Medical Oncology

Chemotherapy works by interfering with the growth and division of cells, particularly fast-growing cells like cancer cells. While chemotherapy targets cancer cells, it can also affect healthy, fast-growing cells, leading to side effects.

• Adjuvant chemotherapy: Given after surgery or radiation to kill remaining cancer cells.
• Curative chemotherapy: Used as the primary treatment to eliminate all cancerous cells.
• Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Given before surgery or radiation to shrink tumors.
• Palliative chemotherapy: Used to relieve symptoms and prolong life, but cancer may eventually become fatal.

• Injection: Into a muscle, under the skin, or directly into the spinal fluid.
• Intravenous (IV) infusion: Through a needle or catheter inserted into a vein.
• Oral: As pills or capsules.
• Topical: Applied to the skin.

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Increased risk of infection (due to decreased white blood cell count)
• Loss of appetite
• Mouth sores
• Nausea and vomiting

Hormone therapy works by targeting specific hormones that promote cancer cell growth. An example is that some breast cancers rely on estrogen to grow, while prostate cancers rely on androgens like testosterone. Hormone therapy can be used to reduce hormone production or block hormones from attaching to cancer cells. It may be used as a primary treatment for hormone sensitive cancers, before or after surgery, or in combination with other therapies like chemotherapy or radiation.

• Injection: Into a muscle, under the skin
• Oral: As pills or capsules.
• Surgery: In certain cases, surgery may be used to remove organs that produce hormones.

• Blood clots
• Bone thinning (osteoporosis)
• Breast tenderness or swelling
• Changes in vision
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Heart problems
• Hot flashes
• Increased risk of other cancers
• Mood changes
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sexual dysfunction
• Weight gain

Targeted therapy in cancer treatment works by targeting specific molecules. The medication focuses on molecules that play a crucial role in cancer cell growth, division, and spread. Targeted therapy Interfering with cancer cell processes. These therapies can block signals that tell cancer cells to grow and divide, stop tumors from developing new blood vessels (which they need to grow), or deliver toxins directly to cancer cells. Also, targeted therapy helps by minimizing damage to healthy cells by targeting specific molecules, which aim to avoid the widespread damage to healthy cells that can occur with treatments like chemotherapy.

• Injection: Into a muscle, under the skin
• Oral: As pills or capsules.
• Surgery: In certain cases, surgery may be used to remove organs that produce hormones.

• Blood Clotting Problems
• Cardiovascular Issues
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal Issues
• Liver Problems
• Skin Problems

• Boosting the immune system: Aims to generally enhance the immune system's overall ability to fight cancer.
• Cellular therapies: Modifies a patient's own immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
• Checkpoint inhibitors: Blocks proteins that act as "brakes" on the immune system, allowing it to attack cancer cells more effectively.
• Targeting cancer cells: Helps the immune system recognize and attack specific cancer cells.

• Injection into Body Cavity: In some cases, immunotherapy may be administered directly into a body cavity where the tumor is located.
• Injection: Into a muscle, under the skin, or directly into the spinal fluid.
• Intravenous (IV) infusion: Through a needle or catheter inserted into a vein.
• Intravesical Therapy: In bladder cancer, immunotherapy drugs might be instilled directly into the bladder using a catheter.
• Oral: As pills or capsules.
• Topical: Applied to the skin.

• Digestive Issues
• Fatigue
• Flu-like Symptoms
• Injection Site Reactions
• Skin Reactions