The short answer
There are many types of cancer treatment, and most people have a combination rather than just one. The treatments you receive depend on your type of cancer and how advanced it is. Testing the tumor and asking questions help you and your team build the right plan.
There are many types of cancer treatment, and most people have a combination of them.
The treatments you receive depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is.
Treatments can be combined, such as surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Some treatments are given before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after surgery (adjuvant).
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The full explanation.
The simple version
There are many types of cancer treatment. Some people with cancer have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The types of treatment that you receive depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is.
Most cancer treatment plans use a combination of treatments chosen for your specific cancer.
The factors that shape your plan
Your plan is built around your situation. The main factors are the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Other things matter too. For chemotherapy, for example, the treatment you need depends on the type of cancer, whether it has spread and where, and whether you have other health problems.
Because these factors differ from person to person, two people with the same kind of cancer may have different treatment plans.
Why treatments are combined
For some people, one treatment is enough. But most often, treatments are used together so they can work as a team.
Chemotherapy is a good example of how combinations work. When used with other treatments, chemotherapy can:
- make a tumor smaller before surgery or radiation therapy
- destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery or radiation therapy
- help other treatments work better
- kill cancer cells that have returned or spread
The same idea applies to surgery, which is often paired with other treatments, and to radiation therapy.
Before or after: neoadjuvant and adjuvant
Timing is part of the plan. Some treatments are given before the main treatment, and some after.
- Neoadjuvant treatment is given first — for example, chemotherapy to shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation.
- Adjuvant treatment is given afterward — for example, chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery or radiation.
During surgery, the surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes or tissues to check under a microscope whether the cancer has spread. Knowing this helps your doctors suggest the best treatment plan after surgery.
How testing helps choose treatment
Sometimes the choice of treatment depends on what is inside the tumor. Biomarker testing checks your cancer for specific targets, which may help you and your doctor choose a treatment.
This is especially important for targeted therapy. For some cancers, most people will have a target for a certain drug. But most of the time, your tumor needs to be tested to see if it contains a target for which there is a drug. This kind of testing is the foundation of precision medicine.
Taking part in the plan
You do not have to be a passive part of this process. Learning about your options helps you talk with your team and make decisions together.
A helpful step is to bring questions to your appointments. You might ask about the goal of each treatment — whether it is meant to cure the cancer, control its growth, or ease symptoms — as well as the benefits, the possible side effects, and what to expect day to day. Your care team is there to walk you through the plan and answer your questions.
The clearer you are about the goal and steps of each treatment, the more confident you can feel about your plan.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸Will I have just one treatment?
Maybe, but most people have a combination of treatments. Some people with cancer have only one treatment, but most have a combination, such as surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The types you receive depend on your type of cancer and how advanced it is.
▸What decides which treatments I get?
The types of treatment you receive depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Other factors matter too, such as whether the cancer has spread and where, and whether you have other health problems.
▸Why are treatments combined?
Treatments are often combined to work together. For example, chemotherapy can make a tumor smaller before surgery or radiation, destroy cancer cells that may remain afterward, or help other treatments work better.
▸What is neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment?
Neoadjuvant treatment is given before the main treatment, such as chemotherapy to shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation. Adjuvant treatment is given after, such as chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery or radiation.
▸How does testing help plan treatment?
Biomarker testing checks your cancer for specific targets, which may help you and your doctor choose a treatment. For some treatments, such as targeted therapy, your tumor often needs to be tested to see if it has a target that a drug can act on.
▸How can I take part in planning my treatment?
You can ask your care team questions about your options. A list of questions to ask your doctor about treatment can help you talk with your team and learn more about your choices, including the goal of each treatment and what to expect.
Questions to ask your doctor
Being prepared helps you get the most out of your appointments. Save or print these questions.
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