Cancer Treatment
Cancer is difficult to recognize in early stages because symptoms are observed in late stages Different therapies are used to cure the cancer. These are chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, gene therapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy or biological and herbal treatment is also useful.
Chemotherapy
In chemotherapy, chemical agents are used to destroy the cancer cells. Normally, after completion of life cycle each cell shows cell death but cancerous cell divides continuously without any break. In chemotherapy, chemicals directly act on DNA and RNA and finally destroy the cell. This therapy show some side effects like nausea, vomiting, low number of RBC and WBC. Chemotherapies are given through mouth or intravenously or by injection or into body cavity like bladder and abdominal cavity.
Radiation therapy
In radiation therapy, radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, protons and neutrons are used to treat cancer. These high energy radiations kill the cancer cells. While treating cancer with this therapy; radiations are bombarded on the target organ or cancer affected part. High energy radiations destroy genetic material i.e. DNA. In radiation therapy main aim is to kill cancer cells but sometime normal body cells are also killed but they recover later.
Surgery
Surgery is an old method to treat cancer. Surgery is performed to identify cancer and its spread. Surgery is a good option for cancer which does not spread in the body. While treating breast cancer, tumor is removed by surgery.
Gene therapy
Mutation or damage in the DNA is one of the important reasons of the cancer. Mutation is caused because of smoking or carcinogens. Mutation leads to miss-behavior of the cell and it starts divide continuously. Damage may be caused due to the addition or deletion of any part of the gene (Gene is made up of DNA, which passes on qualities to next generation). If damaged gene is repaired then it will avoid the cell to become cancerous.
Hormone treatment
A hormone is a fluid secreted by the glands in the body. Molecules of estrogen and progesterone hormone were observed in a cancer cell that promotes the growth of cancer. In females, estrogen and progesterone hormone are secreted by the ovaries, which can lead to the breast cancer. In such condition, ovaries are completely removed or drugs are used to stop the functioning of hormones.
Immunotherapy or biological
This therapy enhances natural fighting ability of the body by increasing power of immune system. There are some naturally occurring substances in the body that builds up our immune system. By injecting these substances, we can increase the resistance power of the body to avoid developing and spreading of cancer.
Herbal treatment
In herbal treatment, Astragalus and Asian ginseng herbs are used. These herbs naturally increase the power of immune system. In china, extracts of the mistletoe, mushrooms are used to cure cancer. Herbal medicines are helpful to cure cancer without any side effects but we can not completely depend on it.
