The three mainstays of cancer therapy over the years have been surgery, radiation and chemotherapy . These have now been joined by biological therapy, which uses the body's immune system to combat growing cancer cells . The goals, procedures, risks and side effects of each of these four kinds of therapy (sometimes referred to as modalities) are detailed in the next four sections. Here, the treatment options are briefly reviewed.
Surgery This is the oldest and most successful approach to cancer treatment. If it is possible to "cut
it out" safely and there is no residual disease, you may be cured. Two key questions have to be answered when deciding if surgery is the right thing to do.
• Is the tumor just in one place (localized)? Once the cancer has spread, surgery may or may not be appropriate.
• Can the tumor be removed without damaging vital organs or causing major functional problems? A cancerous
lung or a kidney can be removed because everyone has a spare. But a surgeon can't cut out the whole liver or
vital parts of the brain.
There are two surgical approaches. In the one-stage approach, the diagnostic biopsy might be followed immediately by the removal of the tumor while you are still under anesthesia. After the operation, you can discuss whether you need additional therapy and what the most effective method or sequence would be, particularly if several therapies might be realistic alternatives.
In the two-stage approach, only the biopsy is done. You then discuss the results with your doctor. If the biopsy shows cancer, you and your doctor plan the definitive cancer treatment. If surgery is an option, the operation to remove the tumor will then be carried out.
