Question

Describe three standard therapies for cancer treatment. (pages \(457-59)\)

Short answer

Three standard therapies for cancer treatment include: 1. Surgery - This involves the removal of the tumor and possibly nearby affected tissues and lymph nodes. It is commonly used for solid tumors in a specific area, but may not be effective if the cancer has spread. 2. Radiation therapy - This treatment utilizes high-energy particles or waves, like x-rays or gamma rays, to damage or destroy cancer cells, either delivered externally or internally. This therapy aims to affect cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells, but may have side effects such as fatigue, skin irritation, and temporary hair loss. 3. Chemotherapy - Using drugs that target cancer cells throughout the body, this treatment is suitable for cancers that have spread or have a high risk of recurrence. However, it can also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue.

Step-by-step solution

1. Surgery

Surgery is one of the oldest and most common cancer treatments, where the primary goal is to remove the tumor and any nearby affected tissue. The surgeon may also remove surrounding lymph nodes to determine whether the cancer has spread. This method is typically used for solid tumors that are located in one specific area. The main drawback of surgery is that it may not be effective if the cancer has spread to multiple parts of the body.

2. Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays or gamma rays, to damage or destroy cancer cells. The radiation can be delivered externally, through a machine that directs the radiation at the tumor, or internally, through the placement of radioactive material near the tumor. The goal of radiation therapy is to damage cancer cells without harming nearby healthy cells. Some side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue, skin irritation, and temporary hair loss in the treated area.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. The drugs are typically administered either through an injection or orally in the form of a pill. Chemotherapy can target cancer cells throughout the body, which makes it a suitable option for treating cancers that have spread or have a high risk of recurrence. However, due to its systemic approach, chemotherapy also affects healthy cells, which can lead to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. By describing these three standard therapies for cancer treatment - surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy - the student should be able to demonstrate a general understanding of the various approaches used to treat cancer and their potential benefits and drawbacks.

Key concepts

Surgery

Surgery is a frontline treatment in the battle against cancer. It involves physically removing the tumor from the body, often along with some surrounding tissue. The primary aim is to eradicate cancerous cells from a localized area.

Surgery is particularly effective for solid tumors that haven't spread to other regions. During the procedure, a surgeon might also remove nearby lymph nodes. This is done to assess whether the cancer has begun to spread. Eliminating these nodes can also help prevent cancer from spreading further. The method can be very successful in treating early-stage cancers.

However, surgery is limited in its scope when dealing with advanced cancer. If cancer has metastasized, or spread to multiple areas, surgery alone might not be sufficient. Nevertheless, for many patients with localized cancer, surgery is a vital step toward recovery.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy stands as a powerful tool designed to destroy or damage cancer cells. It employs high-energy particles or waves — such as x-rays or gamma rays — targeting the DNA of cells.

This therapy can be delivered in two primary ways:

• External Radiation: Delivered via a machine that targets the beams at the tumor from outside the body.
• Internal Radiation: Involves placing radioactive material inside or near the tumor.

Targeted Approach: The precision of radiation therapy means it aims to affect cancer cells while sparing the healthy ones. The settings need to be meticulously calculated to minimize collateral damage.

Despite its effectiveness, patients may experience certain side effects, such as:

• Fatigue
• Skin irritation
• Temporary hair loss in the treated area

Radiation therapy's ability to target specific areas makes it a common choice, especially for tumors that cannot be targeted surgically or have a high likelihood of recurrence.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves using medicine to combat cancer at the cellular level. Unlike surgery and radiation therapy, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that can reach cancer cells throughout the body. This makes it an effective strategy for cancers that have spread or carry a high risk of metastasis.

Typically, the drugs used in chemotherapy stop cancer cells from dividing and growing, which can eventually lead to their death. These drugs are usually administered in cycles through:

• Injection: Directly into the bloodstream for rapid distribution.
• Oral: Pills taken by mouth for convenience.

However, because chemotherapy circulates through the entire body, it also impacts healthy, fast-growing cells. This can result in side effects, which may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Fatigue

Despite these side effects, chemotherapy's comprehensive reach allows for the treatment of widespread cancers and is frequently part of combination therapies to enhance effectiveness.