Understanding You Treatment Options

Cancer is different for each patient, so our approach to treatment varies. At Sacramento Clinic for Hematology and Medical Oncology, our clinical team evaluates the latest advances and proven treatments to identify a treatment plan that meets your individual needs. In making recommendations about your treatment, we will consider many factors, including your medical history, current health, and risks and benefits of various treatment options. When discussing your treatment options, we will also want you to know our goals and expected results for the treatment, as well as what can be expected during the treatment process.

There are four major types of treatment for cancer: biologic/targeted therapies, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Each of these can be used alone or, often times, patients will receive a combination of treatment types.

B i o l o g i c   a n d   T a r g e t e d   T h e r a p y
Some of the newest and most promising areas of cancer treatment are biologic therapies and other so-called "targeted" therapies. A biologic therapy is a drug that is manufactured from, or is otherwise similar to, substances produced by living cells, as opposed to a chemical like chemotherapy. Targeted therapies are drugs that attack cancer by "zooming in" on specific parts of cancer cells. Some of these drugs are given by IV in the office, while others may be taken as pills at home. Many of these types of drugs are safer and have fewer side effects than older chemotherapy drugs. Our oncologists will determine if you are a candidate for a treatment with these types of drugs and will explain all that is involved in administering them.

C h e m o t h e r a p y
Chemotherapy treats cancer with drugs that interfere with cancer cell growth and reproduction. These cancer-fighting drugs target and attack cancerous cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.

Today, there are many different types of chemotherapy drugs. Some drugs are administered in our office through an IV, while others are taken orally at home. Our medical oncologists and specially-trained oncology nurses work closely with oncology-trained admixture technicians to manage dosages and monitor patient progress as well as possible side effects, to ensure the best treatment plans to fight your specific disease.

R a d i a t i o n   T h e r a p y
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. It may be used prior to surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to keep the tumors from growing back.

S u r g e r y
For some types of cancer, surgery is used to remove tumors from the body. Often, patients who undergo surgery also receive chemotherapy.