Cancer Treatments

There are over 200 different cancers and they may all be treated differently.

There are five main types of cancer treatment.  The techniques involved can be used individually or in any combination.

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Biological treatment

If a cancer is suspected various diagnostic tests are used (biopsies, scans, x-rays, blood tests etc).  The results are then discussed amongst the Cancer Multi-Disciplinary Team members.  A personalised treatment plan is devised. Treatments will be based on several different things:

• Age
• Health (past and present)
• Type of cancer
• Size of the tumour
• How quickly the cancer is growing
• Whether the cancer has spread
• What stage and grade the cancer is

Most importantly though, the treatment plan will be discussed with you, all the options will be explained and you will then be asked to sign a consent form to say that you understand the proposed treatment and agree to it being undertaken.

Some cancers may not be suitable for curative treatment.  However, when a cure cannot be achieved, patients may be offered palliative treatments which will aim to control the cancer for as long as possible whilst keeping them as well as possible.