In order to treat it effectively, one or more therapies are often used. They can be used separately or in combination. The most common therapies are surgery, radiation therapy , and chemotherapy. Surgery and radiation therapy are local treatments. This means they are directed at and treat a specific area affected by cancer.
Chemotherapy refers to medications that can kill or control cancer.
These medications are delivered to all parts of the body in the bloodstream. For this reason, chemotherapy is considered a systemic treatment, or one that affects the entire body. There are many kinds of chemotherapy. The choice of medications will depend on the type of cancer, the extent of the cancer, and the potential side effects of the medication. The goal of chemotherapy can be to cure the cancer, to control its growth, or to relieve the symptoms or pain caused by the cancer.