Track: Therapies for Cancer Treatment
Surgery
Surgery removes tumors or cancerous tissue to prevent the spread of cancer. It’s most effective for localized cancers and may be combined with other treatments. The goal is complete removal, but depending on the tumor’s size, location, and stage, it can range from minimally invasive to complex procedures.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or slow cancer cell growth throughout the body. It is effective for cancers that have spread. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, but it also affects healthy cells, leading to side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and fatigue. Treatment is often given in cycles.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This treatment uses antibodies, vaccines, or checkpoint inhibitors to enhance immune response. It’s effective for cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer, with fewer side effects than traditional treatments, as it specifically targets cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs to block specific molecules involved in cancer growth. It targets mutated genes, proteins, or blood vessels that support tumors, making it more precise than chemotherapy. This method reduces damage to healthy cells and is effective in cancers like leukemia, breast, and lung cancer.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy blocks or lowers hormones like estrogen or testosterone that fuel certain cancers (e.g., breast and prostate cancer). It prevents cancer cells from using hormones to grow. Treatment can include medications, surgery, or radiation, and it’s used to reduce tumor size, prevent recurrence, or manage hormone-sensitive cancers.
Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem cell transplantation restores healthy blood cells after high-dose chemotherapy or radiation. It involves transplanting stem cells from the patient or a donor to regenerate bone marrow. Used for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, it strengthens the immune system, supports blood cell production, and reduces infection risks.
Scientific Highlights
- Cancer Research
- Cancer Symptoms and Causes
- Types of Cancer
- Screening & Diagnosis for Cancer
- Cancer Biology and Genetics
- Therapies for Cancer Treatment
- Cancer and Oncology Nursing
- Cancer - Clinical trials
- Breast Cancer and Treatments
- HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer Surgery
- Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
- Radiology and Oncology
- COVID-19 Impact on Cancer