The most common treatment for cancer is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery is used to remove the cancerous tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
In some cases, doctors may recommend a combination of treatments to best treat the cancer. For example, a patient may need surgery to remove a tumor, followed by radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. In other cases, chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery or radiation therapy.
Depending on the stage and type of cancer, doctors may use other treatments as well. This may include hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. These treatments can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
In some cases, doctors may recommend a combination of treatments to best treat the cancer. For example, a patient may need surgery to remove a tumor, followed by radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. In other cases, chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery or radiation therapy.
No matter the treatment plan, doctors may also recommend lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, eating a healthier diet, and getting regular exercise. These lifestyle changes may help to improve a patient’s overall health and can help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.