Cancer therapy
Cancer Therapy
Cancer therapy (pronunciation: /ˈkænsər ˈθɛrəpi/), also known as cancer treatment, refers to the use of various medical strategies to control the growth of cancer cells and to relieve the symptoms of the disease. The etymology of the term 'cancer' is derived from the Latin word 'cancer', meaning 'crab', due to the crab-like appearance of the cut surface of a solid malignant tumour. The term 'therapy' is derived from the Greek word 'therapeia', meaning 'healing'.
Types of Cancer Therapy
There are several types of cancer therapy, each with its own specific purpose and method of action. These include:
- Chemotherapy: This involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with other treatments.
- Radiation Therapy: This uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: This is a type of biological therapy that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.
- Hormone Therapy: This is a treatment that removes, blocks, or adds hormones to treat certain types of cancer.
- Surgery: This is used to remove the cancer from the body.
- Targeted Therapy: This uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Choosing a Cancer Therapy
The choice of cancer therapy depends on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and the potential side effects of the treatment. It is important for patients to discuss these factors with their oncologist to make an informed decision about their treatment plan.
Side Effects of Cancer Therapy
All forms of cancer therapy can cause side effects. These can range from mild to severe and may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and skin changes. It is important for patients to discuss potential side effects with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Future of Cancer Therapy
Research is ongoing to develop new and more effective cancer therapies. These include gene therapy, nanotechnology, and personalized medicine, which aim to tailor treatment to the individual patient's genetic makeup.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.