How is cancer treated?
Doctors follow specific guidelines for treating cancer. These protocols help doctors know what treatment to use as well as the dose and schedule. The protocols are based on research. Your doctor will decide on your specific cancer treatment based on:
-
The type of cancer.
-
Your overall health and your health history.
-
The extent of the disease, including grade, stage, and location.
-
Your ability to handle certain medicines, procedures, or therapies.
-
The outlook for the course of the disease.
-
Your opinion or preference.
What is the goal of treatment?
The goal of treatment may be to:
-
Cure the cancer (remission).
-
Prevent the return of the cancer (recurrence).
-
Prolong life (when remission or cure is not possible).
-
Ease the symptoms. This is called palliation. Palliation is treatment for a symptom of the cancer, such as pain. It's not a treatment for the cancer itself. The goal of palliation is to improve the quality of life and provide comfort and support.
What are the common types of cancer treatment?
You may receive one or more type of treatment. The usual methods for treating cancer include:
-
Surgery.
-
Radiation therapy.
-
Chemotherapy.
-
Hormone therapy.
-
Immunotherapy or biological therapy.
-
Targeted therapy.
-
Stem cell transplant.
Featured in
Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Sabrina Felson MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Todd Gersten MD
Date Last Reviewed: 04/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Need Help? We're Here for You
Our Member Services team is here to help you understand your benefits, find care, or resolve concerns.
1-800-510-9132
Call NC Quitline
Need support to quit smoking, vaping, or to quit other nicotine products? You can receive support including medicines free of charge:
1-800-784-8669
Schedule Transportation
Need transportation to a doctor's office, pharmacy, or other covered healthcare service? Contact us to arrange your ride.
1-800-510-9132
Provider Directory
Need to find a provider like a Primary Care Physician, Specialist, OB/GYN, or a Psychiatrist?
Provider DirectoryRelated Articles
Treating Breast Cancer: Adjuvant Therapy
If you have breast cancer, you will have many treatment choices. Your choices may include one or more types of adjuvant therapy. These are treatments used after surgery.
Endometrial Cancer: Treatment Choices
There are various treatment choices for endometrial cancer. Which may work best for you depends on a number of factors. These include the location and stage of the cancer. Learn more about the treatment choices for endometrial cancer.
Breast Cancer: Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is the use of medicines that target parts of cancer cells that make them unlike normal cells. They do this without affecting most normal, healthy cells.
Uterine Sarcoma: Hormone Therapy
Detailed information about hormone treatment for uterine sarcoma.
