When it comes to cancer treatment options, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient’s cancer is evaluated based on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Your doctor will also consider your overall health and preferences.
Your doctor will provide a clear picture of your diagnosis, let you know whether it’s curable, and let you know what you can expect from treatment. From there, you can decide on your cancer treatment.
CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS
There are many types of cancer treatment, and usually, most people with cancer will use a combination of therapies to treat cancer. Your doctor may recommend one or several of the treatments below:
Surgery
The purpose of surgery is to remove the tumor from the body. Surgery is most successful if cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Not every type of cancer can be treated with surgery, but it can be used for breast, colorectal, and esophageal cancers.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is cancer treatment through the oral or intravenous delivery of drugs. The medication circulates throughout the body, which is why chemotherapy is used to treat cancer that has spread, preventing cancer cells from growing and dividing.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to treat cancer that is localized or found in one part of the body only. Radiation therapy can kill cancer cells and prevent them from coming back. It can also be used to shrink tumors and may be performed after surgery – called adjuvant treatment – to kill any remaining cancer cells that may have been left behind. Radiotherapy can be used to treat early stage cancer or cancer that has spread.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy as a cancer treatment uses your immune system to fight cancer. The goal is to help your immune system identify cancer in the body, so it can fight it or elicit a response that is strong enough to fight cancer. There are several types of immunotherapy used to treat cancer. The specific type recommended is based on the type of cancer. It is a promising treatment for advanced lung cancer and is often used to treat lymphoma.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials develop and test new therapies to treat cancer for safety and effectiveness. Some cancer patients may be eligible for clinical trials that use treatments and procedures not available elsewhere to help cure or control their type of cancer. It is often a requirement for patients who participate in clinical trials to have good organ function. There are advantages and disadvantages to treatments that are still being examined, and these will be discussed with your doctor.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a treatment that slows or stops the growth of hormone-specific cancers such as breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers. The goal of hormone therapy is to block the body’s production of hormones that fuel the growth of cancer. The cancer treatment options available to you will depend on your type and stage of cancer.
WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CANCER CARE
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but with a supportive and compassionate cancer care team, you do not have to face it alone. At Wooster Community Hospital, our cancer care team – comprising two board-certified hematologists/oncologists, a radiation oncologist, and a certified nurse practitioner – is with our patients every step of the way. We will discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with you, including the benefits and risks of each, so you are empowered to make a decision that you are comfortable with.
We have teamed up with The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute – a leading cancer care provider to provide medical oncology services in Wooster’s oncology campus. We promise you expert, compassionate care in a therapeutic environment.
Find out what makes Wooster Cancer Care different. Call us today at (330) 262-2800 to make an appointment with one of our oncologists or use our convenient online form. We look forward to being your partner in health.