Cancer is very complicated to treat. Treatment plans involve the consideration of many variables, including the type of cancer, stage of the disease, and the patient's overall condition. The goal may be to cure the cancer completely, to control the spread of the cancer, or to relieve its symptoms. The most common cancer treatment methods are:

Surgery - Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment - Radiation Therapy Cancer Treatment - Hormonal Therapy Cancer Treatment - Targeted Therapy Cancer Treatment

In some cases, using multiple cancer treatment modalities is most effective in treating cancer.

Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to destroy cancerous cells. The drugs are administered orally or through an IV injection. They then circulate in the bloodstream with the goal of reaching any parts of the body where the cancer may have spread.

More than half of all cancer patients receive chemotherapy treatment. Although there may be harsh side effects associated with this treatment, recent advances in medicine have allowed physicians to control and even prevent some of them, allowing patients to maintain a higher quality of life throughout treatment.

Radiation Therapy Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy uses focused, high-energy radiation to damage or kill cancer cells and to inhibit further growth of the cancer. Because radiation treatment is administered locally to the site, it is most useful for cancer that has not spread throughout the body.

Hormonal Therapy Cancer Treatment

Hormonal therapy is used when the cancer's growth is spurred by the absorption of naturally occurring hormones in the body. These cancers affect hormone-sensitive tissues such as the prostate or the breasts. In these cases, your doctor may decide to limit or block hormone production by administering certain drugs, or he or she may opt for removing the organs that produce the hormone feeding the cancer. Like chemotherapy, hormone therapy is effective against cancers that have spread throughout the body.

Targeted Therapies Cancer Treatment

Targeted therapies are intended to target only the cancer cells while limiting damage to the surrounding normal cells. Conventional cancer therapies are unable to distinguish between cancerous cells and healthy cells. These side effects can be severe, significantly reducing the patient's quality of life and compromising their ability to continue with treatment. The intention of targeted therapies is to increase the effectiveness of cancer therapy and reduce the negative side effects often associated with whole-body treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery

Surgery may be performed as a tool to help diagnose cancer or as a treatment method. A common form of diagnostic surgery is a biopsy, where the doctor takes a sample of tissue from the afflicted area and runs tests to determine if it is cancerous or not.

Surgery for cancer treatment involves the excision of cancerous cells and some of the adjacent tissues (to ensure that all of the cancer is removed). In addition to removing the cancer, your doctor is able to gather information during the surgery about your condition that can serve as an aid for evaluating further treatment options and chances of recurrence.

How Cancer Treatments Can Affect Eating

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Remember, there aren't any hard and fast nutrition rules during cancer treatment. Some patients may continue to enjoy eating and have a normal appetite throughout most of their cancer treatment. Others may have days when they don't feel like eating at all; even the thought of food may make them feel sick. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• When you can eat, try to eat meals and snacks with sufficient protein and calories; they will help you keep up your strength, prevent body tissues from breaking down, and rebuild tissues that cancer treatment may harm.
• Many people find their appetite is better in the morning. Take advantage of this and eat more then. Consider having your main meal of the day early, and have liquid meal replacements later on if you don't feel so interested in eating.
• If you don't feel well and can eat only one or two things, stick with them until you are able to eat other foods. Try a liquid meal replacement for extra calories and protein.
• On those days when you can't eat at all, don't worry about it. Do what you can to make yourself feel better. Come back to eating as soon as you can, and let your doctor know if this problem doesn't get better within a couple of days.
• Try to drink plenty of fluids, especially on those days when you don't feel like eating. Water is essential to your body's proper functioning, so getting enough fluids will ensure that your body has the water it needs. For most adults, 6-8 cups of fluid a day are a good target. Try carrying a water bottle with you during the day. That may help you get into the habit of drinking plenty of fluids.

Managing Eating Problems During Treatment

•	Loss of Appetite	•	Dental And Gum Problems	•	Lactose Intolerance
•	Weight Loss	•	Changed Sense of Taste or Smell	•	Constipation
•	Weight Gain	•	Nausea	•	Fatigue and Depression
•	Sore Mouth or Throat	•	Vomiting	•	Preventing Food-Borne Illness
•	Dry Mouth	•	Diarrhea	•	What About Alternative Therapies