Types of Cancer Treatments

There are several different types of treatments for cancer.  Depending on the type of cancer you have and the stage your cancer is in, some treatments may be more effective than other ones.  Along with effectiveness, you need to take into consideration the side effects each of these treatments may cause.

• Chemotherapy is by far the most known treatment of cancer.  With there being over 50 different types of cancer fighting drugs out on the market, you can either receive your medication orally or by a drip into your veins.  Chemotherapy has several side effects including constipation, dehydration, fatigue and loss of appetite.


• Radiotherapy destroys the cancer cells.  Your doctor will use high energy X rays that will focus on the affected part of the body and will cause little to no damage to your healthy cells.  Radiotherapy has several side effects including tiredness and loss of appetite.


• Surgery is only done if the cancer has not spread and it is only in one certain part of the body.  Typically patients with a known tumor will receive surgery, where the tumor will be removed from the particular part of the body.  Surgery can be devastating to the body and will include side effects such as tiredness, loss of appetite, grogginess, constipation, pain and bleeding.


• Hormonal therapy is the process in which your body's hormones will be altered so they cannot connect to the cancerous cells in the body.  By doing this the cancer can be controlled.  The side effects of hormonal therapy include nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite and impotence.