Fondation québécoise du cancer

Immunotherapy is a treatment or intervention designed to help the body’s immune system fight cancer. It does not directly attack cancer cells but focuses instead on helping other cells - called immune cells - detect and destroy cancer cells.

Surgical oncology is the branch of surgery concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It is the oldest form of cancer treatment.

Hormone therapy is a treatment that changes the level of hormones in the body. Hormones are chemical substances that act on the development of our cells.

Radiation therapy involves the use of X-rays, gamma rays, electrons and other forms of high-energy radiation. The treatment is painless and does not last long, from one to five minutes. In fact, the waiting and preparation phases often take longer than the treatment itself, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, that is to say, it can reach all parts of the body and destroy cancer cells, even microscopic ones, wherever it finds them. It uses drugs designed to prevent cancer cells from multiplying and destroying those already present in the body.

The mode of treatment used, whether it be radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or any combination of these four kinds of treatment will depend on a joint decision reached by all the specialists involved in your treatment and you.

While cancer treatments are essential to allow the patient to confront this health challenge, they can unfortunately result in a weakened immune system. Certain precautions need to be taken to protect the person with cancer.

Articles

Immunotherapy

Surgical Oncology

Hormone therapy

Radiotherapy

Chemotherapy

Other cancer treatments

Precautions to take when one has cancer

Subcategories

immuno

Articles

Immunotherapy

Surgical Oncology

Hormone therapy

Radiotherapy

Chemotherapy

Other cancer treatments

Precautions to take when one has cancer

Subcategories

immuno

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