Traditional treatments
How is chemotherapy administered?
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The medication is often given through an IV drip into a vein, but it can also be given as tablets or injections. In short: the medicine spreads through the body and attacks the cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells, which can lead to side effects. Read more under Treatments > Traditional.
What side effects does radiation therapy have?
Side effects of radiation therapy can vary depending on which part of the body is being treated. Some common side effects include: – Fatigue – Skin reactions – Nausea and vomiting – Hair loss – Mouth sores, throat pain, diarrhea, or constipation may also occur. The side effects are often temporary and subside when treatment is completed. Read more under Treatments/Traditional.
What is surgery for cancer?
Cancer surgery is an operation in which the cancerous tissue is removed from the body. It is often the first treatment offered and can be used on its own or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Read more under Treatments/Traditional.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that strengthens the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. It’s a bit like training the body’s soldiers to recognise and attack the enemy (the cancer cells). Read more under Treatments/Traditional.
What can I do about side effects from chemotherapy?
To manage side effects from chemotherapy, you can: – Ask your doctor for advice and medication (e.g., for nausea). – Eat small, frequent meals to help with nausea. – Get enough rest. – Avoid dehydration. – Use moisturiser, avoid harsh soaps and sunbathing. – Cool foods can reduce nausea and mouth sores. – Avoid strong smells that worsen nausea. – Stay physically and socially active. – Connect with others in the same situation. Read much more under the menu Life with Cancer/Minimise side effects.
Traditional cancer treatments – Overview
Cancer is a complex disease, and the traditional cancer treatments offered to each individual depend on a number of factors, including the type of cancer, its stage, the patient’s general health, and personal preferences.
However, there are a number of general treatment categories that can be used alone or in combination
Overview – breakdown:
1) Primary treatment types
2) Supportive treatments
3) Specific treatments and techniques
- 3.A Local treatment
- 3.B Systemic treatment
- 3.C Additional treatment
4) Special categories
1) Primary treatment types
Gene therapy (Read more)
This is a cancer treatment in which engineered genes are introduced into cancer cells, causing them to be killed. Alternatively, gene therapy can be used to repair genes that have been damaged by cancer.
Immunotherapy (Read more)
Immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells.
Chemotherapy (Read more)
Chemotherapy is medication that kills cancer cells throughout the body. It is often given intravenously, but can also be taken as tablets. Chemotherapy can be used to cure cancer, shrink tumours before surgery, or relieve symptoms.
Targeted cancer therapy (Read more)
Targeted cancer therapy is treatment with a type of medication that specifically targets molecular changes in cancer cells. The treatment prevents cancer cells from growing and surviving in a specific way. Targeted therapy can be used to cure cancer, shrink tumours, or relieve symptoms.
Targeted therapy also includes treatment with Enhertu, which can be used for HER2 cancer.
Neoadjuvant treatment (Read more)
Neoadjuvant treatment is medical treatment given before surgery to reduce a cancer tumour. This makes the operation less extensive and increases the chances of cure.
Surgery (Read more)
Surgery is the oldest and most common cancer treatment. It involves physically removing the cancer tumour and some of the surrounding healthy tissue. Surgery can be curative (removing all cancer) or palliative (relieving symptoms and improving quality of life).
Radiotherapy (Read more)
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered externally from a machine or internally by implanting radioactive materials in or near the tumour. Radiotherapy can be used to cure cancer, shrink tumours before surgery, or relieve symptoms.
Tumour Treating Fields (TTF) (Read more)
TTF is a non-invasive cancer treatment that uses electric fields to prevent cancer cells from dividing and thereby stop their growth.
Virus therapy (Read more)
Using viruses to kill cancer cells.
2) Supportive cancer treatments
Deep Oscillation (Read more)
A gentle, deep-acting treatment that uses vibrations to relieve late effects such as lymphoedema, scar tissue, and pain after cancer treatment.
Cosmetic correction (Read more)
can help restore a more normal appearance and improve quality of life. This may include breast reconstruction, scar removal, or skin grafts.
Minimise side effects – Chemo (Read more)
The page explains how to reduce side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, nerve pain, and hair loss.
Minimise side effects – Surgery (Read more)
The page covers methods to minimise discomfort after surgery, e.g., pain and scarring.
