Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. There are over 50 different kinds of chemotherapy drugs. If several drugs are given at once the treatment is called combination chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy drugs specifically target and destroy cells that divide, such as cancer cells. The drugs travel through the bloodstream, affecting cancer cells all over the body.

Unfortunately they also affect other cells, particularly those that divide regularly such as hair follicles and those in the lining of the mouth, digestive system and bone marrow. This results in side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, hair loss and an increased chance of developing infections.

Chemotherapy treatment is designed to destroy as many cancer cells as possible whilst doing as little damage as possible to healthy cells. The healthy cells that are affected will be able to repair themselves over time. Further information can be found on the Cancerbackup website.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is the use of X-rays or similar rays to destroy cancer cells and tumours. It may be given before or after surgery or chemotherapy, or possibly at the same time as chemotherapy, if so this is called chemoradiotherapy.

Radiotherapy can be given to people with terminal cancer to reduce the size of a tumour and thus help to relieve any pain that they may be feeling. The aim is to give the maximum dose of radiation to the tumour and the minimum to the healthy tissue around it.

Surgery

Surgery is frequently used to remove all or part of a tumour and cancerous cells. It is also used to help diagnose the stage of cancer.

Biopsies - a type of surgery - involve the removal of a small amount of tissue to help diagnose whether cancer is present and if so, what type of cancer it is.

Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is often used to treat any cancerous cells that may remain after the surgery.

Surgery can also be used to help reconstruct parts of the body that have been affected by cancer such as a breast or the bladder or colon.

Hormonal therapy and other drug treatments

Hormones are chemical messengers that carry instructions to cells around the body. Artificial hormones can be used to send instructions to stop growing to cancerous cells . This treatment is mainly used for breast and prostate cancer.

There are a number of other drug treatments in use and in development. They are designed to do a wide range of things such as reducing the blood supply to tumours or blocking the ability of cancer cells to multiply.

Palliative care

People who have been diagnosed with cancer may also be offered palliative care, especially if the cancer is at an advanced stage and other treatment is not possible. Palliative care is provided by a team of professionals and aims to improve quality of life. The idea is to prevent and relieve suffering by identifying, assessing and treating pain and other problems. Palliative care:

• intends neither to hasten or postpone death;
• affirms life and regards dying as a normal process;
• offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death;
• offers a support system to help the family cope during the patients illness and in their own bereavement;
• uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if needed;
• integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care.

A member of the palliative care team might offer advice on managing physical symptoms such as breathlessness, nausea and loss of appetite. Or they could help patients and family members to understand their feelings. They can also help with practicalities like arranging care at home.

Palliative care services should be available to all patients, if and when they need them. Ask your doctor for more details.