Health Encyclopedia

Cancer treatment information

Alternative Names

Cancer warning signs

Information

The goals of cancer treatment are to:

Kill or remove cancer cells
Prevent or delay the cancer from coming back
Treat cancer symptoms (if the cancer can not be cured)

The types of treatment depend on the specific type of cancer, but may include:

Chemotherapy
Radiation
Surgery

You may receive more than one type of treatment. This is called combined therapy.

Cancer warning signs include:

A change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or drainage
Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
Indigestion or swallowing difficulty
A change in a wart or mole
Persistent cough or hoarseness

It is important to note that these symptoms may also be due to conditions other than cancer.

The following articles offer more detailed information:

For information on cancer-related organizations, please see Cancer - support groups.

Review Date:10/18/2008
Reviewed By:David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.