29 Neoplasms – Treatment Overview

Cancer treatments are continuously improving.  Part of this improvement has involved developing more sensitive diagnostic tests which has enabled earlier detection and therefore earlier and more successful treatments.  Additionally, research into cancer risk factors, preventative measures and putting in place lifestyle changes that can promote overall health, have the potential to reduce the number of cancer cases as well as improve responses and success rates of cancer treatment.

There are several types of cancer treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and thermotherapy.

Treatment selection is based on the specific cancer’s sensitivity to the treatment, other underlying health factors, and often involves a combination of methods.  Treatment approachs also depend on the cancer’s cell type and extracellular matrix.  For example, blood cancers can be more fluid by nature, therefore requiring drug treatment (i.e. chemotherapy), while solid tumors may be more easily treated with surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.  Treatments can also last several months as rounds of chemotherapy or radiation may be necessary due to the progressive process of destroying surface layers of solid tumors that is often required due to the impenetrable nature of solid tumors.

There is a distinction between curative and palliative treatments, in that the curative treatments are more likely to be able to eliminate cancers from the body and the goal in place with the treatment plan will be to achieve complete remission.  Palliative treatments on the other hand are aimed at reducing complications, improving quality of life and prolonging life for advanced cancers where a cure is unlikely.  Palliative treatments can involve decreasing the size of the tumor if it is causing obstructions, discomfort, or pain.  Palliative treatment may be necessary when curative options are limited or ineffective.   The ability to fully cure cancer can be hampered by the possibility of metastasis, cancers that are treatment-resistant, or late detection leading to advanced cancer stages.  In addition to curative and palliative, a third-term, ‘life-extending treatment’ is also used, which aims to prolong life, when a cure without recurrence is unlikely.

Over the next several pages, the various types of cancer treatments listed above and their mechanisms of action and delivery will be explored.  Treatment often involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and other therapies to eliminate cancerous cells.  

Complimentary Treatments

At the same time as cancer treatment occurs to remove the cancer, supportive and complimentary treatments are typically put in place to ensure optimal success.  For example, providing nutrition, counselling and support groups as well as any required physiotherapy, and speech therapy will be set up or encouraged by the health care team.