Cancer is a disease that has one of the highest mortality rates, but all types of cancer are not fatal. Most types of this disease can be successfully treated if diagnosed in the early stages, and there are several treatment options for this. Read on to know more about the different treatment options for cancer.

Surgery
One of the first treatment options recommended for cancer patients is surgery, and it is especially useful if cancer is in the initial stages. Surgery is performed to remove cancerous tissues. The cancerous tumor and any other nearby tissues that have become cancerous would be removed through surgery.

It can be curative to remove the cancerous cells, and removing any precancerous cells that could potentially grow into a tumor is a preventive measure. In advanced cases, surgery may be done as a palliative measure to alleviate the symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life.

Chemotherapy
Another common treatment option for cancer, chemotherapy involves the use of strong medications to destroy cancerous cells. It may be used as a standalone option to treat cancer or may be used in combination with other options.

The medications are usually given through an injection or IV in chemotherapy. They may also be administered orally. Chemotherapy is highly effective in most cases, but it can also lead to severe side effects.

Radiation therapy
This treatment method uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. X-rays or protons are used to destroy tumors, and the radiation is focused on the tumor to prevent damage to other tissues. Radiation therapy is done over multiple sessions, and it can be done using an external machine that delivers the beams. In some cases, it can be delivered internally, wherein radioactive material is injected into the site of cancer so that it slowly releases radiation to destroy the tissues. Radiation therapy can also cause side effects.

Immunotherapy
Also known as biological therapy, this treatment method focuses on using the body’s immune system to fight cancer. The way cancer cells develop prevents the immune system from destroying them. Immunotherapy ensures that the cancer cells are marked so that the immune system can destroy them.

Stem cell transplant
Also called a bone marrow transplant, this treatment can help treat certain types of cancer. Stem cells are harvested from the body or from a donor and reintroduced into the patient’s body after destroying the existing cancer cells. This allows new healthy cells to grow.

Ablation
This treatment uses radiofrequency or cold gas (cryoablation) to kill cancerous cells. A needle is inserted and radiofrequency or freezing gas is targeted at the tumor to destroy it.

Hormone therapy
Hormones that help the cancer cells grow are removed from the body in this treatment method. This ensures the death of cancer cells.

Depending on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease, one or more of the various treatment options for cancer are used. If diagnosed early, cancer can be cured easily.