Cancer is a life-threatening disease that affects many people all around the world. Medical experts are still fighting a way to overcome cancer for a long time however, the advanced treatment options offers hope many cancer patients.
Usually, an oncologist refers five essential treatments that help you to fight against this deadly disease. From surgery to chemotherapy and from radiation to targeted therapies, each cancer treatment plays a vital role in restoring your health and improving the quality of your life.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a systemic cancer treatment that involves the use of drugs to target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body. These drugs may be administered orally, through injections, or intravenously.
Chemotherapy works by specifically targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells. This may affect healthy cells, leading to side effects such as hair loss and nausea. It can either used as a primary treatment or in combination with other therapies.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is another cancer treatment that utilizes high-energy beams or particles to destroy cancer cells. This treatment is typically used after surgery to remove any remaining cancerous cells or as a standalone therapy in cases where surgery is not feasible.
Radiation therapy works by damaging the genetic material of cancer cells, preventing their further growth and division. The radiation can be delivered externally or internally, depending on the type and location of the tumor. Although it may cause side effects, it has proved as a powerful treatment options in combating cancer.
Surgery
Cancer surgery is one of the most common cancer treatments. It involves physically removing cancerous tumors from the body. Most surgeons use specialized techniques to precisely remove cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue.
Depending on the type, stage, and location of the cancer, surgery may be performed as the primary treatment or combined with other therapies, such as radiation or chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. Unlike other cancer treatments, this therapy boosts the immune system's natural ability to identify and destroy cancerous cells.
This treatment may involve drugs, antibodies, or immune cell therapies, among others. Immunotherapy has shown success, in treating advanced cancers that were previously difficult to treat with conventional therapies.
Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapies are medications that specifically target the genetic or molecular abnormalities driving cancer growth. These therapies work by blocking tumor growth, inhibiting blood vessel formation to tumors, and by directly attacking cancer cells with customized drugs.
Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapies tend to have fewer side effects. Targeted therapies offering personalized approaches and improved outcomes for patients with certain types of cancer.
An oncologist in Siliguri recommends the five essential cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, that help you to fight against cancer.
Remember, each treatment has its specific advantages and applications, and their combined efforts have significantly improved the survival rates and quality of life for numerous cancer patients including you.
