Treating Cancer

This section provides information on the following topics:

Staging: Staging is the process of describing the size and location of the tumor(s) and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This section provides an overview of staging.

Types of Treatment: This section includes general information on the most common types of cancer treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. This section also describes some of the less common therapies such as hormone therapy, biologic therapy, and targeted therapy.

Managing Side Effects: Information on managing the potential side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.

Palliative Care: Today, many people with cancer are treated for several years. Helping people with cancer live high-quality lives at every stage of their illness is the overall goal of palliative care. This article defines palliative care, describes the palliative care team, and discusses end-of-life considerations.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): Information on the safety and effectiveness of CAM, including questions to ask your doctor when considering CAM, risks and potential benefits of CAM, facts about supplements, and how to find reliable CAM resources.

Caring for the Whole Patient: Learn more about the importance of addressing the emotional and social needs of people with cancer, including resources that can help patients and caregivers find assistance.

Managing Your Care: Information on organizing your cancer care, including medical forms to track your medical history, appointment notes, and treatment instructions.

Caregiving: Information for caregivers, including ways to cope with cancer in a loved one, tips on caregiving, and online resources for caregivers.

Sexual and Reproductive Health: Information on coping with fertility and cancer treatment, pregnancy and cancer, menopause and cancer, and where to find support.

Dealing With Cancer Recurrence: Learn more about diagnosing and treating a cancer recurrence.

Drug Information Resources: This section provides a list of prescription drug databases that describe how medications work, the cancers for which they are generally prescribed, safety precautions, and potential side effects.

Health Disparities and Cancer: Find information about health disparities and cancer in the United States and links to additional resources.