For Comprehensive, when a patient is diagnosed with cancer, we begin with outlining a treatment plan, with five fundamental treatment options used to take care of patients.
The most challenging words a for a patient to hear is: you have cancer. When the inevitable shock of being diagnosed with cancer begins to wear off, the focus then rightly becomes what can be done to tackle the illness. For Comprehensive, it begins with outlining a cancer treatment plan, with five fundamental types of treatment used to take care of patients, including the following:
- Chemotherapy: Medications that reduce cancer growth and spread
- Radiotherapy: Radiation delivered to inhibit cancer cell reproduction
- Surgery: Removal of cancerous tumors and other obstructions
- Hormone Therapy: Medications that aid or limit presence or activity of hormones
- Immunotherapy: Therapy that aids the body’s own immune system to affect cancer cells including CAR T-cell therapy
What do each of these treatments entail? The following details offer clarity:
Chemotherapy: This treatment option is part of a standardized regimen to treat cancerous diseases with drugs that interfere with cancer cell growth and reproduction. These cancer-fighting drugs also target and attack cancerous cells that may have spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and/or surgery.
Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy (LINK 3) is an effective cancer treatment option for patients in Las Vegas, with Comprehensive providing several types of radiosurgery. From CyberKnife® Radiosurgery to Radioisotope therapy, among many others, the practice works closely with a patient’s medical team to provide radiation treatment best suited for their individual needs.
Surgery: The patient care team at Comprehensive includes breast surgeons who conduct both non-cancer and cancer-related surgeries. Surgery is a critical aspect of their efforts to provide effective treatment options to breast care and breast cancer patients.
Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy, practiced by Comprehensive’s team of medical oncologists is treatment that slows or stops the growth of cancer that rely on hormones to spread. Hormone therapy is also called hormone treatment or endocrine therapy.
Immunotherapy: The immune system often recognizes cancerous cells and eliminates them. However, cancer can sometimes develop what could be considered a camouflage to shield itself from immune systems. When camouflaged, cells can survive, grow and spread to other parts of the body.
These outlined cancer treatments can be used alone, or perhaps in combination with other therapies. This all depends on factors such as type of cancer, stage at diagnosis and a patient’s overall health. This entire plan is directed by a Comprehensive oncologist who finds the right treatment combination suited to best take on the disease.
It’s important to note that every treatment plan begins with an in-depth discussion with an oncologist who will be the lead in the patient’s treatment plan and coordination care with other physicians, if necessary. Discussions with a primary oncologist include details on cancer states, timelines for treatment and possible side effects. Depending on a cancer type, stage as well as any previous treatments for cancer done elsewhere, discussions may include clinical research options, which can open up new pathways where existing treatments maybe have proven to be ineffective.
Access to clinical research is a key differentiator for Comprehensive, with access to more than 170 ongoing research studies that can be accessed without travel to other clinics in other states. Research not only opens up new care options, but empowers patients with the opportunity to take an active role in helping improve cancer treatment for future patients. These treatments, sometimes first researched in part at Comprehensive Cancer Centers, may later become a standard of care.
For those looking to get ahead of cancer, Cancer Genetic Counseling is an option that helps patients better understand and manage potential risks by pinpointing them earlier than what regular screenings may provide.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for cancer, serious blood disorders, breast health conditions, pulmonary and sleep disease. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350. The practice also offers help with sleep issues.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
