Treatment
Cancer treatments vary according to the type of cancer and the
extent of development of the tumor. Common treatments of cancer
include surgery, chemo therapy and radiation. Chemo therapy and radiation are
performed as before or follow up treatment for most of the cancers. Some diagnostic
measures also involve treatment such as colposcopic procedures and hysterectomies.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancer.
The particular type of drug or a combination of different drugs used for
treatment will depend up on the particular type of cancer diagnosed. These drugs
help to destroy cancer cells, to keep the cancer from spreading, to slow the
cancer's growth and to relieve the symptoms. Chemotherapy may be prescribed
on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The schedule should be followed strictly
to have effective results. In addition to its positive results, they can affect
some of the normal cells and cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea, loss
of appetite and hair loss. Leukemia (Blood cancer) and some other cancers are
treated with chemotherapy.
Radiation Therapy
Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer and other
diseases with ionizing radiation. It uses X-rays, electrons or gamma rays to
treat cancer. Radiation injures, destroys or stunts the growth of cancerous
cells at which the rays are aimed. Radiotherapy may be used to treat localized
solid tumors, such as cancers of the skin, tongue, larynx, brain, breast, or
uterine cervix. It can also be used to treat leukemia and lymphoma. The
technique and schedule of treatment will depend on the particular cancer diagnosed
but it will generally last for 5-6 weeks. Treatment techniques includes using
rays on cancer cells from outside, placing radioactive implants directly in
a tumor or body cavity. General side effects of radiotherapy may include temporary
or permanent loss of hair in the area being treated, temporary change in skin
color in the treated area, nausea, skin irritation and tiredness. Radiation
therapy may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.
Surgery
Another treatment method is removal of the tumor and close by
affected areas of the body such as lymph nodes that may be involved, by surgery.
Surgery may be done by it's self or in combination with other therapies and
may occur before or after therapies such as chemo and radiation. It is normally
done only in the early stage's of cancer treatment. Just as other cancer treatments
have side effects, so to do many of the various types of cancer surgery.
Other treatments
Laser Treatment: Laser surgery can be used to treat cancer
in two ways by shrinking or destroying a tumor with heat, or by activating a
chemical - known as a photosensitizing agent - that destroys cancer cells. A
photosensitizing agent is retained in cancer cells, that can be stimulated by
light to cause a reaction that kills cancer cells. Laser surgery is less complicated
than normal surgery and needs only a small incision to pass the laser light
on the effected parts.
Hormone Therapy : Hormone therapy helps to destroy cancer
cells, to stop cancer cells from growing and to relieve symptoms caused by cancer.
Imbalance in the hormone level in the body may promote the growth of cancer
cells. This therapy is done by giving drugs that change the way hormones work
or by surgery to take out organs that make hormones. Hormone therapy will rarely
ever cure anyone of cancer, but it may kill a significant number of the cells
and slow the growth of others.
|
