Table of Contents
How is cancer treated or managed?
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy. Clinical trials might also be an option for you.
Can cancer be managed?
Other extended treatment options may include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy. Your doctor may also suggest a clinical trial that is studying an extended treatment. Learn more about the different cancer treatments.
Is cancer treatment necessary?
You don’t have to have treatment. People with very advanced cancers sometimes find they’d rather treat the pain and other side effects of their cancer so that they can make the best of the time they have remaining. If you choose not to be treated, you can always change your mind.
What is 5 year relative survival rate?
The measure ‘5-year relative survival at diagnosis’ is defined as the ratio of the proportion of people who are alive for 5 years after their diagnosis of cancer (observed survival), to the proportion of people in the general population alive over the same time interval (expected survival).
Should I have chemo or not?
Your doctor might suggest chemotherapy if there is a chance that your cancer might spread in the future. Or if it has already spread. Sometimes cancer cells break away from a tumour. They may travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
When do doctors decide to stop chemo?
What the experts recommend. Cancer treatment is at its most effective the first time that it’s used. If you’ve undergone three or more chemotherapy treatments for your cancer and the tumors continue to grow or spread, it may be time for you to consider stopping chemotherapy.
How is cancer currently treated?
The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Other options include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, laser, hormonal therapy, and others. Here is an overview of the different treatments for cancer and how they work. Surgery is a common treatment for many types of cancer.