Medical Oncology

In the fight against cancer, medical oncology must offer a broad range of options in the treatment of cancer. Together with radiation oncologists, specialized surgeons and caring support staff, medical oncologists deliver the most effective, individualized care for each patient.

A Range of Options

When recommended as part of a patient’s treatment plan, medical oncology can take a variety of forms.

• Chemotherapy is treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

• Biotherapy uses drugs that boost the ability of the immune system to fight cancer:

  • Colony stimulating factors (cytokines) stimulate the production of blood cells

  • Interferons are natural proteins that keep cancer cells from growing and multiplying

  • Interlukins activate white blood cells and stimulate growth of red blood cells

  • Monoclonal antibodies are passive immunotherapies created in a lab so your antibodies aren’t required to actively fight the cancer

  • Vaccines are active immunotherapies that trigger your own immune system to respond

• Targeted Therapies involve drugs that target certain functions or parts of a cancer cell using:

  • Anti-angiogenic drugs stop tumors from making new blood vessels

  • Radioactive monoclonal antibodies join a radioactive particle with antibodies to deliver the radioactivity where it is most needed to fight the cancer cells

  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors interfere with cancer cell communication and growth

• Supportive Therapy uses agents to decrease and manage side effects.

• Transfusions use blood products as supportive therapy.

• Hormone Therapy uses drugs to add, block or remove hormones to stop the growth of certain cancers.