There are various approaches to treating cancer, many of which involve combinations of therapies to provide the most effective treatment.
Your doctor should discuss treatment options with you and explain the benefits and risks involved. Following is an overview of some cancer treatments. For information about treating specific cancers see Cancer types.
Surgery
It will also relieve discomfort from tumours that are obstructing organs or causing bleeding. Surgery is often used in combination with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy to make sure that any cancer cells remaining in the body are removed.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy (also called radiation therapy or x-ray therapy) uses high energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or impede their growth. It is commonly delivered externally, through the skin. However, it can be administered internally (brachytherapy) with the placement of small sources of radioactive material in or near the cancer. Radiotherapy is used:
- as a curative treatment, often in association with other approaches
- to relieve pain and discomfort associated with incurable disease.
See our understanding radiotherapy fact sheet
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is almost always used in combination with other treatments; it is not curative for most solid cancers when used alone.
Many cancers rely on particular hormones to be able to grow. These cancers can often be controlled by drugs that suppress the body's hormone production or block the effect of the hormone on tumour cells.
See our understanding chemotherapy fact sheet
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy can also involve the surgical removal of hormone producing glands to control cancer growth. These treatments are commonly used for prostate, breast and uterine cancers.