In general, how is cancer treated? I know about some of the specific ways, but it would help to get the big picture.
Methods of treatment and Their Side Effects - National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Types of Treatment - American Cancer Society (ACS)

People tell me I should take some time to get a second opinion or research my diagnosis before I start treatment. Now that I've been diagnosed, I just want to get on with it. Any information on this?
Seeking A Second Opinion - People Living With Cancer

My mother is supposed to start chemotherapy. She is refusing because she knows people in the past got really sick from it. Is there some basic information on chemotherapy I could read to help us know what it's like now?
Chemotherapy: What It Is and How It Helps - ACS
Chemotherapy: Facing Decisions - breastcancer.org

I have several doctors right now; it's hard to keep it straight. Which type of doctor oversees my chemotherapy?
"A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. A medical oncologist often is the main caretaker of someone who has cancer and coordinates treatment provided by other specialists." medical oncologist - NCI Cancer Dictionary

I'm looking for a list of drugs used in cancer treatment.
Approved Oncology Drugs - U.S. Food and Drug Administration

What about drugs that haven't been approved by the FDA yet?
Access to Investigational Drugs: Questions and Answers - NCI

What is radiation therapy?
"The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or from materials called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation and can be placed in or near the tumor or in the area near cancer cells. This type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, interstitial radiation, or brachytherapy. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy, irradiation, and x-ray therapy." radiation therapy - NCI Cancer Dictionary

How does radiation therapy work to shrink a tumor?
Introduction to Cancer Therapy (Radiation Oncology) - RadiologyInfo
Radiation Therapy - NCI
Questions & Answers About Radiation Therapy - ACS

What type of doctor oversees my radiation therapy?
"A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer." radiation oncologist - NCI Cancer Dictionary

What is proton radiation therapy?
"A type of radiation therapy that uses protons generated by a special machine. A proton is a type of high-energy radiation that is different from an x-ray." proton beam radiation therapy - NCI Cancer Dictionary

Understanding Proton Therapy - Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center
What is Proton Therapy? - Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center
History of Proton Therapy - Oncolink

How is it proton therapy different from regular radiation therapy?
Differences between Protons and X-rays - Oncolink

Do you have information on bone marrow and stem cell transplant?
What are the different types of transplants available? - National Bone Marrow Transplant Link
National Bone Marrow Donor Program - Patient Resources
Bone Marrow Transplantation and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation: Questions and Answers - NCI

My cousin is going to be having an allogenic bone marrow transplant and my aunt is the donor. I find these terms confusing. Is there any information on what these terms mean?
Transplantation: Questions and Answers - NCI

I know that surgery for cancer must have made a lot of advances since my aunt had a mastectomy 25 years ago. Can you tell me what some of these advances are?
Division of Surgical Oncology - Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

What is biological cancer therapy? Is it the same as immunotherapy?
"Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy." biological therapy - NCI Dictionary
Biological Therapy - National Cancer Institute
Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers - NCI

How is biological or immunotherapy used in cancer treatment?
Immunotherapy Cancer Treatment - Cancer Supportive Care
What are biologic therapies? - ACS

What exactly is hormone therapy in cancer treatment?
"Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), hormones may be given to block the body's natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the source of hormones. Also called hormone therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy." hormonal therapy - NCI Cancer Dictionary

What is gene therapy?
"Treatment that alters a gene. In studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are trying to improve the body's natural ability to fight the disease or to make the cancer cells more sensitive to other kinds of therapy." gene therapy - NCI Cancer Dictionary

How is gene therapy used to treat cancer?
Questions and Answers about Gene Therapy - NCI
What is Gene Therapy? - American Society of Gene Therapy

What is a vaccine?
"A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. A vaccine can help the body recognize and destroy cancer cells or microorganisms." vaccine - NCI Cancer Dicionary

I'm familiar with vaccines for childhood illnesses. How are vaccines used to treat cancer?
Cancer Vaccine Fact Sheet - NCI

What are angiogenesis inhibitors?
"A substance that may prevent the formation of blood vessels. In anticancer therapy, an angiogenesis inhibitor prevents the growth of blood vessels from surrounding tissue to a solid tumor." angiogenesis inhibitor - NCI Cancer Dictionary

How are angiogenesis inhibitors used to treat cancer?
Understanding Angiogenesis - Angiogenesis Foundation
Angiogenesis Inhibitors - NCI

My wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer. We know that we'll have to make choices about treatment. Do you have an overview about these choices?
Choice: Making Decisions about Your Care - National Breast Cancer coalition Fund
Treatment Decision Tools - ACS
Breast Cancer Questions - ACS

I've been diagnosed with prostate cancer and my doctor is talking about watchful waiting. What is this?
"Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change. Also called observation." watchful waiting - NCI Dictionary
Detailed Guide: Prostate Cancer - Expectant Management (Watchful Waiting) - ACS
Watchful waiting - Prostate Cancer Institute

I tried to reach my mother's oncologist recently and got his "nurse practitioner" instead. My mother says she prescribes medication for her. I thought only a doctor could do that. What kind of nurse is she and how can she help us?
Nurse Practitioners - Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

I've heard the term clinical trials a lot. Do you have anything really brief that would give me the big picture on this?
Ten Things to Know about Cancer Treatment Trials - NCI
Clinical Trials: Questions and Answers - NCI

Do you have information on clinical trials going on at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center?
Clinical Trials and Research - Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Do you have a list of websites, books, and other resources on cancer treatments?
Information Finder on Treatment

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Managing Side Effects

Revised 2008