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Surgery is the most effective treatment for a solid tumour when it is operable. However, each person is different and needs an individual treatment plan. The treatment plan depends on the type, location, size, stage and grade of cancer.
During surgery, the surgeon removes the section of the tissue that is affected. Nearby lymph glands will also be removed because if the cancer has spread, it usually spreads first to the lymph glands.
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. They stop cancer cells from growing and reproducing themselves. These drugs can be given orally or by injections. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Drugs may be used alone, before or after surgery, or together with radiation therapy to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles. Each cycle consists of a treatment period followed by a resting (recovery) period. As cancer drugs also affect normal cells, the resting period is to allow the body to recover before the next treatment cycle starts. There are side effects associated with chemotherapy such as hair loss, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, mouth ulcers and risks of infection. However, these are temporary and steps can be taken to prevent or reduce them.
Radiation Therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing further. Although radiation therapy can affect both cancer cells as well as normal cells, the aim of radiation is to destroy more cancer cells and spare as many normal cells as possible.
Radiation therapy cause some side effects which vary among individuals. The most common side effect is "sunburn" on the skin. The degree and intensity of the skin reaction are greater in patients receiving a large standard dose and in patients who have fair skin. The skin also becomes darker and thicker.
Other side effects depend on the area that is being treated. For example, if the abdominal area is being treated, the patient may experience diarrhoea. Usually, these effects are temporary and are manageable.
Hormone Therapy or Endocrine Manipulation is a therapy that aims to control a cancer by changing the hormonal environment in which it is growing. Hormone is a substance which has specific effect on the way the body works. Made in very small amounts by glands, various hormones help to regulate and coordinate growth, metabolism and reproduction. They are distributed in the bloodstream. Cancer of the breast or prostate, for example, can respond well to hormone treatment. | |
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