| Cancer treatments vary depending on the type and stage of cancer. The following table describes the most common forms of treatment and their possible side effects, although these can be different for each patient. Some patients may go through primary treatment such as surgery and radiation followed by further treatment afterwards to decrease the chances that the cancer may recur. This is known as adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormone therapy.. It is important to discuss your treatment options and possible side effects with your doctor. Side effects may be noticeable within a few hours after treatment or may occur a few weeks later; for example, it is common to experience nausea within a few hours after receiving chemotherapy, while loss of hair may occur one to two weeks following chemotherapy. Please Note: Not all treatment can be offered in the NT. | image: "Treatment Options" |
| Cancer Treatment | Side Effects |
|---|---|
Surgery Surgery involves the partial or total removal of a tumour or body part affected by cancer. Each cancer type has its own name that refers to the removal of the tumour | Side effects depend on which part of the body is affected, the location of the tumour and how complicated it is to remove the tumour. Pain is often associated with the site of operation. Infections and reactions to anaesthetic may also occur. Lymphoedema is a common side effect if surgery has included removal of lymph nodes. For further information,see The Lymphoedema Association of Australia. |
Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill and slow the growth of cancer cells. The drugs circulate through the blood stream and attack the dividing cancerous cells to prevent them from multiplying. There are many different types of chemotherapy drugs that can be used alone or in combination, depending on the type and stage of cancer. There are many routes and ways of administrating chemotherapy and the appropriate drug, dose and route will be decided by the relevant consultant/specialist. | Nausea and vomiting may be present prior to Chemotherapy may also temporarily impair vision, hearing and balance. For further information, see the Cancer Institute NSW Standard Cancer Treatment (Ci-SCaT)website. |
Radiotherapy Radiation with high-frequency x-ray beams directed at the tumour to destroy dividing cancer cells so they cannot multiply. Radiotherapy is used to treat both primary and metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). Radiotherapy focuses on cancer cells, however surrounding tissue that is also exposed to radiation may be affected, for example, skin may appear 'sunburnt'.
| Short term side effects are localised and depend on which parts of the body are receiving treatment:
Long-term effects also depend on the sites at which radiotherapy is targeted, but may include:
|
Hormone Therapy Hormones are chemicals released by some cells (for example the thyroid) that affect cells in other parts of the body. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. It is also a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one cell to another. Hormone therapy works by controlling, removing or reducing the production of a stimulating hormone, or preventing the hormone from stimulating cancer cells. Hormone therapy can be used in conjunction with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It may be administered orally (tablets), by injection or intravenously (by drip).
| The side effects usually depend on the age of the person receiving treatment. Male side effects may include:
Female side effects may include:
|
Steroid Therapy Steroids are produced naturally in the body but can also be artificially made. For cancer treatment, corticosteroid drugs are used to improve appetite and reduce pain, nausea or swelling to the brain. Steroid therapy can be administered orally (tablets), by injection or intravenously (by drip). Steroid therapy is usually given for a short period of time. | Temporary side effects may include:
Long term use of steroids may lead to:
|
Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants Stem cells are immature, early-stage blood cells from which other blood and body cells develop. They are found in bone marrow, blood stream or umbilical cord blood. Stem cells assist with immunity and prevent Stem cell transplant is a treatment method where immature healthy blood cells are introduced into the body to resupply those that have been destroyed by cancer treatment. A stem cell transplant can assist the Depending on the source of the stem cells, the procedure is called a bone marrow transplant, a peripheral blood stem cell or a cord blood transplant. Stem cell transplants can use cells from your own body (autologous stem cell transplant) or utilise stem cells from related or unrelated donors (allogenic stem cell transplant). | Due to the high doses of drugs, the immune system is weakened and susceptible to infections for a month or more. A potential complication of allogenic transplants (tissue from related or unrelated donor) is that the donor tissue may be rejected and cause reactions that lead to jaundice, rashes |
Complementary and Alternative Therapies Complementary therapies include massage, yoga, acupuncture or art therapy. These therapies focus on the physical and emotional well being of a patient. They may be used together with conventional cancer therapies. Alternative therapies such as vitamin infusions or diet regimes may be recommended in place of traditional cancer therapies. Little research-based evidence exists to support or refute the use of alternative cancer therapies. If you are interested in these approaches it is important discuss the options with your doctor. | Side effects vary depending on the therapy the patient is receiving. In some cases, complementary therapies can decrease the side effects of conventional treatment such as nausea.
|