Cancer Treatments

There are many different cancer treatments. Knowing about the different options and commonly used treatments for cancer can help prepare you for the management you or your loved one are likely to be recommended by your treating physicians.

While some treatments for cancer are quite specific to one type of cancer, there are a few, particularly surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which apply to many different forms of cancer and are frequently employed as part of any treatment regimen.

Each type of cancer is different and each patient is different. This section simply covers some of the common types of treatment used for many cancers. The appropriate treatment for any individual case should be discussed with an appropriate treating physician.

Common Treatment Options:

Cancer Surgery: Actual physical removal of the cancer tissue is one of the most effective ways to treat cancer for many cancers and is part of the treatment regimen for many patients with cancer.

Chemotherapy: Drugs that kill cancer cells or slow their growth is another common treatment for cancer.

Radiation Treatment: Use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer cells is an old but often effective treatment. Newer ways to deliver the radiation have made this treatment safer with less side-effects for many types of cancer.

Other Related Topics:

Is There a Cure for Cancer?

Clinical Trials for Cancer

Bone Marrow Transplant

What is Palliative Care?