Chemotherapy is a systemic cancer treatment that uses medications to destroy or control rapidly dividing cancer cells. It may be recommended before surgery, after surgery or as the primary treatment for certain cancers. The selection of medicines and treatment schedule depends on cancer type, stage, patient health and treatment goals.
Immunotherapy helps the body's immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Certain immunotherapy medicines are used for selected solid tumours depending on cancer characteristics and biomarker results. Patients require regular monitoring because immune-related side effects can affect organs such as the lungs, liver, intestines and endocrine glands.
Targeted therapy uses medications designed to interfere with specific molecules or signalling pathways involved in cancer cell growth. These treatments may be considered when testing identifies relevant genetic mutations, proteins or other biomarkers. Their effectiveness and potential side effects depend on the medicine and individual cancer characteristics.
Breast cancer treatment depends on tumour stage, hormone receptor status, HER2 expression and other clinical factors. Medical management may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted treatments or immunotherapy in selected cases. A multidisciplinary team may also recommend surgery or radiation therapy as part of the treatment plan.
Prostate cancer treatment varies according to disease stage, aggressiveness, symptoms and overall health. Medical oncology options may include androgen deprivation therapy, newer hormone-based medicines, chemotherapy and selected targeted treatments. Surgery or radiation therapy may also be considered through collaboration with urologists and radiation oncologists.
Solid tumours are abnormal masses that may develop in organs such as the breast, lung, prostate or gastrointestinal tract. Cancer management involves accurate diagnosis, staging and assessment of tumour biology. Systemic therapies may be considered alongside surgery, radiation or supportive treatments, depending on the diagnosis and clinical condition.
Systemic anticancer therapy refers to medicines that travel through the bloodstream to treat cancer throughout the body. It includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and some hormone-based treatments. A medical oncologist assesses treatment suitability, monitors response and adjusts management according to effectiveness, side effects and changing clinical needs.
Personalised cancer treatment planning considers the cancer diagnosis, stage, molecular characteristics, previous therapies and the patient's overall health. Treatment decisions may involve combining different approaches or selecting specific medicines based on biomarker results. The objective is to choose an appropriate evidence-based plan aligned with individual clinical circumstances.