Cancer Treatment | Types of treatments

Cancer Treatment | Types of treatments

This article has information about all the main cancer treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological therapies, bisphosphonates and bone marrow and stem cell transplants. There is also information about complementary and alternative therapies.

Many cancers can be cured. If you have advanced cancer and a cure's unlikely, palliative care can relieve symptoms, help you feel comfortable and live longer.
The most effective and efficient treatment programmes are those that: a) are provided in a sustained and equitable way; b) are linked to early detection; and c) adhere to evidence-based standards of care and a multidisciplinary approach.
Such programmes also ensure adequate therapy for cancer types that, although not amenable to early detection, have high potential for being cured (such as metastatic seminoma and acute lymphatic leukaemia in children), or have a good chance of prolonging survival in a significant way (such as breast cancer and advanced lymphomas).

What are the different kinds of cancer treatment?

The three most common types of cancer treatment are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Treatment is aimed at removing the cancer cells or destroying them with medicines or by other means.

Types of treatments:

Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapies
Immunotherapy
Hormonal therapy
Angiogenesis inhibitors