There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating cancer. The oncologist you decide to work with to fight cancer may recommend one or more different types of treatment options. Here are four types of treatments your oncologist may think will help you win your fight against cancer:
Chemotherapy
As one of the most well-known types of cancer treatments, chemotherapy can be utilized alone or in conjunction with other treatment options to kill cancer cells. Sometimes, chemotherapy is used to completely eradicate cancer when the disease is caught early. Chemotherapy may also be used to slow down the progression of cancer while other treatments work to get rid of the disease altogether.
This type of treatment is even sometimes used to enhance a patient's quality of life when it is too late to get rid of cancer. Chemotherapy can work on many different kinds of cancer including lymphoma, sarcoma, lung, and breast cancer. Side effects are something many patients experience when undergoing chemotherapy treatment, but the side effects can be managed with the help of your oncologist.
Immunotherapy
A strong immune system can more easily fight off cancer cells, so enhancing the immune system through immunotherapy is something your oncologist might recommend. There are multiple types of immunotherapies that can be utilized to make your immune system stronger so that it can fight off cancer.
The most common types include monoclonal antibodies, T-cell therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The type of immunotherapy your oncologist might recommend will depend on things such as the type of cancer you are fighting and the other types of treatments that you are undergoing. Side effects are common when undergoing immunotherapy but are usually much less severe than the side effects of chemotherapy.
Surgery
Sometimes surgery can be used to get rid of cancer completely or to get rid of tumors before other treatments are used to kill cancer cells. Surgery is usually recommended when cancer is present in just one area of the body but can be utilized when cancer has spread to ease pain and discomfort. If the cancer is caught early enough, surgery may be all that's needed to cure your disease. If the disease has progressed, cancer could be recommended with one or more other types of treatment options that your oncologist offers.
Lifestyle Changes
Your oncologist might recommend that you make some lifestyle changes in conjunction with undergoing medical treatment options to fight off cancer. For example, they will likely request that you stop smoking and drinking alcohol at least while you undergo treatments. They might want to discuss your diet and recommend small changes that will naturally strengthen your immune system. They could also recommend an exercise regimen to help you relieve stress and keep your body healthy.
To learn more about potential cancer treatments, contact a medical professional in your area.