Minimise side effects – Radiotherapy (Read more)
The page describes how to reduce side effects of radiotherapy, such as skin irritation.
Nerve pain (Read more)
Treatment of nerve pain after cancer treatment depends on the cause and severity of the pain. It may include medication such as antidepressants or antiepileptics, physiotherapy, and alternative methods such as acupuncture.
Palliative care (Read more)
Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for people with cancer. It may include pain relief, nausea treatment, and psychological support. Palliative care can be provided alongside other cancer treatments. It is not necessarily a last resort.
Pain management (Read more)
Pain management is an important part of cancer care and focuses on relieving pain and improving quality of life. Methods may include medication, physiotherapy, psychological support, and alternative therapies.
Stem cell transplant (Read more)
A stem cell transplant is a procedure in which healthy stem cells are used to replace bone marrow that has been destroyed by cancer treatment. In other words, it is rebuilding the bone marrow—most often after other treatments.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (Read more)
Symptom-relieving treatment for certain radiation injuries in cancer patients.
Also promotes wound healing after cancer surgery. Used as follow-up treatment.
3) Specific cancer treatments and techniques
3.A Local treatment
CyberKnife (Read more)
An advanced form of radiotherapy that uses a robotic arm to deliver very precise doses of radiation directly to the tumour. This technology makes it possible to treat cancer tumours with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
Embolisation (Read more)
A procedure in which the blood vessels supplying a tumour are blocked to limit the blood supply.
Photodynamic therapy (Read more)
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an additional treatment for cancer. What it is and how it works. When it can be used. Pros and cons.
Histotripsy (Read more)
A new and promising treatment method that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound pulses to destroy diseased tissue, such as tumours.
Cryotherapy (Read more)
Here, cancer cells are frozen using very low temperatures. This causes the cells to be destroyed.
Magnetic hyperthermia (Read more)
A new experimental treatment in which nanoparticles heat up and destroy cancer cells from the inside. About the potential, the risks, and the status of this future technology.
NanoKnife (Read more)
A treatment that uses electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells. This method is minimally invasive and can be used to treat tumours that are difficult to reach with other treatment types.
SBRT (Stereotactic body radiotherapy) (Read more)
A highly precise form of radiotherapy that concentrates a high dose of radiation on a very small area, making it effective at destroying cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.
SIRT (Read more)
Insertion of radioactive isotopes into a liver cancer nodule, destroying it without damaging healthy tissue.
TACE – Transarterial chemoembolisation (Read more)
Specialised treatment for liver cancer. The chemotherapy kills cancer cells while the particles block the blood supply to the tumour.
Tumour Treating Fields (TTF) (Read more)
TTF is a non-invasive cancer treatment that uses electric fields to prevent cancer cells from dividing and thereby stop their growth.
Virus therapy (Read more)
Using viruses to kill cancer cells.
3.B Systemic treatment
CAR-T therapy (Read more)
A groundbreaking cancer treatment in which the patient’s own immune cells are modified to attack and destroy cancer cells. Read more)
Hormone therapy (Read more)
Using hormones to influence the growth of certain cancer types, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. This cancer treatment can block the production of hormones or prevent them from affecting cancer cells.
Letrozole (Read more)
Letrozole inhibits oestrogen production and slows the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer. In addition, letrozole blocks oestrogen receptors, preventing the hormone-sensitive cancer cells from dividing.
Tamoxifen (Read more)
Medication often used to treat hormone-sensitive cancer. Read more)
Zoledronic acid (Read more)
Zoledronic acid is a medication that strengthens bones and helps prevent bone problems. It is particularly relevant for people at increased risk of bone metastases, e.g., women with breast cancer. Often given in combination with letrozole.
3.C Additional treatment
Goldilocks breast reduction (Read more)
Goldilocks breast reduction is a technique that removes breast tissue but preserves skin and fat, resulting in a smaller breast. It is an alternative to mastectomy for women with breast cancer who want a smaller breast.
HIPEC treatment (Read more)
First, visible cancer tissue in the abdominal cavity is removed, after which the cavity is rinsed with heated chemotherapy. This combination of surgery and chemotherapy increases effectiveness against cancer cells, especially those that may be difficult to see.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (Read more)
Symptom-relieving treatment for certain radiation injuries in cancer patients.
