Dr. Chun Loo Gan will conduct a thorough evaluation of your cancer history and develop a tailored treatment plan that may incorporate the following options:
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy for cancer is a type of treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.
Immunotherapy works by using drugs or other substances to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors are the most commonly used immunotherapy in cancer. These drugs block proteins on the surface of immune cells that normally prevent them from attacking cancer cells. By blocking these proteins, checkpoint inhibitors allow immune cells to attack cancer cells more effectively.
Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer and certain types of bowel cancer. However, not all patients will respond to immunotherapy, and it can have side effects, so it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your oncologist.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy for cancer is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. The drugs used in chemotherapy are designed to target cells that divide rapidly, which is a characteristic of cancer cells. However, chemotherapy drugs can also affect healthy cells that divide rapidly, such as those in the bone marrow, hair follicles, and digestive tract, which can cause side effects.
Chemotherapy drugs are mostly commonly given through a vein (intravenously) or taken by mouth (orally).
Chemotherapy may be given in cycles, with periods of treatment followed by periods of rest, to allow the body to recover from the side effects. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy. The side effects of chemotherapy can vary depending on the specific drugs used, the dosage, and individual factors.
Your oncologist will closely monitor your treatment and provide strategies to minimize and manage side effects throughout your chemotherapy journey.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy for cancer is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to target specific molecules or pathways that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks both cancerous and healthy cells, targeted therapy is designed to be more selective, focusing on specific abnormalities found only in cancer cells.
There are several types of targeted therapy, including:
Small molecule drugs: These are drugs that can enter cancer cells and interfere with specific molecules that are involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. Examples of small molecule drugs include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which block enzymes that promote cell growth, and proteasome inhibitors, which block proteins that help cancer cells survive.
Monoclonal antibodies: These are laboratory-made proteins that can recognize and bind to specific molecules found on cancer cells. By binding to these molecules, monoclonal antibodies can block the signals that promote cancer cell growth and survival. Some monoclonal antibodies can also stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Targeted therapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, and leukemia. However, not all patients will respond to targeted therapy, and it can have side effects, so it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your oncologist.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy, also known as endocrine therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that works by blocking or reducing the effects of hormones that promote the growth of certain types of cancer cells. Hormones are substances produced by glands in the body that regulate various functions, including growth and reproduction.
In some types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer, hormones such as estrogen and testosterone can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Hormonal therapy can be used to block the effects of these hormones or reduce their production, which can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Hormonal therapy can be given in several ways, including:
- Oral medication: Hormonal therapy drugs can be taken by mouth.
- Injections: Hormonal therapy drugs can be given as injections under the skin or into a muscle.
- Implants: Hormonal therapy drugs can be delivered through small pellets that are inserted under the skin.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery can be used to remove glands that produce hormones, such as the ovaries in women or the testicles in men.
Hormonal therapy can have side effects, including hot flashes, fatigue, and changes in mood or sexual function. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of hormonal therapy with your oncologist.