[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-40px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-25px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” custom_padding=”||8px||false|false” border_radii=”off|||1vw|1vw” border_width_bottom=”6px” border_color_bottom=”#0C71C3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
There exist seven different methods used to treat cancer. This includes Chemotherapy<\/strong>, Targeted therapy<\/strong>, Surgery<\/strong>, radiotherapy<\/strong>, Hormone therapy<\/strong>, immunotherapy<\/strong>, and clinical trials<\/strong>. Chemotherapy<\/strong><\/span> uses a chemical substance or drug to obstruct vital processes within the cell including DNA replication, protein synthesis, and metabolic pathways. Targeted therapy<\/span><\/strong> uses small molecules, antibodies, or both to target specific processes or molecules involved in carcinogenesis. Surgery<\/span><\/strong> involves removing precancerous or cancerous tissues, opening obstructions caused by cancer, repairing tissues damaged by cancer, support other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and to diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. Radiothepy<\/strong><\/span> uses high doses of ionizing radiations to kill cancer cell. Hormone therapy<\/span><\/strong> inhibit the production of hormones that promote cancer and block their action. Immunotherapy<\/span><\/strong> enhances or restore the immune system to better fight cancer cells. Immunotherapy also involves the use of cancer vaccines. Clinical trials<\/span><\/strong> makes uses of treatment options that are still being evaluated for future use. Amongst these treatment options, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy are commonly used.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Each treatment option comes with their own advantages and disadvantages or side effects. However, side effects depend on the individual; some people might get none, others few while some will have the whole hell loose on them. The same side effects can be mild in some but for others it can be very severe and might even lead to further complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”chemo1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Chemotherapy is a treatment method which uses a drug or chemical substance to target rapidly dividing cells by obstructing several vital processes such as DNA replication, protein folding and unfolding, or obstruction of metabolic pathway. Chemotherapeutic (also called chemotherapy) drugs are not very specific to their target and hence usually attack normal cells as well. But because cancer cells divide more rapidly than normal cells, they will be killed faster than normal cells. A selectivity index (SI) is usually used to determine the effectiveness or potential of a chemotherapeutic drug. SI = 10 for example will mean the drug can kill 10 cancer cells before it will kill 1 normal cell. Therefore, the higher the selectivity index the better. Because normal cells are also attacked, chemotherapeutic drugs results to severe side effects or toxicity and can even cause death of the patient. Besides, different drugs have different side effects and no single drug results to all possible side effects. Therefore, it is good practice to always inquire from your doctor about the side effects of your drug. Note however that in chemotherapy, one or more drugs may be used simultaneously as judge suitable by your doctor. In addition to lack of specificity, other disadvantages of chemotherapy are that they are not active against all cancer types, will not always destroy all the cancer cells, and usually induce drug resistance to cell.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Side effects and complications commonly encountered during chemotherapy treatment include:<\/span><\/p>\n Chemotherapy may be used to achieve different aims or objectives during cancer treatment. This may be;<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”tathera1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Unlike chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapies are a class of drugs (small molecules, antibodies or a combination of both) which target specific processes or molecules involved in carcinogenesis and tumor growth. Because they are specific, more cancer cells are killed by far compared to normal cells and many of the side-effects observed with chemotherapy will be absent although severe side-effects have been observed in some cases. Targeted therapy is not widely used because targeted therapy is extremely expensive. Secondly the specific target of the targeted therapy could undergo mutation or the cancer can find a different way of surviving which does not depend on this target. Either case will render treatment completely useless. If target has changed, then unnecessary side effects are likely to be observed. It is therefore good for your doctor to ensure that the specific target of the drug you are receiving\u00a0 hasn\u2019t undergone mutation or alteration. Targets for targeted therapy could be a gene, protein or the tissue environment of the cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Side effects are also observed with targeted therapy although less compared with chemotherapy. \u00a0These include but not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n Most side effects associated with chemotherapy may also be observed in targeted therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”sgry1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Surgery is usually one of the first options for cancer treatment especially when the primary tumor is localized (still in its site of origin). The success of surgery in the treatment of cancer will depend on the type of cancer, its size, its stage, its distribution, and location. Other factors such as age, presence of other illnesses or physical fitness of patient also determines success outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n Surgery can be used in different ways during cancer and its treatment<\/span><\/p>\n Based on the surgeon\u2019s findings, a proper treatment plan will then be developed for the patient.