Medical-treatment-of-cancer
Cancer treatment depends on several factors: the type of cancer, its size and location of the disease and the health of the person. It usually takes several months. Then, regular monitoring is available, because of the possibility of relapse. Unfortunately, in many cases, treatment is initiated when the cancer is at an advanced stage, which reduces the chances of recovery.
Depending on the degree of development of cancer, three therapeutic approaches are possible:
* A cure, which aims to cure cancer.
* A adjuvant, which is given in parallel to the primary treatment to improve chances of recovery (eg, hormone therapy administered before or after surgery for prostate cancer).
* A palliative treatment, which aims to relieve symptoms or prolong life, when the chances of recovery are very low.
Treating cancer represents a challenge to kill diseased cells while preserving healthy cells. Radiotherapy, for example, also destroys healthy cells near the tumor. As for chemotherapy treatments, some of them will affect the whole body, particularly the rapidly developing cells such as the scalp, digestive tract and blood. In this case, side effects can be significant: a reduction of immune function, anemia, digestive problems and loss of hair. Researchers are hard at work to develop drugs that attack only cancer cells.
Types of medical treatment possible
Surgery. If possible, extract the tumor with surgery and complete treatment of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to eliminate cancer cells that remain. It is the oldest treatment against cancer and probably most effective when the tumor is still confined to a region of the body, ie it has not seeped into the surrounding tissue.
Radiotherapy. Using different sources of ionizing radiation, depending on the type of tumor, treatment is often required after surgery. It aims to destroy cancer cells that might remain and prevent local recurrences. The rays also kill normal cells. The radiation is emitted by a radiation or with radioactive substances introduced into the patient near the tumor (brachytherapy). In Canada and the United States, about half of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is administered by injection or as tablets, chemical drugs. There are several, which have different mechanisms of action and different side effects. Its use depends on the malignancy of the tumor, its origin and stage of evolution. It is often used when the tumor reappeared and when there are metastases. Chemotherapy is sometimes given before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor and facilitate its removal.
Hormone. Hormone therapy can help control and cure breast cancer or prostate, which are sometimes hormone. It often aims to reduce the levels of some hormones in the body (eg, estrogen), or to prevent the tumor from using these hormones to grow.
Immunotherapy. Among the main active chemicals in the immune system, cytokines ago – which includes the interferons and interleukins. In patients whose immune system is already strong and where the cancer is still at an early stage, can be injected cytokines to boost the immune function of the body. In addition, new immunotherapy treatments are being developed. They are to produce a vaccine that stimulates the activity of the patient’s immune system against the tumor.
The tumor angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels forming around a tumor. The formation of these vessels is stimulated by substances that cancer cells secrete. As these vessels allow the tumor to feed, many chemotherapy drugs and hormonal therapy aimed at reversing the phenomenon of angiogenesis in order to “starve” the tumor.
Psychological and social support
The psychological work can help the person with cancer to have a better quality of life by allowing it to retain control over other aspects of his life. In addition, it helps break the feeling of powerlessness that can contribute to the progression of the tumor. Assistance can take all sorts of ways: seeing a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a psychiatrist, a social worker, a nurse, a support group of relatives of other patients on the Internet, etc..
Research led by Alastair Cunningham, University of Toronto, and by David Spiegel at Stanford University, show that participation in a psychotherapy group generally decreases stress, provides a greater appreciation of life and help to give a sens19-26. According to other research, preliminary and controversial, the duration of vie20 ,27-29 could lie in some people with cancer who, with great personal commitment, such an approach in psychotherapy.
The specialists, however, caution against the simplistic equation that the disease is attributable to a psychological conflict which, once identified, will lead to healing.
In most cases, complementary approaches to improve the quality of life. Many of them rely mainly on the interaction between thoughts, emotions and physical body to provide wellness. It is possible that these approaches have an effect on the evolution of the tumor. In practice, we can see that they can have one or more of the following:
* Improve the sense of well-being and psychological;
* Bring pleasure and calm;
* To reduce anxiety and stress;
* To reduce fatigue;
* Reduce nausea due to chemotherapy treatments;
* Increase in appetite;
* Improving the quality of sleep.
Here is an overview of evidence supporting the effectiveness of some of these approaches.
Acupuncture effective. Relying on tests cliniques40, 41 so far, several committees of experts and organizations (the National Institutes of Health42, National Cancer Institute43 and the World Organization for Santé44) have concluded that the effectiveness of ‘acupuncture to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatment.
Some clinical studies have also evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture to relieve pain caused by cancer. The results are now contradictoires45. Acupuncture may help reduce other symptoms related to cancer, such as weight loss, anxiety and depression, but the evidence is at préliminaire43.
Effective visualization. As a result of the findings of three reviews of studies, it is now recognized that relaxation techniques, including visualization, significantly reduce the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and vomissements46-48 and the symptoms psychological like anxiety, depression, anger or print impuissance46, 48.49.
Massage likely effectiveness. The data from tests conducted with persons indicates that the cancer massage, with or without aromatherapy, provides short-term benefits on the welfare psychologique50-53. The most conclusive concerning anxiety. For against, as far as pain, nausea and depression, although some studies have demonstrated some significant effects, there is too much difference between the results of various searches to arrive at definitive conclusions. Massage, sometimes offered in hospitals, provide people with cancer to a moment of respite, gentleness and relaxation appreciated.
These studies argue that the efficiency of lymphatic drainage to reduce lymphedema following treatment against cancer
Likely effectiveness Yoga. A systematic synthesis of the scientific literature, which was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga in cancer patients or cancer survivors reported that the practice of yoga creates several positive effects on sleep quality, mood and management of stress60.
Possible efficiency Art Therapy. Art therapy, a form of psychotherapy that uses creativity as an opening on the interior, could be useful for people with cancer after a few trials. Indeed, art therapy seems promising to improve the well-being, foster communication and help manage the emotional conflicts related to cancer.
Homeopathy efficiently as possible. A review systématique72 found that homeopathic treatment can help improve the overall health and quality of life of cancer patients. In addition, they may help reduce inflammation of the mouth caused by chemotherapy and heat from the skin during radiation therapy.
Meditation efficiently as possible. Nine studies, small scale, assessed the effect of the practice of Mindfulness meditation (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) to people with cancer. They all reported improvements in several symptoms, such as reduced stress, less anxiety and depression, greater well-being and strengthening the immune system.
Several foundations and associations provide, for example, workshops, art therapy, yoga, dance therapy, massage, meditation, Qi Gong and Reiki. View sites of interest. You can also view our cards on each specific type of cancer.
Naturopathy approaches to consider.Wwith medical treatment, the naturopathic approach is to improve health and quality of life and help the body to better defend itself against cancer30. With certain foods, herbs and supplements, naturopathy may, for example, support the liver and help the body to release its toxins. Naturopathic treatments generally include significant changes in the diet. In addition, particular attention will be given to observe all things that can, in the environment (chemicals, food, etc..) Contribute to cancer. Supplements of antioxidants (like vitamins C and E), if used, should be only under professional supervision, as some may interfere with treatment. For more information, see Cancer: support of naturopathy.