Types of treatment

treatments

There are a number of ways of treating cancer, these can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, biological therapy and active surveillance (monitoring and observing any changes that may occur).

If the cancer has not spread and is confined to one area of the body, an operation can be undertaken to remove the tumour. 

An operation can also be undertaken to remove lymph nodes if they are also affected by cancer. 

The area of the body affected by cancer, the size and position of the tumour will determine the type of operation carried out. 

radiotherapy

This is the use of high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells.

The treatment is aimed directly at the affected area of the body.

chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Some chemotherapy can be given in tablet form but the vast majority have to be given directly into the vein through a drip.

Some are given as tablets or capsules but most are given by drip (infusion) into a vein.

hormonal therapy

Hormonal therapies work by altering the levels of specific hormones in the body.

Some cancers depend on particular hormones to divide and grow.

By altering the level of hormones in the body, or blocking the hormones from attaching to the cancer cells the cancer can be controlled.

biological therapy

Some cancers can be destroyed by using biological substances that occur naturally in the body.  

There are a number of different biological therapies, including: monoclonal antibodies, cancer growth.

active surveillance

Some types of cancer cause no problems for many years and grow very slowly. 

Sometimes your doctor will monitor you closely so that if the cancer does start to grow you can be provided with additional treatment at that time.

If you are worried about cancer, please call our Freephone Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 1010