Drug therapy is used to help cancer patients in a variety of ways. The different types of therapies available work to destroy cancer cells, stop them from spreading, slow down their growth, or relieve the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. At Southcoast Health, we are here to provide support every step of the way throughout your cancer journey in hopes to make it as smooth as possible.
The goal of chemotherapy and other drug therapies depends on the type of cancer and its stage. Some patients may only need one type of treatment, while others may have a combination of treatments prescribed to them.
Also called chemo, chemotherapy helps destroy cancer cells or make them less active. Because cancer cells multiply much quicker than most of the other types of cells in your body, chemotherapy uses powerful chemicals to target and kill fast-growing cells. This type of drug therapy can be used in a variety of ways. Examples include:
Often used to treat breast and prostate cancer, hormonal drug therapy changes certain hormones to destroy cancer cells or slow down their growth. It is sometimes used to shrink a tumor before radiation therapy, so radiation can be administered to a smaller area.
Biological therapy involves the use of living organisms to help treat disease. It helps strengthen your immune system so it can destroy cancer cells and stop them from returning.
Targeted therapy changes the way cancer cells behave, in order to stop them from growing and spreading. This type of drug therapy works by targeting specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to the cancer’s growth and survival.
Supportive drugs help cancer patients manage the side effects that either cancer or their cancer treatment can cause. Depending on the type and severity of the cancer, supportive drugs can prevent, manage, or relieve these uncomfortable side effects.
Each type of drug therapy has its own unique process and side effects. Typically, for patients receiving chemotherapy, it will be administered at the Southcoast Cancer Center in Fairhaven or Fall River. Most people get IV treatments as an “outpatient,” which means you don’t need to stay overnight. Others may require an overnight hospital admission. IV treatment can last anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours.
Because chemotherapy can affect some fast-growing healthy cells, there are often side effects from this type of drug therapy.
How a patient receives drug therapy is dependent on the type of cancer and which drugs are used. Drug therapies are most commonly given:
Southcoast Health is proud to offer scalp cooling services to patients who are a good fit. Scalp cooling, also known as cold capping, is the only effective way to help reduce and manage chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
The cooling cap, which comes in two sections (an inner cap and an outer cover), is worn for a little while before, during, and for some time after your chemotherapy infusion. The cap is attached to a system, which circulates coolant liquid around the inner cap, reducing the temperature of your scalp. Reducing the temperature of the scalp helps to protect the hair follicles and limits the damage caused by the chemotherapy drugs.
Scalp cooling is a safe treatment with some potential side effects that could include:
Your healthcare professionals can advise you if scalp cooling is likely to be successful with your chemotherapy treatment, or whether any other treatments.
Our team at Southcoast Cancer Center is dedicated to providing thorough and compassionate care, no matter what type of cancer you are facing. We will determine the right drug therapy and course of treatment to meet your personal health needs. Patients with a new diagnosis of cancer can expect to receive an appointment with a Southcoast Health Oncology specialist within 24 to 48 hours. Please contact us today to learn more about our services throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island or to schedule your appointment.
Southcoast Health is a not-for-profit, charitable, community-based health system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.