A cancer diagnosis can change everything. From that moment onwards, cancer patients and their families will enter a world with unfamiliar terms, difficult decisions, and intense emotions. Among those decisions will be what cancer treatment is best for you and your type of cancer. Knowing the difference between some of the most common treatments can help patients and their families approach treatment with more confidence and clarity.
This article helps break down the different types of treatments and their side effects, who they might be suitable for and how they are used in cancer care.
Treatment options
Chemotherapy treatment: The traditional backbone of cancer treatment
Chemotherapy, often referred to as “chemo”, is one of the most well-known cancer treatments. It involves using drugs that kill the developing cells, as cancer cells grow and divide more quickly than normal cells.
Chemotherapy can be used in different ways for different types of cancers:
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Curative: singularly used to kill the cancer cells
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Adjuvant: used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells
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Neoadjuvant: before surgery to shrink tumours
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Palliative: used to ease symptoms and improve quality of life in advanced stages
Side effects: because chemotherapy affects all rapidly dividing cells, and not just the cancer cells, it can cause some side effects such as fatigue, hair loss, nausea, and increased risk of infections. However, due to advancements in supportive medications and dosing, there have been more cases of chemotherapy being more tolerable than in the past. The types of cancer that will most likely use chemotherapy as a treatment will be cancers that are fast growing, or have spread. These can include breast cancer, lung cancer, leukemia or testicular cancer, which are all responsive to chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy: Harnessing the body’s natural immune system
In recent years, immunotherapy has become revolutionary in treating cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, which directly kills the cancer cells, immunotherapy works by enhancing or stimulating the body's natural immune system to recognise and fight the cancer cells themselves.
There are different types of immunotherapy:
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Checkpoint inhibitors: these are drugs that remove the “brakes” from immune cells, which allows them to then attack the cancer cells more effectively.
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CAR T-cell therapy: this means modifying the patients own T-cells to better recognise and destroy the cancer cells.
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Monoclonal antibodies: lab-made proteins are made to target specific cancer antigens.
Immunotherapy has shown promising results, especially in melanoma, lung cancer, and some blood cancers. However, it is not suitable for all cancer types, and not all patients respond in the same way.
Side effects: studies suggest some side effects might include inflammation of healthy organs (autoimmune responses), flu-like symptoms and fatigue.
If you would like to know more, read our immunotherapy article that goes more in depth on this treatment.
Hormonal therapy: Targeting hormone-sensitive cancers
Hormonal therapy (also known as endocrine therapy) is used to treat cancers that depend on hormones to grow, which includes breast and prostate cancer. This treatment works by:
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Blocking the body's ability to produce some hormones
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Interfering with how hormones act in the body naturally
For example, in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, drugs like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors are used to block estrogen, which can fuel the tumour to grow. Similarly, prostate cancer can be treated with medications that block testosterone.
Hormonal therapy can be oral or through injections and is usually administered over a longer period than other treatments, especially after surgery or other treatments, to reduce recurrence risk.
Side effects: these can include mood changes, bone thinning, hot flushes, decreased libido - all depending on the hormone involved.
Choosing the right cancer treatment for you
Every cancer diagnosis is unique, and therefore so is every treatment plan. Our oncologists consider several factors when recommending chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, or a combination. These factors include:
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Cancer type and stage
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Patient health, age and treatment goals
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Genetic and molecular markers
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Patient choices
Sometimes treatments can be combined to increase the effectiveness. For example, chemotherapy might be paired with immunotherapy for better results in lung cancer. Or hormonal therapy might follow surgery in early-stage breast cancer.
Supporting our patients
Understanding the science behind cancer treatment is important, but so is addressing and considering the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients. Side effects, anxiety, and the disruption of daily life can take a toll. At Harbour Cancer & Wellness, we emphasise a holistic approach, which may integrate:
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Physiotherapy and exercise programs
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Psychological counseling
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Dietitian-prescribed nutritional support
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Massage and acupuncture
There is evidence that holistic cancer care not only help manage side-effects, but can improve clinical outcomes.
It’s important that you get a say in whatever treatment you receive and that you are comfortable the whole way through your cancer treatment with us.
Final thoughts
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy each play a vital role in modern cancer treatment. While they differ in how they work, they all share a common goal to improve survival, enhance quality of life, and relieve symptoms of people with cancer.
If you or a loved one is facing cancer, the path ahead may be complicated, but understanding your treatment options is a powerful step. Talk openly with your oncology team, ask them any questions you may have, and explore all the resources that are available to you.
For more information on any of the treatments mentioned, please contact us today.
