Systemic treatment

Systemic treatment refers to therapeutic approaches wherein substances traverse the bloodstream, ensuring that cancer cells are reached and affected throughout the entire body. As opposed to localized treatments like surgery or radiation, which target a specific area, systemic treatments can address cancer cells that may have spread or are hard to reach.

Overview

Systemic treatments play a pivotal role in managing metastatic cancers, which have dispersed from their primary site to other body parts. These treatments are integral in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence, treating established metastatic disease, or even as a primary treatment in some malignancies.

Types of Systemic Treatment

There are multiple systemic treatment modalities, each with its specific mechanism of action and indications:

• Chemotherapy: Uses drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells. It can be administered through a vein (intravenously) or taken orally.
• Hormone Therapy: Targets cancers that grow in response to hormones, like certain breast and prostate cancers.
• Immunotherapy: Boosts the body's natural defense mechanism to fight cancer.
• Targeted Therapy: Focuses on specific molecular targets that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
• Monoclonal Antibodies: Laboratory-produced molecules engineered to act as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system's attack on cancer cells.

Administration

While many systemic treatments are given intravenously, others come in pill or capsule form. Treatment schedules can vary from daily, weekly, to monthly, depending on the specific drug and the type of cancer being treated.

Advantages

• Widespread Reach: Systemic treatments can target cancer cells virtually anywhere in the body.
• Combination Therapy: Often, systemic treatments can be combined with other modalities, enhancing the overall therapeutic effect.

Side Effects

Given that systemic treatments circulate throughout the body, they can also affect healthy cells:

• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Increased risk of infection
• Anemia
• Bleeding or bruising
• Appetite changes
• Hormonal changes

It's essential to consult with healthcare professionals to manage and mitigate these side effects.

Future Directions

Research in systemic treatments is an ever-evolving field. Innovations include:

• Newer drugs with fewer side effects
• Drugs targeting specific cancer mutations
• Combining systemic treatments with precision medicine to tailor treatment to individual patients

See also

• Oncology
• Cancer metastasis
• Radiation Therapy
• Surgical Oncology
• Tumor microenvironment

Systemic treatment Resources
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