Also promotes wound healing after cancer surgery. Used as follow-up treatment.
4) Special categories
Glioblastoma, alternative approach to cancer treatment (Read more)
Specific treatment for an aggressive brain tumour.
Experimental treatment (Read more)
Medical research that tests new treatments, methods, or medicines to improve cancer care. What it is. How to be considered.
Gene therapy (Read more)
This is a cancer treatment in which engineered genes are introduced into cancer cells, causing them to be killed. Alternatively, gene therapy can be used to repair genes that have been damaged by cancer.
This could, for example, be gene therapy where new genes are inserted into cells, or CRISPR-Cas9, where existing genes are edited.
Integrative oncology (Read more)
Combines conventional cancer treatment with evidence-based complementary methods to address the patient’s physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. The goal is to improve quality of life, reduce side effects, and potentially enhance the effect of traditional treatment. The borderland between conventional treatment and holistic treatment.
Port-a-Cath (Read more)
A catheter inserted under the skin to make it easier to administer medication.
5) Drug treatment
Anastrozole (Read more)
An aromatase inhibitor used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women by reducing the body’s oestrogen production.
Antimetabolites (Read more)
Including 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Methotrexate, Capecitabine, Xeloda, Cytarabine, Gemcitabine. Read more)
PARP inhibitors (Read more)
Including Olaparib, Lynparza, Rucaparib, Rubraca, Talazoparib, Talzenna, Niraparib, Lynparza, Zejula, Fluzoparib, PARP inhibitor. Read more
Enzalutamide (Xtandi) (Read more)
A medicine used to treat prostate cancer. It works by blocking the effect of testosterone, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
Angiogenesis inhibitors (Read more)
Including Aflibercept (Zaltrap), Axitinib (Inlyta), Bevacizumab (Avastin), Cabozantinib (Cabometyx), Lenalidomide (Revlimid), Pazopanib (Votrient), Ramucirumab (Cyramza), Sorafenib (Nexavar), Sunitinib (Sutent), Thalidomide (Thalomid)
Checkpoint inhibitors (Read more)
Including Atezolizumab, Durvalumab, Ipilimumab, Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab. A type of immunotherapy that blocks the immune system’s “brakes” so it can recognise and kill cancer cells more effectively.
Monoclonal antibodies (Read more)
Including Cetuximab, Panitumumab, Pertuzumab, Rituximab. Monoclonal antibodies are identical copies of a specific antibody designed to bind to a single antigen.
Platinum-based drugs (Read more)
Including Carboplatin, Cisplatin (Ebewe), Oxaliplatin. A group of chemotherapy drugs that contain platinum. They are used to treat various cancers by damaging the DNA of cancer cells and preventing them from dividing.
Tamoxifen (Read more)
An effective medicine frequently used to treat and prevent hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
Taxanes (Read more)
Including Paclitaxel, Docetaxel. Chemotherapy drugs that block cancer cell division by affecting microtubules, essential structures in the cell.
Trastuzumab (TDM1) (Read more)
Including Herceptin, Kadcyla. A targeted medicine that blocks the HER2 protein and is used to treat HER2-positive breast and stomach cancer.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Read more)
Including Crizotinib, Dasatinib, Erlotinib, Imatinib, Nilotinib, Sorafenib, Sunitinib. Medicines that block tyrosine kinase enzymes involved in cell growth and division.
See also Prognosis (Predict for Breast Cancer)
See also Minimise side effects after surgery
See also Side effects of chemo and radiotherapy, minimise
See also Evidence vs. Experience
Links
Kate is declared incurably ill – four months later she receives surprising news (Danish Cancer Society, 2024) (ProTarget experimental treatment)
National Trial Overview is a national overview of active clinical trials in Denmark (National Trial Overview, database, updated continuously)
Experimental treatment – Group for cancer patients and relatives who want to share knowledge and experiences about experimental treatment.(Danish Cancer Society, overview of articles)
Surprisingly many cancer survivors have severe symptoms and functional impairment – especially those with shorter education struggle(Dagens Medicin, 2023)
Page created:
d. 31/08/24, revised continuously
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