Advanced Cancer

Advanced Cancer Treatment in India - What Treatment Options Are Available?

Advanced cancer means the disease has spread from where it started. This short explains the main approaches to treatment and how they may be combined to control the cancer and manage symptoms.

What is advanced cancer

Advanced cancer is also known as metastatic or stage 4 cancer. Treatment aims to control the cancer's growth and improve your quality of life.

• Spread from the original site. It means cancer cells have travelled through the bloodstream or lymph system to form new tumours in other parts of the body.
• Focus of treatment. The goal is often to shrink the cancer or stop it from growing, relieve symptoms, and help you live longer.
• Long-term control. While a cure is less common, modern treatments can sometimes control advanced cancer for months or years.

Types of treatment

Treatment for advanced cancer is often complex and may involve a combination of methods.

• Systemic therapies. These are drugs that travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells all over the body. They include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy.
• Local therapies. These treatments target a specific area. They include radiation therapy or surgery, which may be used to control a tumour that is causing pain or other problems.
• Palliative care. This is specialist care focused on relieving symptoms like pain, fatigue, or sickness. It can be provided at any stage of illness, alongside other cancer treatments.

How a treatment plan is decided

Your plan is created by a team of different cancer specialists.

• The type of cancer. The plan depends on the original cancer and its specific biological or genetic makeup.
• Where it has spread. The location and number of secondary tumours will influence the choice of treatment.
• Your general health. Your overall fitness and any other medical conditions are important factors in deciding what treatment you can have.
• Tumour board review. A multidisciplinary team of doctors will review your case to recommend the best course of action.

The suitability of any particular treatment depends on your individual case. A final decision can only be made after a specialist has reviewed your full medical reports and recent imaging.