There are many types of cancer. There are separate pages for breast cancer and prostate cancer. At this page you can find information about the treatment methods for other cancer types, such as:
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Colon cancer
- Head-throat cancer
Surgery
By means of surgery, tumours and/or metastases can be removed from the body. Sometimes the surgeons do not succeed in removing the whole tumour.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy)
Radiotherapy involves applying radiation to kill the tumour cells. Radiotherapy can replace surgery, can be done before the surgery (to reduce tumour size) or after the surgery (to kill remaining tumour cells). Most kinds of radiotherapy are performed 'externally', meaning that the radiation source is placed outside of the body and aimed at the tumour. In some cases, it is possible to put the radiation source in or nearby the tumour, causing the tumour to be destroyed from the inside ('internal radiotherapy').
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves applying substances that are poisonous to tumour cells. These substances are to lesser extent harmful to other dividing cells, such as skin-, hair- and gut cells. Fortunately, healthy cells usually heal better than tumour cells from the damage that the chemotherapy has caused. Chemotherapy can be applied via the blood stream (infusion), via the skin (injection) or via the mouth (tablet or drink).
Hormone therapy
Treatments using hormones or anti-hormones can be useful when dealing with tumours in hormone sensitive organs, such as the genitals.
Antibodies
Some tumours can be tackled by applying antibodies. These antibodies bind to the tumour cells, which makes it easier for the body to defeat the tumour cells.
Treatments that focus only on the symptoms
There are many treatments that help against the symptoms of the cancer or against the adverse effects of other treatments, without actually affecting the tumour itself. They can involve painkillers, drugs against nausea, physiotherapy, psychotherapy and so on.
Fertility options
If you have cancer, there are still options to have children.
Cancer after care
Despite large differences between patients with cancer, most control visits after treatment are scheduled according to fixed protocols. The added value of such standard visits for survival is not always evidence-based. In that case, care can be more patient-led, according to the needs and preferences of the individual patient.
Palliative care
All the treatments mentioned above can be used palliatively as well. The palliative phase starts when the cancer can no longer be cured. Examples are first-line palliative chemotherapy or second-line palliative chemotherapy for breast cancer or colon cancer. The aim of a palliative treatment is primarily to retain the quality of life.
Decision aids
Choosing the right medical treatment can be hard. There are guidelines with recommendations about this, but they offer space for your personal preferences. The decision aids listed below give you more information on the pros and cons of the recommended treatments for certain types of cancer and they can help you form an opinion. You can then discuss this opinion with your doctor.
Despite large differences between patients with cancer, most control visits after treatment are scheduled according to fixed protocols. The added value of such standard visits for survival is not always evidence-based. In that case, care can be more patient-led, according to the needs and preferences of the individual patient.
N.B. Please ensure that you use only those decision aids concerning the right type and stage of the cancer.
Lung cancer (ASCO): chemotherapy or not after surgery for stage 1B, 2, or 3 lung cancer EN
Lung cancer (ASCO): chemotherapy or not for stage 4 lung cancer: multiple decision aids EN
Early stage lung cancer: decision aid NL
Bladder cancer: removal of the bladder with or without chemotherapy NL
Continuing chemotherapy or not in ovarian cancer that does not respond to treatment EN
Cancer (OHRI): multiple decision aids about the treatment methods for different types of cancer EN
University of Sydney: Metastatic colorectal cancer: What are the treatment options? EN
Colon cancer: second-line palliative chemotherapy NL
After care for head-throat cancer: mouth, throat, and larynx cancer NL
Fertility preservation: fertility preservation options EN