Cancer treatment varies depending on the type, stage, and location of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Common cancer treatments include:

1. Surgery

* Purpose: To remove tumors or cancerous tissues.
* When used: Typically for localized cancers that have not spread.
* Procedure: Depending on the cancer type, it may involve removing the entire tumor, surrounding tissue, or even parts of an organ.

2. Chemotherapy

* Purpose: To kill cancer cells using powerful drugs.
* When used: Can be applied systemically (throughout the body) or regionally (targeting specific areas).
* Side effects: Nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and a weakened immune system.

3. Radiation Therapy

* Purpose: To destroy cancer cells using high doses of radiation.
* When used: Often for localized cancers; can be used before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
* Types: External beam radiation (outside the body) or internal radiation (implants near the tumor).

4. Immunotherapy

* Purpose: Helps the immune system fight cancer.
* When used: Effective for certain cancers, like melanoma and lung cancer.
* Methods: Drugs like checkpoint inhibitors or CAR T-cell therapy that enhance the body's natural defenses.

5. Targeted Therapy

* Purpose: Targets specific molecules or genes in cancer cells.
* When used: Particularly useful for cancers that have specific genetic mutations, like HER2-positive breast cancer.
* How it works: Attacks only cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

6. Hormone Therapy

* Purpose: Treats cancers that rely on hormones to grow, such as breast and prostate cancers.
* How it works: Blocks the body’s ability to produce hormones or interferes with how hormones work.

7. Stem Cell Transplant

* Purpose: Replaces damaged bone marrow after high doses of chemotherapy or radiation.
* When used: Often for blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.
* Types: Autologous (from the patient’s own body) or allogeneic (from a donor).

8. Clinical Trials

* Purpose: Offers access to new, experimental treatments.
* When used: For patients who have not responded to standard treatments or for those seeking cutting-edge therapies.

9. Palliative Care

* Purpose: Focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.
* When used: Can be provided alongside curative treatment or on its own to manage pain, nausea, or other symptoms.

The choice of treatment depends on various factors and is often personalized to the individual’s needs, sometimes combining multiple approaches for the most effective outcome.