Different types of cancers grow at different rates and respond to different forms of treatment. Not all cancers form tumours. In the case of a blood cancer like leukaemia, for example, the cancer cells replace the white blood cells.
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment type but most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
A number of factors will be taken into account before your doctor recommends the best treatment for you. These include:
The sooner cancer is found and treatment starts, the better your chances of surviving the condition. The treatment options are simpler for stage one and two cancers when compared to stage three and four. If the cancer is in an early stage, it might take only one method, like surgery, to treat the cancer. This is because it is still confined to one area. Once the cancer starts spreading, it might not be possible to surgically remove all of the cancer. The oncologist (cancer specialist) will suggest other therapies as well, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Even for early-stage cancer, where the cancer is surgically removed, your oncologist might prescribe further preventative treatment, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to make sure that the cancer cells are destroyed.
You should learn as much as you can about your specific diagnosis. Ask your doctor questions about your disease but be careful when doing research online. Many sites can be frightening, inaccurate, or misleading. Your doctor or nurse can suggest reputable websites.
Treatment generally aims to remove the cancer as far as possible. This might not always be possible, especially if your cancer is at an advanced stage. Some treatments stop or slow down the growth and spread of the cancer, preventing further symptoms and improving quality of life.
Your healthcare team may suggest palliative treatment to manage your symptoms and side effects in the advanced stages of cancer. Ask your doctor to explain the goals of your treatment plan and how it will affect you – and make sure it aligns with your personal goals for treatment.
The main types of cancer treatment include:
Weigh the positives and negatives of each treatment option, including the: