Treatment
Cancer treatment is no longer a single drug but a combination chosen according to the biology of the tumour. This page covers current options, from chemotherapy and immunotherapy to targeted drugs and antibody-drug conjugates.
- 5 main drug treatment approaches
- 4 steps in planning treatment
- MDT decisions are taken by a multidisciplinary board
How is treatment planned?
The plan starts with the type and stage of the disease, but it does not end there. Hormone receptor status, HER2 level, genetic changes and the tumour's relationship with the immune system all determine which drug will work.
That is why pathology must be complete, and molecular tests carried out where needed, before treatment begins. Waiting a few days is always better than losing months to the wrong treatment.
Decisions are not made by one doctor but by a multidisciplinary board: medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology assess the patient together.
Drug treatment approaches
These are not alternatives to one another; they are often used in sequence or together within the same plan.
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01
Chemotherapy
The classical method, targeting rapidly dividing cells. Although its side effects are the best known, supportive medication means nausea and infection are far better managed today.
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02
Targeted therapies
These block a specific protein or signalling pathway in the tumour cell. HER2-targeted drugs, CDK4/6 inhibitors and PARP inhibitors belong here. They only work in tumours that carry the relevant target.
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03
Immunotherapy
Releases the brake on immune cells that fight cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors are used in patients whose tumours carry markers such as PD-L1 positivity or high MSI.
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04
Antibody-drug conjugates
Also known as ADCs. An antibody carries a chemotherapy drug directly to the tumour cell, so healthy tissue is spared. They have widened the options in HER2-low breast cancer.
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05
Endocrine (hormone) therapy
In hormone-driven tumours it blocks the effect of the hormone or reduces its production. Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are the best known examples, usually taken over several years.
The treatment process step by step
The route varies between patients, but its outline is usually as follows.
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01
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy, pathology and imaging establish the type, stage and biological features of the disease.
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02
Board decision
The multidisciplinary team meets and agrees the order in which surgery, drug treatment and radiotherapy will be applied.
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03
Delivering treatment
The plan begins. Regular blood tests and monitoring of side effects are an inseparable part of this stage.
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04
Response and follow-up
Imaging at set intervals measures the response, and the plan is updated if needed. Regular follow-up continues after treatment ends.
Managing side effects
Side effects may look like an unavoidable part of treatment, but most of them are predictable and manageable. What matters is reporting them early and never stopping medication on your own.
Nausea, fatigue, mouth ulcers, loss of appetite and falling blood counts are the most common problems. Supportive treatment exists for each of them, and interrupting treatment is usually not necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does chemotherapy always cause hair loss?
No. It depends on the drug; some chemotherapy agents do not cause hair loss. It is also not expected with endocrine therapy or with many targeted drugs. Ask your doctor which drug you will receive and what side effects to expect.
Is immunotherapy better than chemotherapy?
Neither is better than the other; they work in different patients. Immunotherapy is only effective in tumours carrying certain markers. Using it in an unsuitable patient means giving up a chemotherapy that would have worked.
Can targeted treatment be used for everyone?
No. These drugs only work in tumours that carry the change they target, so the relevant molecular tests must be done before treatment starts. Using them without testing brings no benefit.
Can I take herbal supplements during treatment?
Always ask your doctor first. Many herbal products affect how the liver processes drugs and can change the blood level of your cancer medication — reducing its effect or increasing side effects.
What happens if I have to pause treatment?
Short breaks because of falling blood counts or side effects are common and usually do not affect the outcome. What matters is that your doctor makes that decision; stopping medication on your own can be risky.
Should I take part in a clinical trial?
Clinical trials can give access to options that have not yet become standard treatment. Eligibility is assessed against the protocol. Participation is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw at any stage.