Oncology

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to prevent cancer cells from dividing and growing, and to destroy them. Radiation is administered externally to the designated area on ​​the body using a machine called a linear accelerator. It can be administered internally using a radioactive material placed directly in or near the tumor. Radiotherapy may cause side effects, but when used in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery, it is an effective way to treat cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses medication to destroy cancer cells. The medication can be taken orally or injected into the veins and made to pass through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells in the body.

Side effects in chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is often used alongside other treatments such as radiotherapy or surgery in order to increase its effectiveness. Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss and an increased risk of infection. However, these are usually temporary and can be managed with medication and other supportive care. The specific chemotherapy medication used and the appropriate nutrition for this process may depend on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Hormone therapy

Hormonal therapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by blocking or lowering hormone levels that can trigger the growth of certain types of cancer, such as breast or prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy can be administered using drugs that block hormone production, stop hormones from reaching cancer cells, or interfere with how hormones affect cancer cells.

Hormone therapy can also be administered by surgical removal of hormone-producing organs, such as the ovaries or testes. This type of treatment is often used together with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and its effectiveness may depend on the specific type and stage of cancer being treated. Common side effects of hormone therapy include hot flashes, decreased sexual desire, and osteoporosis, but these can often be managed with medications and lifestyle changes.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. It works by improving the immune system's ability to detect and attack cancer cells, or by providing it with components that can attack cancer cells directly. There are several types of immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and vaccines.

Checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking certain proteins that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. This allows the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

CAR T-cell therapy involves gathering a patient's T cells, a type of immune cell, and genetically modifying them in the lab to specifically target cancer cells. The modified T cells are then introduced back into the patient's body to attack the cancer.

Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack certain cancer cells.

Immunotherapy can be an effective treatment option for some types of cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The side effects of immunotherapy can vary. These side effects include fatigue, fever and autoimmune reactions. However, these can often be managed with medication and other supportive care.

Oncological Surgery

Oncological surgery is for removing cancerous tumors or tissue. It is an important part of cancer treatment and can be curative, especially when combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Oncologic surgery can change from simple excision of a localized tumor to more complex procedures such as mastectomy for breast cancer or total colectomy for colon cancer. The specific type of oncologic surgery will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as other factors such as the patient's overall health and preferences. Recovery time and side effects depend on the type of surgery and the patient. However, it usually has risks of complications such as pain, swelling, infection or bleeding.

There are several ways to diagnose and treat cancer in the field of oncology. Medical oncology often uses chemotherapy medication for cancer treatment, while radiation oncology focuses on radiation therapy methods. Surgical oncology, on the other hand, focuses on surgery to diagnose, stage, treat cancer and manage some of the symptoms that develop due to cancer.

In oncological surgery, a multidisciplinary approach is adopted for the treatment of the disease by combining surgical methods with other necessary therapies and procedures. There are two different types of operations in oncological surgery, open and minimally invasive. In open surgery, the operation is performed through a single large incision. Mostly, some or all of the tumor is removed from the body along with the surrounding healthy tissue.