Excision is the surgical removal of the cancerous tumour in the patient’s body. When the cancer is localised in only one organ, excision can be the main form of treatment. Sometimes, the tumour may be too big and need other forms of treatment to first shrink it before it is surgically removed.
Chemotherapy
This is one of the more common cancer treatments. By using drugs designed to destroy cancer cells, chemotherapy may be used as the only treatment option if the tumour is small and localised. It can also be used to shrink the existing tumour before it is surgically removed, or it can be used after excision to ensure that any remaining cancer cells are destroyed.
Radiation Therapy
By using concentrated high-energy radiation, radiation therapy can be used to shrink tumours and kill cancer cells. Depending on the cancer, radiation therapy may be delivered externally using a machine that emits a beam of radiation, or internally through the placement of radioactive material near the cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often used together with chemotherapy, and can be used to manage the cancer before and after surgical removal.
Personalised Treatment for Every Cancer Patient
While the above are the main types of cancer treatment, there can be a lot of variety in how they are used, eg. chemotherapy can come in the form of different drugs that are suitable for different situations. Some patients may need a specific mix of chemotherapy drugs to manage their condition.
While the information we have about cancer continues to grow, every cancer behaves differently, and there is no single method to treat all types of cancer. The speed that cancer develops and spreads is different in every patient, and some may experience more severe side effects to certain chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy methods.
With that in mind, it is important to seek a healthcare provider who can provide customised care for your specific condition. Every patient reacts differently to cancer and treatment. An experienced oncologist (cancer specialist) who pays close attention to your condition and adjusts your treatment accordingly will be better than one who prescribes the same type of treatment for patients with similar cancers.
Choosing the Specialist on Your Side
The journey towards recovery can sometimes take months or years before all traces of cancer are destroyed. In addition, cancer patients need regular check-ups to guard against the cancer recurrence. A dedicated oncologist on your side can help with managing your cancer and treatment.
An experienced oncologist can be important to your recovery. The cancer’s development and its treatment can be very different between patients. An oncologist who has experience managing the cancer’s different developments is better equipped to manage its treatment.
Choosing Your Hospital
Oncologists often specialise in either the medical aspect of cancer treatment (including chemotherapy), or the radiation therapy aspect to treat cancer. When it is necessary to surgically remove a cancerous tumour, your oncologist will work with a surgeon who has an expertise in the affected organ or body part. Many cases of cancer treatment need the use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to balance each other to achieve ideal clinical results. When choosing your healthcare provider for cancer treatment, be sure to consider if there is an established network of oncologists and surgeons who can work closely to put together a well-rounded approach for your treatment.
Gleneagles Hospital is home to an extensive team of oncologists and surgeons who are experienced in cooperating with each other to provide a complete approach towards cancer treatment. Whether your condition needs chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination these approaches, our hospital's doctors can customise a course of treatment to help you achieve ideal clinical results. Together with the hospital's nursing staff and various allied health professionals, Gleneagles Hospital is committed to taking care of your well-being and help you throughout your cancer journey, with professional counsellors who can provide emotional support during this difficult journey, and qualified dietitians who can help you with your nutrition and wellness.