the oldest types of cancer therapy. It involves the physical removal of the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue. The goal of surgery can be diagnostic (to confirm a cancer diagnosis), curative (to remove all cancerous tissue), or palliative (to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer).

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells. It can be delivered externally (from a machine outside the body) or internally (from radioactive material placed in the body near the cancer cells). Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be systemic (affecting the whole body) or regional (targeting a specific part of the body). Chemotherapy can be used to cure cancer, control its growth, or relieve symptoms.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer. It can be active (stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells) or passive (using immune system components to attack cancer). Immunotherapy includes treatments like checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and cancer vaccines.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells. It can block the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells. Targeted therapies include monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is a treatment that slows or stops the growth of cancer that uses hormones to grow. It is often used in breast and prostate cancers.

Stem Cell Transplant

A stem cell transplant is a procedure that restores blood-forming stem cells in cancer patients who have had theirs destroyed by very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Precision Medicine

Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, is an approach to patient care that allows doctors to select treatments that are most likely to help patients based on a genetic understanding of their disease.