Adjuvant therapy for cancer

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Adjuvant therapy for cancer is chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or medication to remove residual tumors after initial treatment. Adjuvant therapy for cancer helps reduce the high risk of recurrence, especially in the treatment of late-stage cancer.

1. What is adjuvant therapy for cancer?

Adjuvant therapy for cancer is often used after primary treatments, such as surgery, to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Even when surgery is successful in removing all of the visible cancerous mass, sometimes small pieces of cancer remain and cannot be detected by current methods.
Adjuvant therapy for cancer that is given before the main treatment is called neoadjuvant therapy. This type of adjuvant therapy can also reduce the risk of cancer coming back and make primary treatment - such as surgery or radiation therapy - easier or more effective.
Adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy can cause significant side effects and not everyone will benefit from this approach.

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2. What methods are used for adjuvant therapy?

Types of adjuvant therapy for cancer include:
Chemotherapy: Cancer chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells throughout the body. Hormone therapy: For hormone-sensitive cancers, some treatments can stop hormone production in the body or block the effects of hormones. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as protons or X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given from outside or inside the body. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy works together with the body's immune system to fight any remaining cancer cells by enhancing or stimulating the body's own defenses. Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy to change specific abnormalities present in cancer cells. For example, one targeted therapy blocks the action of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) in women with breast cancer.

3. How effective is adjuvant therapy for cancer?

Because none of these treatments are completely harmless, it is important to determine the risks versus benefits of adjuvant therapy. The following factors can help determine if adjuvant therapy is appropriate and, if so, which one to choose:
Cancer type : Treatment of certain types of cancer, such as breast and cancer colon cancer, adjuvant therapy can be very beneficial. For some other types of cancer, there may be no benefit. Cancer Stage: Cancer stage refers to how far the cancer has spread. If the cancer is at a very early stage - before it has spread - the chances of the cancer coming back after surgery may be very small. Adjuvant therapy may be of little benefit in this case. But if the cancer is at an advanced stage or has spread to nearby lymph nodes, adjuvant therapy to cure the late-stage cancer may be more beneficial. Number of lymph nodes involved: The more lymph nodes involved, the more likely it is that cancer cells are left behind after local treatment. Hormone receptivity: Hormone therapy will not be effective if the tumor is not sensitive to hormones. Other cancer-specific changes: Some cancers may have specific changes in cells that indicate the possibility that the cancer will return, making adjuvant therapy more likely to be beneficial. If tests show that the cancer is unlikely to come back, adjuvant therapy may offer little benefit. Adjuvant therapy for cancer does not guarantee that the cancer will not return. However, it can help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.

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4. Which adjuvant therapy to choose for cancer treatment?

When you are wondering whether adjuvant therapy for cancer is right for your body, discuss the following issues with your doctor:
How is cancer treated? Find out exactly what to expect during adjuvant treatment. What are the side effects? When do side effects appear? What side effects can be permanent? What side effects are intolerable? Plan to work or stay active during treatment? Could side effects get in the way of the plan? How long do side effects last? How long does adjuvant therapy take? Adjuvant therapy for cancer can last from just a few weeks to as long as 10 years. Time recommendations should be clearly understood. What is the chance of curing cancer? Understand the likelihood that the cancer will recur if further treatment is decided and the extent to which it will improve if undergoing adjuvant therapy. Doctors can estimate the effectiveness of treatment based on comparison with data from studies of other people with the same type of cancer, at the same stage, and receiving the same treatment. How is the patient's overall health? Healthier people may experience fewer side effects during adjuvant treatment and are more likely to benefit from it. People with serious health problems may experience more side effects and may get less benefit from this therapy. If the person has other significant health problems, such as heart disease or severe lung disease, adjuvant treatments may not be on target. Patient preferences? Some people want to do everything they can to reduce the risk of their cancer coming back, regardless of side effects. Others choose not to tolerate additional side effects if there is a possibility of little benefit. These decisions can be very difficult, and doctors can help patients decide if the benefits of adjuvant therapy outweigh the risks. Cost of therapy? Some adjuvant therapies for cancer will be covered by health insurance. However, some medications and procedures may be out-of-pocket. Please carefully weigh the benefits and financial possibilities. In summary, adjuvant therapy for cancer, while not a cure-all, reduces the risk of cancer coming back and makes primary treatments easier or more effective. Patients need to be consulted by a doctor to understand the benefits and side effects, balance between preferences and financial capabilities.
Periodic health checkup is one of the ways to early recognize and prevent cancer, from which to have a treatment plan to achieve optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package general Vip Special general health checkup package Standard general health checkup package Patient's examination results will be returned to your home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties right at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: mayoclinic.org

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This article is written for readers from Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.