Cancer treatment aims to eliminate, destroy, or control the growth of cancer cells in your body. Oncology is the specialized field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating cancer.
Diverse Treatment Approaches
Numerous approaches exist for treating cancer, with the most common being:
- Surgery: Surgical removal of tumors and affected tissues.
- Radiotherapy: Using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Administering drugs to kill cancer cells.
The ideal treatment plan is tailored to each patient, considering factors like tumor location, cancer stage, and overall health.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It's a systemic therapy, meaning the drugs travel throughout the body to kill cancer cells that may have spread beyond the original tumor.
How does chermotherapy work?
- Chemotherapy drugs interfere with the cancer cells' ability to grow and divide, ultimately leading to their death.
- Different chemotherapy drugs work in different ways, targeting various aspects of the cancer cell's life cycle.
Types of chemotherapy
- There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they are often used in combination.
- The specific drugs and combinations used depend on the type of cancer, its stage, and the patient's overall health.
How is chemotherapy administered?
- Chemotherapy can be given in various ways:
- Intravenously (IV): through a vein
- Orally: as pills or capsules
- Injected: into a muscle or under the skin
- Topically: applied to the skin
- Directly into a body cavity: such as the abdomen or chest
When is chemotherapy used?
- Chemotherapy can be used:
- To cure cancer
- To shrink tumors before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
- To kill remaining cancer cells after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy)
- To slow cancer growth and relieve symptoms (palliative chemotherapy)
What are side effects of chemotherapy?
- Chemotherapy can cause side effects because it can also damage healthy cells.
- Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Increased risk of infection
- The severity of side effects varies depending on the drugs used, the dosage, and the individual's overall health.
Considerations for chemotherapy treatment
- Chemotherapy is a powerful treatment option for many cancers, but it's essential to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor.
- Your doctor will consider your specific situation and develop a personalized treatment plan that's right for you.
- Support and resources are available to help you manage side effects and cope with the challenges of chemotherapy treatment.
Speak to our Specialists today for more information and support you need to make informed decisions about your care.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, preventing them from growing and dividing. Targeted radiation treatment allows for minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
There are various advanced radiation therapy techniques used in cancer treatment. Here's a breakdown of each:
1. IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy)
- What it is: IMRT uses computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses to tumors with irregular shapes.
- How it works: The radiation beams are shaped and modulated in intensity, allowing for higher doses to be delivered to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
- Benefits: Improved tumor targeting, reduced side effects, and better outcomes for cancers near critical organs.
2. IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy)
- What it is: IGRT uses imaging technology (like X-rays or CT scans) to precisely locate the tumor before and during each radiation treatment session.
- How it works: By visualizing the tumor in real-time, IGRT ensures that the radiation beams are accurately targeted, even if the tumor moves due to breathing or other factors.
- Benefits: Increased accuracy, reduced side effects, and improved treatment outcomes, particularly for tumors in areas that move, like the lungs or prostate.
3. VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy)
- What it is: VMAT is a type of IMRT that delivers radiation continuously as the machine rotates around the patient.
- How it works: The radiation beam's shape and intensity are constantly adjusted as the machine rotates, allowing for faster and more efficient treatment delivery.
- Benefits: Shorter treatment times, improved patient comfort, and potentially reduced side effects compared to traditional IMRT.
4. SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy)
- What it is: SBRT delivers very high doses of radiation to small, well-defined tumors in a few treatment sessions.
- How it works: Advanced imaging and precise targeting allow for the delivery of ablative doses of radiation, effectively destroying the tumor.
- Benefits: Non-invasive alternative to surgery for early-stage lung cancer, liver cancer, and other tumors. Can also be used to treat tumors that have spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).
5. Brachytherapy
- What it is: Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources directly inside or near the tumor.
- How it works: The radioactive sources deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
- Benefits: Highly effective for certain cancers, including prostate, cervical, and breast cancers. Can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
These advanced radiation therapy techniques offer precise and effective cancer treatment options, improving outcomes and minimizing side effects for many patients. Speak to our Specialists today for more information and support you need to make informed decisions about your care.
Advanced Treatment Options
Medical advancements have led to innovative cancer treatments with greater precision and fewer side effects:
- Proton Beam Therapy: Delivers targeted radiation doses directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Combination Therapies
Doctors often recommend combination therapies to optimize treatment outcomes. This may involve:
- Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: Used together to enhance cancer cell destruction and prevent cancer spread.
- Surgery with Adjuvant Therapy: Surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk.
At our Radiation Oncology Suite and Nuclear Medicine Suite, cancer patients are seen by multi-disciplinary teams for individualized treatment plans. Speak to our Specialists today.
