Cancer treatment encompasses a variety of approaches aimed at eliminating cancer cells or slowing their growth. Depending on the type and stage of your cancer, you might undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Lifestyle factors, such as maintaining a healthy diet and managing stress, can play a supportive role during and after treatment.
Types of Treatments for CancerMedically Reviewed by Ryland J. Gore, MD, MPH | October 7, 2022
FAQ
What are the common side effects of chemotherapy?
Nausea, fatigue, and hair loss are common side effects of chemotherapy.
How does radiation therapy work?
Radiation uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. External beam radiation, in which a machine directs beams at the area of the body with cancer cells, is the most common type.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy uses components of your immune system, such as T cells, to help fight your cancer.
Can cancer treatment cause long-term effects?
Yes, some types of cancer treatments can have lasting effects on health.
What is the goal of palliative care?
Palliative care seeks to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life in people with serious illnesses. Palliative care can be used whether someone is undergoing treatment for their disease or has decided to stop treatments.
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Lisa Curcio, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist. She is currently the medical director of breast surgery at Northern Dutchess Hos...
Allison Buttarazzi, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, and is a certified health and well-being coach. In her primary care practice, Dr. Buttarazzi...
Tawee Tanvetyanon, MD, MPH, is a professor of oncologic sciences and senior member at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florid...
Walter Tsang, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist, hematologist, and lifestyle medicine specialist. Inspired by the ancient Eastern philosophy of yang sheng ("nourishing li...
Nimit Sudan, MD, is a hematologist and medical oncologist with UCLA. He is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA and serves as a lead physician at the Encino community practice. ...
Scott Haak, PT, DPT, has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 2000. Dr. Haak serves as faculty for the Sports Medicine Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic Florida. He is cert...
Thomas Marron, MD, PhD, is the assistant director of early phase and immunotherapy clinical trials at the Tisch Cancer Institute of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in N...
Grant Chu, MD, is an associate clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Chu is also associate director of inpatient East-West consult services at the ...
Conor E. Steuer, MD, is medical oncologist specializing in the care of aerodigestive cancers, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies and an assistant professor in the department of ...
Ryland Gore, MD, MPH, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in breast surgical oncology in Atlanta. She completed her general surgery residency at Rush Univ...
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