Types of treatment
Most people who experience symptoms of cancer see their GP who will examine them and, if necessary, refer them to a specialist for tests and treatments.
The tests involved may include x-rays, blood tests and possibly scans. A biopsy (a sample taken of the lump or abnormal area) may need to be performed to establish what type of cancer it is.
Scans can measure the size of the cancer and whether it has spread to other tissues or nearby lymph glands. This process is called 'staging'.
The tests and investigations will depend on the type of cancer. They include:
- Barium meal
- Barium swallow
- Biopsy
- Blood tests
- Bone marrow
- Bronchoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- CT scan
- Endoscopy
- Faecal occult blood
- Mammography
- Mediastinoscopy
- MRI scan
- PET.CT scan
- Radiostope scan
- Tumour markers
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
HCA hospitals which provide these services:
The Harley Street Clinic
The Lister Hospital
London Bridge Hospital
The Portland Hospital
The Princess Grace Hospital
The Wellington Hospital
Make an appointment or find a specialist.
For general information on surgical options:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Surgery means treating illness by cutting away body tissue. It is one of the main treatments for cancer. Usually a surgical knife (scalpel) is used but high-energy light beams (lasers) can also be used to cut through body tissue.
Cryotherapy is a type of surgery which uses a freezing probe to remove tissues.
Cancer surgery can be used for:
- Diagnosis - a small piece of tissue is removed to confirm diagnosis of cancer. This is called a biopsy.
- Treatment - to remove the tumour or nearby tissues which might contain cancer cells.
- Staging - this process is used to work out the size of the cancer and whether it has spread.
- Reconstruction - for example, breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
- Palliation - if the cancer can not be completely removed or cured, surgery may help by removing a tumour to reduce the effects.
HCA hospitals which provide these services:
The Harley Street Clinic
The Lister Hospital
London Bridge Hospital
The Portland Hospital
The Princess Grace Hospital
The Wellington Hospital
Make an appointment or find a specialist surgeon.
For general information on surgical options:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
New advances in surgical techniques include the Gamma Knife which uses radiosurgery for non-invasive treatment of tumours.
Radiotherapy, also called radiation therapy, is the treatment of cancer and other diseases with ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation deposits energy that injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the 'target tissue') by damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow. Although radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, the latter are able to repair themselves and function properly. Radiotherapy may be used to treat a wide range of solid tumours, such as cancers of the skin, tongue, larynx, brain, breast, colon, prostate or uterine cervix. It can also be used to treat leukaemia and lymphoma (cancers of the blood-forming cells and lymphatic system, respectively).
Radiotherapy treatment is given using powerful linear accelerators.
HCA hospitals which provide these services:
The Harley Street Clinic
For general information on radiotherapy:
Chemotherapy involves using anti-cancer drugs to help control or prevent the growth of cancerous tumours. Chemotherapy is often used as an adjuvant (supplemental) therapy in addition to other treatments, such as surgery or radiotherapy, which are designed to achieve local control of the cancer.
Click here to find out about some new anti-cancer drugs.
HCA hospitals which provide these services:
The Harley Street Clinic
The Lister Hospital
London Bridge Hospital
Make an appointment or find a specialist oncologist.
For further information about our chemotherapy services, contact the Macmillan Information Specialist on 020 7299 9440.
For general information on chemotherapy:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Supportive or palliative care refers to treatment and support aimed at improving quality of life, rather than curing a disease. Palliative care is often associated only with controlling pain although it is much more than that.
A palliative approach means looking at the needs of the whole person, not just the disease. While controlling symptoms is an important aspect of palliative care, it also encompasses the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient.
Palliative care is most associated with advanced disease; however people with primary cancer also benefit from this holistic approach.
HCA hospitals which provide this service:
The Harley Street Clinic
The Lister Hospital
London Bridge Hospital
For further information about our supportive and palliative care services, contact the Macmillan Information Specialist on 020 7299 9440.
When would a patient be treated with Brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy is a good alternative for patients seeking to minimise the side effects associated with radical surgery and radiotherapy.
Indications
For the treatment of localised prostate cancer.
Description
Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the placement of radioactive iodine-125 titanium seeds directly into the prostate under ultrasound guidance.
How does it work?
Brachytherapy is a two-stage procedure requiring two (generally) outpatient admissions and anaesthetics. The first admission involves a ‘pre-implant planning session’ followed by a second admission, 2-4 weeks later, at which time the implant is carried out. No incision is necessary as the doctor implants the seeds by inserting needles into the skin between the scrotum and rectum.
Safety
Because the seeds are implanted with a needle guided by ultrasound, the procedure is generally very well tolerated. Of 115 patients treated with brachytherapy between 2003 and 2005, 96% were discharged within 16 hours of the implant.
Average duration of treatment
Patients are generally admitted as day cases on two separate occasions.
Supporting evidence
Outcomes for Prostate Brachytherapy are comparable to surgery, and long-term data shows that this therapy, when used to treat early, localised prostate cancer, has a relapse-free survival rate of 85%.
What it’s replacing/is it additional?
Brachytherapy is an alternative to radical surgery and radiotherapy for patients with early, localised prostate cancer.
Benefits
- Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive therapy that minimises damage to tissue surrounding the prostate.
- Treatment can generally be completed with two outpatient visits, with minimal effects to surrounding tissues.
- Patients can generally resume a normal lifestyle within a couple of days.
For more information
Please visit: http://www.theprincessgracehospital.com/brachytherapy.php
References
Rick Popert; Hospital Brief, The HCA Magazine for Consultants, Page 13; Issue One, Summer 2006
When would a patient be treated with HIFU?
Patients who are ineligible for (or do not wish to have) surgery can be treated with HIFU.
Indications
For the treatment of localised prostate cancer.
Description
HIFU is a non-invasive ultrasound therapy for localised prostate cancer.
How does it work?
Patients are given regional anaesthesia and a probe is inserted into their rectum. The probe emits a high intensity beam of radiation that elevates the temperature of the tissue at the point of focus. The rise in heat destroys the tumour cells at the target and, by repeating the application of the beam, it is possible to destroy the whole tumour.
Safety
Because the ultrasound is focused on the tumour there is generally minimal damage to the rectal wall and surrounding nerves and vessels.
Average duration of treatment
Patients are generally admitted as day cases.
What it’s replacing/is it additional?
HIFU can be used as an alternative to prostate surgery. It is also an effective treatment for patients who have a recurrence of cancer after having received conventional radiotherapy.
Benefits
- HIFU is a non-invasive therapy that avoids damage to nerves surrounding the prostate.
- Treatment can generally be completed in one day with minimal effects to surrounding tissues.
- Although a catheter must remain in place for up to three weeks after the procedure, patients can generally resume a normal lifestyle almost immediately.
NICE status
HIFU has not yet been approved by NICE because of the lack of patient outcomes data.
References
Chris Ogden; Hospital Brief, The HCA Magazine for Consultants, Page 11; Issue One, Summer 2006
The contents of these pages are to be used for information purposes only and are not intended for use by clinicians or other. Individual patient needs, such as the type and duration of treatment, are a clinical decision and will vary depending on the patient's response and tolerability to a treatment or procedure. A patient should always ask their GP or specialist if treatment is appropriate for their condition.
Click here to find out about some new anti-cancer treatments.
