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Over 1.6 million new cases of cancer are discovered each year, but thanks to cutting-edge cancer treatments, the National Cancer Institute estimates that over 19 million people will survive their diagnosis by 2024. According to the medical team at Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC in Anchorage, medical innovations are responsible for these growing survival rates. If you or a loved one recently received a cancer diagnosis, it’s crucial to understand what treatments are available.

4 Types of Cancer Treatment

1. Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy

When surgery isn’t an option, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can slow and potentially eliminate the spread of cancer. By introducing drugs into the body, chemotherapy combats cancer cells, shrinking tumors or destroying the disease altogether. When drugs aren’t effective, an oncologist may suggest radiation therapy. By exposing cancer cells and tumors to high doses of regulated radiation—similar to those used in X-rays—they can be shrunken or eliminated.

2. Surgery

cancer treatmentWhen the cancerous tissue or tumor is easily accessible, surgery is a viable option for treating cancer. Based on the size of the target area, surgery may require extensive operating or be minimally invasive. This is the most common form of cancer treatment and is sometimes paired with other methods to ensure lingering cancer cells are destroyed.

3. Targeted Therapy

Rather than destroying cancer cells, targeted therapy focuses on causing them to self-destruct. This cancer treatment uses drugs and antibodies to reach the charges within cancer cells that cause them to grow and spread. As targeted therapy reigns in malicious cells, it prolongs patient lives and allows physicians to explore supplementary treatments.

4. Immunotherapy

As cancer weakens the body, the immune system becomes unable to fight off infections and diseases, as well as cancerous cells. To combat this, immunotherapy focuses on boosting the immune system. On a cellular level, antibodies and cancer-fighting cells are introduced into the body. They then target cancerous cells, attacking and destroying them. Some antibodies also identify and isolate cancer cells so the immune system can focus on destroying them.

If you or a loved one are seeking cancer treatment, turn to Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC. They offer a variety of treatment options and services and are dedicated to preserving your well-being. Call (907) 279-3155 today to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their practice.

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