OGHS Medical Oncology
Non-Surgical Cancer Treatments
There are several non-surgical treatments for cancer, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Our medical oncology team specializes in these treatments and cancer symptom management. Your treatment plan will be personalized to meet your specific needs.
What is Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a group of medications designed to attack cancer cells. It is usually introduced to the body directly through the blood via infusion, but can also be taken orally. Chemotherapy drugs are efficient cancer removers, but they have a hard time distinguishing cancer cells from healthy cells. This is why chemotherapy often comes with side effects.
Chemotherapy side effects vary depending on what type of cancer it is used to treat. Some common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Constipation
The knowledgeable oncology team will help you manage side effects from chemotherapy. Improving your quality of life is a core component of our cancer care strategy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses medicines to help the body's defenses work harder to fight cancer cells. Cancer cells can sometimes catalogue themselves as regular cells, making it harder for the body’s immune system to find them. Even if it can find the cancer cells, it may not be strong enough to fight them. The medications used in immunotherapy are designed to improve the immune system’s ability to detect and fight specific types of cancer cells.
Visit Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for the Comprehensive Care You Need
These treatments, sometimes combined with surgery and/or radiation therapy, are powerful tools in stopping or slowing cancer growth. Oncologists monitor patients' progress with physical examinations and laboratory screening, and work with primary physicians to develop the best care for the individual patient.
