Cancer treatment aims to remove or destroy cancer cells while preserving organ function and improving survival.
Cancer is typically treated using surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, either alone or in combination, depending on the type and stage of cancer.
Traditional cancer treatment approaches include:
Surgery: Removes cancerous tumours from the body
Chemotherapy: Uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells
Radiotherapy: Uses high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells
Treatment plans are personalised based on the type, stage and location of the cancer. Depending on the condition, doctors may remove larger tumours through surgery first, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells and preventing them from multiplying, helping to control or eliminate cancer. Because cancer cells divide more quickly than most normal cells, they are more vulnerable to these medications.
Chemotherapy may be used:
As a primary treatment to destroy cancer cells
As an adjuvant treatment after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence
To relieve symptoms in advanced stages of cancer
Chemotherapy can be administered in several ways, including:
Orally (tablets or capsules)
Intravenously (IV)
Injections, such as intramuscular or subcutaneous
Direct delivery to a specific area (e.g. tumour site or artery)
Topical application for certain skin conditions
During treatment, routine blood tests are required to monitor how the body responds to chemotherapy.
If blood cell levels drop too low, treatment may be temporarily paused and resumed once levels recover.
Chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also some healthy cells in the body. This is why side effects may occur during treatment.
Depending on the type of drugs used, common side effects of chemotherapy include:
Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness or low energy
Nausea and vomiting: Often triggered by the effects of chemotherapy on the digestive system
Reduced blood cell counts: May increase the risk of infections, anaemia or bleeding
Oral ulcers: Painful sores in the mouth or throat
Hair loss: Temporary hair thinning or loss
Constipation or diarrhoea: Changes in bowel habits
Skin changes: Dry, itchy or flaky skin
Hearing changes: In some cases, certain drugs may affect hearing
Numbness or tingling: Nerve-related symptoms affecting the hands or feet
Medications and supportive care may be provided to help manage these side effects and improve comfort during treatment.
Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to treat cancer by shrinking tumours, destroying cancer cells and preventing them from growing.
Radiotherapy may be used in different stages of treatment, depending on the condition:
Before surgery (neoadjuvant treatment): To shrink tumours and improve the chances of complete surgical removal
After surgery (adjuvant treatment): To eliminate remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence
As a primary treatment: When surgery is not suitable, either on its own or in combination with chemotherapy
For symptom relief (palliative care): To reduce pain or control symptoms in advanced or terminal stages
Radiotherapy may also be used in certain non-cancerous (benign) tumours and some blood-related (haematological) conditions.
Radiotherapy can be delivered in different ways, depending on the type and location of the cancer. The main types of radiotherapy are external radiation, internal radiation (brachytherapy) and systemic radiation.
External radiation involves directing high-energy beams from a machine outside the body to target cancer cells in a specific area.
This is the most commonly used type of radiotherapy. Techniques such as 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allow for precise targeting of tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Internal radiation, also known as brachytherapy, involves placing a radioactive source or implant inside the body, close to or within the tumour.
This allows radiation to be delivered directly to cancer cells with minimal exposure to nearby healthy tissues.
It is commonly used to treat cancers such as breast, cervical, prostate, head and neck cancers.
Systemic radiation involves the use of radioactive substances that are taken orally or given through an injection.
These substances travel through the bloodstream to target cancer cells throughout the body.
Radiotherapy targets cancer cells in a specific area, but it can also affect nearby healthy tissues. As a result, side effects may occur depending on the treatment site and radiation dose.
Common side effects of radiotherapy include fatigue, skin changes, appetite loss and localised symptoms depending on the area being treated.
Common side effects include:
Fatigue: A general feeling of tiredness that may build up over the course of treatment
Nausea or vomiting: More likely when the abdomen or digestive system is treated
Decreased appetite
Skin changes: Redness, dryness, itching or peeling in the treated area
Hair loss (localised): Occurs only in the area receiving radiation
Skin thickening or pigmentation changes: May develop over time in the treated area
Digestive symptoms: Such as diarrhoea or rectal irritation (e.g. mucositis), especially when the pelvic area is treated
Urinary symptoms: Such as frequent urination or bladder irritation
Reproductive effects:
In women: Possible ovarian dysfunction, early menopause, or vaginal dryness
In men: Possible reduced sperm count or sexual dysfunction
The severity of side effects varies depending on the area treated, radiation dose and individual health condition. Supportive care, including medications and topical treatments, may be provided to help manage symptoms.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are both commonly used cancer treatments, but they work in different ways and are used for different purposes.
Chemotherapy treats cancer using drugs that work throughout the body, while radiotherapy uses targeted radiation to treat cancer in a specific area.
Prince Court Medical Centre is equipped with advanced radiotherapy technology to deliver precise and personalised cancer treatment while minimising impact on surrounding healthy tissues.
The Elekta Versa HD is a modern radiotherapy system designed to deliver highly targeted radiation with improved accuracy, shorter treatment times and enhanced patient comfort.
This technology supports a range of advanced radiotherapy techniques, including:
Delivers highly precise radiation doses with adjustable beam intensities
Improves tumour coverage while protecting nearby healthy tissues
Helps reduce side effects and improve treatment outcomes
Uses continuous rotating beams to deliver radiation from multiple angles
Enhances tumour targeting and dose distribution
Reduces overall treatment time and improves patient comfort
Uses imaging before each treatment session to improve accuracy
Accounts for patient positioning and internal organ movement
Helps ensure radiation is delivered precisely to the intended area
Delivers high doses of radiation in fewer treatment sessions
Targets tumours in areas such as the lungs and liver
Minimises damage to surrounding healthy tissue
A non-invasive treatment option for certain brain tumours
Delivers highly focused radiation in one or a few sessions
Reduces exposure to healthy brain tissue
Uses breathing control technology to account for tumour movement during treatment
Improves accuracy when treating cancers in the lungs and liver
Helps ensure radiation is delivered more precisely to the tumour site
Prince Court Medical Centre provides comprehensive cancer care tailored to each patient’s condition, cancer type and stage.
Our multidisciplinary team works closely to develop personalised treatment plans, combining approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to achieve the best possible outcomes.
We focus on delivering effective treatment while supporting patients throughout their care journey, from diagnosis to recovery.
Book an appointment today to speak to our oncology team at Prince Court Medical Centre to better understand your condition and explore the most appropriate treatment options.
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