Chemotherapy: Kills or slows the growth of cancer cells within the patient’s body using drugs. It is a more likely choice when it is located in several parts of the body.
Radiation: It also kills or damages cancerous cells. Particular types of focussed energy called ionizing radiation are directed at the site of the tumour. The DNA of cancer cells are damaged preventing them from replication. This may slow the growth of the tumour, stop it, shrink the tumour or kill the cancer cells that remain after surgery. Various methods are used to direct the radiation at only the cancer cells, minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue.
Surgery: In the case of surgery the intent is to remove the tumour rather than to kill the cancerous cells that make it up. The potential benefit or risk of surgery will depend on the type of tumour, its location or a number of other factors. Because it involves cutting into the body, surgery almost always entails some side-effects, although some newer minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery can help to reduce them.
Also read: War on Cancer
Video published with permission from BioDigital Systems.
First Published: Feb 23, 2012 at 10:50 AM
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