Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Learn about the side effects from cancer treatment
SURGERY
Is an operation performed to remove or repair a part of the body, or to find out whether disease is present. For many types of cancer, surgery may be used to remove the tumor as well as other tissue that is suspected of containing cancer cells.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. But it can also harm healthy cells that divide quickly, such as red and white blood cells, cells that line the mouth and intestines and cells related to the growth of hair.
RADIATION
Radiation may come from a machine outside the body, or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body.
HORMONAL THERAPY
Some hormones encourage the growth of some cancers, such as breast and prostate. But, they may kill, slow or stop cancer cells from growing. Hormone therapy usually involves taking medications that prevent cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.
TARGETED THERAPY
The drugs known as targeted therapy help stop cancer from growing and spreading. These drugs work by targeting specific genes or proteins in the body. These genes and proteins are found in cancer cells or in cells related to cancer growth, like blood vessel cells.