Cancer Treatment Modalities: Surgery, Radiation, Systemic Therapies, and Supportive Care

Primary Treatment Pillars

1. Surgery: Resection of primary tumor ± lymph nodes; curative for localized solid tumors.
2. Radiation therapy: External beam (EBRT) or brachytherapy; definitive, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative.
3. Chemotherapy: Cytotoxic agents (IV/oral); neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or metastatic settings.
4. Targeted therapy: Small molecules or antibodies against specific molecular drivers (e.g., EGFR, HER2, BCR-ABL, BRAF).
5. Immunotherapy: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4), CAR-T, bispecifics, vaccines.
6. Hormonal therapy: For hormone-dependent cancers (breast, prostate).

Integrative Supportive Care

• Palliative care: Early integration improves symptom control, quality of life, and even survival.
• Nutrition: Adequate protein/calories; manage treatment-related side effects.
• Exercise: Reduces fatigue, preserves muscle, improves mood.
• Psychosocial support: Counseling, support groups, financial navigation.
• Complementary therapies: Acupuncture, mindfulness, yoga (evidence-based, coordinated with oncology team).

Personalized Treatment Planning

Decisions incorporate tumor biology (genomics, biomarkers), stage, patient comorbidities, preferences, and goals of care. Multidisciplinary tumor boards optimize plan selection.