Other Cancer Treatments
In addition to chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, there are other treatments that are used to help fight cancer.
Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation
Bone marrow is the soft, sponge-like tissue found inside the bones. Bone marrow contains hematopoietic, or blood-forming stem cells, which divide to create more blood-forming stem cells. These cells grow into infection-fighting white blood cells, oxygen-carrying red blood cells, and platelets, which aid in clotting. Umbilical cords also contain blood-forming stem cells. Both bone marrow and umbilical cord cells may be used in transplants.
Bone marrow transplantation, or BMT, is a procedure used to help the body replenish any stem cells that have been destroyed during chemotherapy or radiation therapies. The three kinds of transplants are:
- Autologous transplants– Patients store and then receive their own stem cells
- Syngeneic transplants– Patients receive stem cells from their identical twin
- Allogeneic transplants– Patients receive stem cells from a relative or an unrelated person who is a positive match
Immunotherapy or Biotherapy
Immunotherapy, or biotherapy, uses parts of the body’s immune system to fight diseases such as cancer. Immunotherapy either stimulates the patient’s immune system to be stronger and fight the cancer cells on its own or boosts the immune system with man-made proteins. Typically, immunotherapy is used along with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Targeted Therapies
Targeted cancer therapies use drugs to stop carcinogenesis—the development of cancer cells—and tumor growth. These therapies, also called molecular-targeted drugs, focus on molecular and cellular processes within the tumor. Targeted cancer therapies generally cause less harm to the patient’s normal, healthy cells and may be more effective than other treatments. Most targeted cancer therapies are still in testing, but some have been approved for use in the United States.
