Types of Cancer Treatment
Understand the main types of cancer treatment, how they are used and where they fit in a patient's care journey.
Cancer treatment types
Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, biomarkers, overall health and individual treatment goals. More than one treatment may be used.
Chemotherapy
Medicines that kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Explore chemotherapy acronyms →Radiation Therapy
Uses high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells. It may be used to treat cancer, reduce symptoms or support other treatments.
Immunotherapy
Helps the immune system recognize and respond to cancer. Several different immunotherapy approaches are used in oncology.
Targeted Therapy
Targets specific molecules or pathways involved in cancer growth and survival, often guided by tumor biomarkers.
Hormone Therapy
Blocks or changes hormone signaling that can help certain hormone-sensitive cancers grow.
Surgery
Removes cancer or affected tissue when surgery is appropriate. It may be combined with systemic or radiation treatment.
Stem Cell Transplant
Uses blood-forming stem cells to restore bone marrow after intensive treatment for selected cancers and blood disorders.
Cellular Therapy
Includes therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy, in which immune cells are modified or prepared to target cancer.
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