<\/span><\/p>\n Cancer causes obstructions or blockage in certain parts of the body such as the intestines or bile duct. This can be associated with severe pain or pressure. Surgery in this case will help to open up such obstructions or to create a bypass around the blockage in order to relieve symptoms and hence improve your quality of life. Such surgeries are not meant to cure the cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n Here the surgeon provides direct access to a blood vessel to facilitate blood sampling or other treatments such as chemotherapy and antibiotics. Direct access may involve the placement of a central venous catheter.<\/span><\/p>\n Cancer can cause obstructions or blockages in certain organs therefore impair their functions. For people who have difficulties eating or drinking for example, the surgeon will create an opening through the abdominal wall into the stomach and place a tube directly there. An opening through the neck into the trachea may also be done to aid breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n This can take several forms<\/span><\/p>\n Complete removal of the cancer cells:<\/strong> Surgery becomes very effective when the tumor is still localized and at its early stage. However, surgery may also be used to treat metastatic cancer (cancer that has started to spread from where it all started). In a typical surgery procedure, the surgeon will also remove a certain quantity of normal tissues in the vicinity of the cancer (usually called the surgical margin). Lymph nodes in the vicinity of the cancer that are infected with cancer cells are also removed completely. A radical surgery can result even to the removal of an entire organ. All these is done make sure no cancer cells are left behind or will have the capacity to spread to other parts of the body. It also decreases the chances of reoccurrence.<\/span> Tissues damaged by cancer, or its treatment are usually repaired through surgery. It is called reconstructive or plastic surgery and will help the body to regain its appearance or function before it was infected with cancer. It may be done immediately or at a later stage following treatment. It uses either the patient\u2019s own tissues or materials called silicon.<\/span><\/p>\n Tow types of cancer surgery; open surgery, or less invasive surgery. In open surgery, the surgeon makes one large cut through the body to remove the cancer. In less invasive approaches however, the surgeon makes small cuts or incision through the body. Such an approach speeds up recovery and decreases side effects or damage that might arise. Examples of less invasive surgeries include laparoscopic surgery, laser surgery, and cryosurgery.<\/span><\/p>\n Surgery may not be useful under the following circumstances:<\/span><\/p>\n The nature and extent of the side effects will vary from person to person based on the person\u2019s general health, type of surgery performed, the type and location of the cancer and other forms of treatment patient has undergone before surgery.\u00a0 Common side effects however will involve the following:<\/span><\/p>\nTable of Content<\/h2>\n
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Chemotherapy<\/h2>\n
Side effects and complications of chemotherapy\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Aim of Chemotherapy<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Targeted (or Molecular Targeted) Therapy<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Uses and limitations of targeted therapy in cancer treatment<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Side Effects of Targeted Therapy<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Surgery<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Surgery is used to Treat Cancer<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/strong>Here the surgeon searches for precancerous conditions in tissues. Tissues with high probability or risk of developing into cancer are carefully removed. This is usually the case with people having genetic predisposition to cancer such as an inherited disease or people with certain infections. Very large amounts of tissues or even an entire organ can be removed if necessary to prevent cancer.<\/span><\/li>\n
<\/strong>Here a surgeon extracts a cell or tissue sample from the patient\u2019s body and studies it under a microscope. From the studies, he\/she can determine the following:<\/span>\n\n
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To reduce the size of the cancers (cytoreductive surgery):<\/strong> Some tumors are too big and can\u2019t be completely removed through surgery or their complete removal through surgery might cause more harm than good. Here, the surgeon will aim at removing as much of the cancerous cells as possible. This will precede and help to increase the effectiveness of other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.<\/span>
Combination therapy:<\/strong> To lower the risk of reoccurrence and increase treatment outcome, surgery is usually undertaken with other forms of therapy. In neoadjuvant therapy, chemotherapy and\/or radiotherapy is used to shrink the tumor so that surgery can be easier. In adjuvant therapy however, chemotherapy and\/or radiotherapy is given after surgery to destroy any cancer cell that was left behind or too small to be seen and to kill any cancer cell which might have spread to other body parts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
When is surgery not used in cancer treatment?<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Side effects of surgery<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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