Treatment Plans Available For Cancer Patients
Cancer Cells
The most important thing to remember when it comes to the treatment of cancer is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The best treatment plan will be tailored to the individual patient and their specific type of cancer. There are a variety of cancer treatments Hong Kong options available, and the best course of action will be determined by the patient’s doctor.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given with a curative intent or it may be used to prolong life or to palliate symptoms. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy waves to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which makes it hard for them to grow and divide. When cancer cells can’t divide, they die. Radiation therapy can also damage healthy cells, but healthy cells can repair themselves. Cancer cells often can’t.
There are two types of radiation therapy: external and internal. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, called a radioactive implant, placed directly into or near cancer.
Most people with cancer will have some side effects from radiation therapy. These side effects depend on many factors, such as the type of cancer, the area being treated, the dose of radiation, and how long the treatment lasts.
Common side effects of radiation therapy include:
• Fatigue
• Skin changes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Mouth sores
• Hair loss
• Infertility
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. These molecules can be found on the surface of cancer cells or inside them. Targeted therapy drugs are designed to attach to these molecules and kill cancer cells without damaging normal cells.
Targeted therapy is often used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Targeted therapy is a relatively new type of cancer treatment. The first targeted therapy drug was approved by the FDA in 1998. Since then, many other targeted therapy drugs have been approved to treat a variety of different types of cancer.
Targeted therapies are usually given as a pill or an injection. They are often taken daily, but some targeted therapy drugs are given weekly or monthly.
The side effects of targeted therapy depend on the specific drug. Some common side effects include fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Targeted therapy can also cause skin rashes, joint pain, and headaches.
Targeted therapy is generally well-tolerated. Most side effects are mild and go away on their own. Serious side effects are rare.
Immunotherapy
Cancer immunotherapy is a treatment that uses certain parts of the immune system to fight cancer. The immune system is the body’s natural defense against infection and disease.
Cancer immunotherapy can be used to treat a variety of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and head and neck cancer.
Cancer immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Cancer immunotherapy is still being studied in clinical trials, and it is not yet known if it is more effective than other cancer treatments.
Cancer immunotherapy works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. There are several different types of cancer immunotherapy, including:
- monoclonal antibodies
- cytokines
- checkpoint inhibitors
- adoptive cell transfer
Monoclonal antibodies are man-made proteins that mimic the antibodies made by the body’s immune system. Antibodies are part of the body’s natural defense against infection and disease.
Monoclonal antibodies can be used to treat cancer by:
- attacking cancer cells
- blocking the growth of new
Stem Cell Transplant
A stem cell transplant may be an option for certain types of cancer. This type of cancer treatment is also called a bone marrow transplant.
Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to develop into many different types of cells in the body. The stem cells used in a transplant come from the bone marrow, which is the spongy tissue inside the bones.
In a stem cell transplant, stem cells from a donor are transplanted into the patient. The stem cells can then develop into healthy blood cells in the patient’s body.
A stem cell transplant may be an option when other treatments, such as chemotherapy, have not worked or are no longer working. A stem cell transplant may also be an option for people who cannot have a bone marrow transplant.
The stem cells used in a transplant can come from the patient’s own body, from a donor, or from a donor who is a match for the patient.
If the stem cells come from the patient’s own body, the transplant is called an autologous transplant. If the stem cells come from a donor, the transplant is called an allogeneic transplant.
Surgery
Surgery is a medical procedure that involves the removal of tissue or organs from the body for purposes such as repair, reconstruction, or transplantation. Surgery is typically performed by a surgeon, but there are some procedures that can be done by other medical professionals such as dentists and optometrists.
The history of surgery dates back to ancient times when early humans would use sharpened tools to cut into the skin for purposes such as trephination, which was a procedure used to relieve pressure on the skull. Surgery has come a long way since then, and now there are many different types of procedures that can be performed, ranging from simple procedures such as removing a splinter, to more complex procedures such as open heart surgery.
There are many different reasons why someone may need to have surgery. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to save a person’s life, such as in the case of emergency surgery to remove a ruptured appendix. In other cases, surgery may be done for purely cosmetic reasons, such as breast augmentation or liposuction.
No matter what the reason for surgery may be, it is important to remember that it is a serious medical procedure that should not be taken lightly.
