HOW IS CANCER TREATED?
Surgery serves a number of important purposes in treating cancer. A malignant growth may be removed completely, before it has damaged neighboring tissues or has spread to other parts of the body. When this is successful, the cancer may be cured and never return again. It may even be beneficial to operate on a tumor that has spread to other parts of the body. If the tumor causes symptoms because of pressure on neighboring organs, or if it causes a blockage of the intestinal or urinary tract, its removal may greatly relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Other treatments are more effective when the size of the tumor is reduced through surgery.
Another important type of treatment is radiation therapy, in which beams of high-energy radiation are focused on tumors or collections of malignant cells. This is often effective in killing the malignant growth or decreasing its speed of development. Radiation can harm healthy tissue, so lead shields and special focusing devices are used, usually successfully, to prevent harm to healthy tissue.
Radiation therapy is sometimes used in conjunction with surgery and drug therapy. After the tumor is removed, radiation can decrease the likelihood of malignant cells spreading from the original site of the growth.
Treatment with various medications, called chemotherapeutic agents, can interfere with the growth and development of many kinds of tumors. Chemical agents are used with radiation therapy, with surgery, or often alone. Combination chemotherapy, a series or blending of drugs, can be beneficial because different varieties of medications can attack the tumor in different places. Also, a smaller amount of each may be effective, thereby decreasing their side effects. And the malignancy may regress more quickly if different parts of its growth cycle are attacked separately.
In addition to chemotherapy, some cancers improve with hormone therapy. Some tumors need either male or female hormones to grow. Changes in the amount of these hormones in the body may decrease the speed with which the tumors develop. Hormones are sometimes used with surgery, with radiation therapy, and occasionally with other drugs.
One of the major problems with radiation and drug therapy are side effects or complications. Even with the best methods available, it is difficult to kill malignant cells without harming normal cells. Whenever possible, physicians try to decrease the possibility or duration of side effects without compromising the benefits of therapy. Some side effects are uncomfortable but not dangerous; others are so severe that they interfere with further treatments.
When cancer treatment is begun, you and your physician should discuss fully the likely side effects. Even though they may be uncomfortable, it is easier to accept them if you know about them beforehand, rather than finding out after the treatment has begun. For instance, if you know that you may temporarily lose your hair following chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you might buy a wig before treatment is begun. This will allow you and others to get used to the way you look in a wig.
Many side effects are transient and can be prevented by taking certain medications before the therapy is begun. A period of trial and error may be necessary before your physician can prevent some of the common, minor side effects, such as nausea or vomiting, whenever you receive chemotherapy. Usually, these side effects can be alleviated.
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