Treatment

Question 1

what are the different ways to treat cancer?

Answer 1

• endoscopic / EUS (endoscopic ultrasound)
• surgical
• chemotherapy
• radiotherapy
• physiotherapy
• nutritional support
• palliative care team

Question 2

what are the national targets for cancer?

Answer 2

• 2 week SOPD (specialist outpatient department) for urgent referrals - 2 weeks from GP referral to when they are seen in clinic
• treatment within 62 days of GP referral

Question 3

what is a local resection used for?

Answer 3

cancer that hasn’t grown or spread therefore you just take the cancer out

Question 4

what is a radical resection?

Answer 4

removal of the cancer and the lymph nodes

Question 5

what is a supra-radical resection?

Answer 5

removal of the cancer, lymph nodes and the organs that surround the cancer

Question 6

how do cancers spread? (4)

Answer 6

direct invasive (adjacent organ)
bloodstream
lymphatic system
implantation (avoid cutting/handling)

Question 7

what is radiotherapy used for?

Answer 7

curative and palliative treatment

Question 8

what are the 2 differences between radiotherapy and chemotherapy?

Answer 8

radiotherapy. ..
- x-rays and localised

chemotherapy. ..
- chemical agents and not localised

Question 9

how is radiotherapy used for palliation?

Answer 9

aims to relieve symptoms

Question 10

what are the general side effects of radiotherapy?

Answer 10

fatigue and possible skin reaction

Question 11

how long do side effects normally last after radiotherapy?

Answer 11

3-4 weeks