Operation
In most cases, the surgeon removes the tumor and some surrounding tissue.
Removing nearby tissue can help prevent tumors from growing back. The surgeon
may also remove some nearby lymph nodes.
Side effects of surgery depend mainly on the size and location of tumor, and type of operation. It takes time to heal after surgery. The time needed to recover is different for each type of operation. It is also different for each person. It is common to feel tired or weak for a while.
Most people are not comfortable for the first few days after surgery. However, medications can help control pain. Before surgery, you should discuss a plan for pain relief with your doctor or nurse. The doctor can adjust the plan if you need more pain relief.
Some people worry that having surgery (or biopsy) for the cancer will spread the disease. This is rare. The surgeon uses special methods and take many steps to prevent the spread of cancer cells. For example, if they have to lift a network of more than one area, they use different tools for each. This approach helps reduce the chance that cancer cells will spread to healthy tissue.
Similarly, some people worry that exposing cancer to air during surgery will cause disease to spread. This is not true. The air does not make cancer spread.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill
cancer cells. Doctors use several types
of radiation therapy. Some people receive a combination of treatments:
• External radiation: the radiation comes from a large machine outside the body. Most people go to a hospital or clinic for treatment 5 days a week for several weeks.
• Internal radiation (implant radiation or brachytherapy) radiation comes from radioactive material placed in seeds, needles, or thin plastic tube that is inserted into or near the network. Patients usually stay in the hospital. Implants generally remain in place for several days.
• Systemic radiation: the radiation comes from a liquid or capsule containing radioactive material moves through the body. The patient swallows a capsule or liquid or receiving injections. This type of radiation therapy can be used to treat cancer or control pain from cancer that has spread to the bone. Only some types of cancer are currently treated in this way.
Side effects from radiation therapy depend mainly on the dose and type of radiation you receive and your body parts are treated. For example, radiation to your abdomen can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your skin in the treated area may become red, dry, and soft. You also may lose hair in the treated area.
You may become very tired during radiation therapy, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise patients to try to stay as active as they can.
Fortunately, most side effects disappear in time. In the meantime, there are ways to reduce discomfort. If you have very severe side effects, your doctor may suggest a break in your care.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells. Most patients receive chemotherapy by mouth or by vein.
Either way, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can affect cancer cells
throughout the body.
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. People receiving treatment for a day or more. Then they have a recovery period of several days or weeks before the next treatment session.
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. People receiving treatment for a day or more. Then they have a recovery period of several days or weeks before the next treatment session.
Most people have their treatment at the hospital outpatient, physician office, or at home. Some may need to stay in the hospital for chemotherapy.
Side effects depend mainly on the particular drug and dose. The drugs affect cancer cells and other cells that divide rapidly:
• Blood cells: When drugs damage blood cells are healthy, you are more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak and tired.
• Cells in hair roots: Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. Hair will grow back, but maybe a little different in color and texture.
• Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy can cause poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores.
Some medications can affect fertility. Women may not be able to become pregnant, and men may not be able to father a child.
Although side effects from chemotherapy can be sad, some of them are temporary. Doctors can usually treat or control them.
Hormone Therapy
Some cancers need hormones to grow. Hormone
therapy keeps cancer cells from getting or using the hormones they need.
This is a systemic therapy.
Hormone therapy uses drugs or surgery:
• Medication: Doctors give drugs that stop the production of certain hormones
or preventing the hormone from working.
• Surgery: The surgeon removes organs (such as the ovaries or testicles) that make hormones.
Side effects of hormone therapy depends on the type of therapy. They include weight gain, hot flashes, nausea, and changes in fertility. In women, hormone therapy may make menstrual periods stop or become irregular and may cause vaginal dryness. In men, hormone therapy can cause impotence, loss of sexual desire, and breast growth or tenderness.
Biological Therapy
Biological therapy is another type
of systemic therapy. It helps the immune system (body's natural defense system)
against cancer. For example, certain patients with bladder cancer receive BCG
solution after surgery. Doctors use a catheter to place the solution in the
bladder. The solution contains live, weakened bacteria that stimulate the
immune system to kill cancer cells. BCG can cause side effects. It can irritate
the bladder. Some people may experience nausea, mild fever, or chills.
Most other types of biological therapy is given through a vein. Biological therapy travels through the bloodstream. Some people develop a rash where the therapy is injected. Some have flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, weakness, and nausea. Biological therapy can also cause more serious side effects, such as changes in blood pressure and breathing problems. Biological therapy is usually administered in a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital.
Transplantation of Stem your
Blood-forming stem cell transplantation allows patients to receive high-dose
chemotherapy, radiation, or both. The high doses destroy the cancer cells as
well as normal blood cells in bone marrow. After treatment, the patient
receives healthy blood-forming stem cells through a flexible tube placed in
large blood vessels. New blood cells develop from stem cells are transplanted.
Stem cells can be taken from patients prior to treatment with high doses, or
they may come from others. Patients stayed in hospital for this treatment.
Side effects of high dose therapy and stem cell transplantation include infection and bleeding. In addition, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can occur in people who received stem cells from a donor. In GVHD, stem cells attack the patient's tissues donated. Most often, GVHD affects the liver, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. GVHD can be severe or even fatal. This can happen at any time after the transplant, even years later. Medications can help prevent, treat, or control GVHD.
