Types Of Treatment For Cancer

Introduction

Researchers, medical experts and scientists are constantly searching for the best treatment cancer. There are several procedures and treatment that are available for this illness nowadays. However, these individuals are still searching for the best and most efficient solutions for this issue. The current treatments for cancer can produce negative after effects to the affected patients. Studies are still being conducted to minimize these side-effects from happening to the treated cancer patients.

Background

One of every two men and one in every three women are diagnosed with cancer every year. According to International Union Against Cancer, this deadly medical condition was able to claim more than 7 million lives during the year 2007. Cases of deaths caused by cancer are also increasing every year. Nearly 40% of premature deaths in adults are caused by cancer. Treatment cancer must be employed during the early signs of such ailment to prevent further complications.

Treatments and Its Effects

Common Treatments for Cancer

• Surgery is performed by health experts to remove the malignant tumors and cancerous cells in the patient’s body. This treatment cancer is very efficient in preventing cancers from spreading to the other parts of the body. This treatment procedure is usually combined with other treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy. There are severe cases of cancer that could not be treated by any means. The only way to alleviate the pain for such cases is to undergo palliative surgery. The main purpose of this surgical procedure is to lessen the discomfort and not to treat the cancer or prolong the patient’s life.
• Radiation therapy uses certain energy rays to obliterate cancer cells and shrink tumors in a targeted area. It involves disintegrating the DNA of the cancer cells that would prevent them from multiplying. Cancer cells are very sensitive to radiation and would die when they are exposed to radiation. The downside of this treatment is that it could damage the other nearby healthy cells as well. Patients that are resilient can fully recover from such loss. Radiation therapy can be in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery depending on the stage and severity of the cancer.
• Chemotherapy uses drugs to eradicate the cancer cells in the entire body. Unlike radiation and surgery, this treatment procedure would affect the entire body and not just the affected part. It targets all the multiplying cancer cells in the entire body. However, the other kinds of cells in the human body will also be affected by such treatment.

 

Negative Effects of These Treatments

These three treatments have restored the health of half of the patients that have developed cancer. As for the moment, these are the best procedures to treat such medical conditions. However, there are several side effects that can be attained by both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These procedures will damage both cancerous cells and healthy cells. The side effects of this treatment cancer involve nausea, hair loss and fatigue.

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