TreatmentThere are many different types of treatments for cancer, depending on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the patient's overall condition. The treatment can vary depending on the doctor's approach to treat the cancer. The treatments offered at Gettysburg Cancer Center are Chemotherapy, Targeted therapies, biological therapy, and hormonal therapy. Gettysburg Cancer Center works closely with other medical facilities which can provide other types of therapy which include surgery and radiation therapy. One or more different methods could be used during a patient's treatment. It is very common to use multiple methods of treatment to limit the chances of recurrence.
Targeted therapies
A targeted therapy is used to only treat the cancer cells and minimize damage to normal, healthy cells. This treatment will help reduce treatment related side effects and improve outcomes. Conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy do not tell the difference between cancer cells and healthy cells. Advances in science and technology have led to the development of several different types of targeted therapies. Each of these new treatments target cancer cells through different mechanisms.
Chemotherapy
The treatment of chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Cancer chemotherapy may use one drug or multiply drugs which can be given through vein, injected into body cavity, or delivered orally by pill. Chemotherapy is different in the fact that it travels through the blood stream to parts of the body where the cancer could spread. More than fifty percent of patients that are diagnosed with cancer receive chemotherapy. This treatment allows for patients to receive treatment and to live everyday life. Advancement in chemotherapy have minimized side effects and have increased efficiency.
Surgery
Surgery is a way to diagnose cancer, determine its stage, and treat it. A very common surgery used to diagnose cancer is called biopsy. A biopsy is where they take tissue from suspected cancer patients and then tested in a laboratory. This determines whether the tissue is cancerous and helps determine where the cancer is focused. Surgery is used to remove the cancerous tissue inside the body. Information from the surgery then can be used in predicting the likelihood of cancer returning and if other treatments are needed.
We work closely with our local surgeons to use surgery treatment when necessary.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage or kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing. Radiation Treatment can be done locally and is used to eliminate visible tumors. Radiation therapy can be externally or internally given. External radiation sends high-energy rays directly to the tumor area. Internal radiation consists of putting a small amount of radioactive material in or around the cancer. Radiation can also be used with other kinds of treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and can even be used alone.
Biological Therapy
Biological therapy is a type of treatment that uses the body's immune system to facilitate the killing of cancer cells. Types of biological therapy include interferon, interleukin, monoclonal antibodies, colony stimulating factors (cytokines), and vaccines.
Hormanal therapy
Hormones are naturally occurring substances in the body that stimulate the growth of hormone sensitive tissues, such as the breast or prostate gland. When cancer arises in the breast or prostate tissue, its growth may spread which is caused by the body's hormones. Therefore, drugs that block hormone production or change the hormonal response are used to fight the spreading of the cancer. Hormone therapy, similar to chemotherapy is a systemic treatment in that it may affect cancer cells throughout the body.
Yoga
Dating back 500 years, yoga has been seen as the oldest defined practice of self-help or self care. Gettysburg Cancer Center believes in a holistic approach along with a treatment approach to fight cancer. Gettysburg Cancer Center offers Yoga classes and nutrition counseling. Our Yoga sessions teach modified Yoga Stretches, centering around breathing practices, chanting and mediation for physical and mental benefits.