CANCER TREATMENTS
TYPES OF TREATMENT
MECHANISM OF CHEMOTHERAPY
The medications that interfere with a cell’s ability to divide. Cancer cells are generally rapidly dividing cells.
Side effects on the body are normally rapidly dividing cells such as skin, hair, nails, GI tract.
Examples:
- Taxol
- Cisplatinum
- 5-Fluoruracil
MECHANISM OF HORMONAL THERAPY
Some cancers grow because the body’s natural hormones such as estrogen or testosterone stimulate growth
Examples: Medications that block hormone receptors
- Tamoxifen
- Arimidex
- Luprolide
- Goserelin
MECHANISM OF TARGETED THERAPY
Targeted therapies are molecules often proteins or antibodies that bind to cancer cells to interfere with the growth or spread of the cancer cell.
Examples:
- Avastin
- Rituximab
- Herceptin
MECHANISM OF IMMUNOTHERAPY
These drugs stimulate a patient’s own immune system to find and eradicate cancer cells
Examples:
- Ipilumimab
- Pembrolizumab
MECHANISM OF
RADIATION THERAPY
There are two types of radiation, External and internal.
Radiation kills cancer cells by damaging the DNA and that leads to cell death
Examples:
- Prostate seeds
- External Beam
- IMRT
MECHANISM OF SURGERY
- Removal of the tumor
- Removal of the Metastases
- Palliation of symptoms of bowel obstruction
- Placement of Feeding Tubes, Mediports
Surgery is a local therapy that is performed usually first but sometimes after chemotherapy/or radiation
Side effects from Treatment to:
Hair, nails, mouth dryness, changes in taste, sores, skin.
Cancer treatments can radically change the way you look, which alters the way you feel...
Most patients want to feel “NORMAL.” Many patients are afraid to bring it up because it is a “vanity” item and I am lucky to be alive. Oncology self-care contributes to your sense of wellbeing and self-esteem allowing you to have a positive outlook.
“When I began my fight with cancer, I had no idea about the shift that would take place from the inside to the outside of my body. Flaky dry dehydrated skin, skin discoloration, black toenails, nail thinning, and hair thinning amongst other things.”………………. “I went to the salon, the beauty counter, the nail place, and no one had any idea what to do with my problems. And no one wanted anything to do with cancer patients” - Bridgett V.