Treatment Protocols for Cancer

How is cancer treated?

Healthcare providers follow specific guidelines for treating cancer. These protocols help providers know what treatment to use as well as the dose and schedule. The protocols are based on research. Your healthcare provider will decide on your specific cancer treatment based on:

The type of cancer
Your overall health and your health history
Extent of the disease, including grade, stage, and location
Your ability to handle certain medicines, procedures, or therapies
Outlook for the course of the disease
Your opinion or preference

What are the goals of treatment?

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.