Treatments & side effects

Medical information reviewed by Victorian Cooperative Oncology Group. See disclaimer.

Cancer treatment depends on the cancer type, where it began, and whether it's spread (plus general health and personal choices). Often more than one treatment's used.

A patient undergoes cancer treatmentTreatment options include:

  • surgery to remove cancer cells
  • chemotherapy - using drugs to fight cancer cells
  • radiotherapy - using radiation to fight cancer cells
  • targeted therapy - a new treatment, which attacks just cancer cells
  • immunotherapy - helping the immune system fight cancer
  • hormone therapy - reducing cancer-growth-promoting hormones.

Many cancers can be cured. If you have advanced cancer and a cure's unlikely, palliative care can relieve symptoms, help you feel comfortable and live longer.

Treatments by cancer type: 

Bone cancer ι Brain/spinal tumours ι Breast cancer ι Cervical cancer ι Kidney cancer ι Leukaemia ι Lung cancer ι Lymphoma ι Melanoma ι Mouth/nose/throat cancers ι Multiple myeloma ι Oesophageal/stomach cancers ι Ovarian cancer ι Pancreatic cancer ι Prostate cancer ι Common skin cancer ι Soft tissue sarcoma ι Uterine cancer ι Unknown primary ι Vaginal cancer ι Vulva cancer

Side effects:

Fatigue ι Hair loss ι Lymphoedema ι Breast reconstruction surgery

Deciding on treatments

Who to consult and how to choose.

Cancer treatment centres

An extensive statewide list.

Complementary & alternative therapies

How are they different? Can they help?

Learning to relax

Relaxation can help you feel in control.

Nutrition & cancer

Food we eat has a role in good health.

Clinical trials

Trials for newly developed treatments.

Clinical practice guidelines

Medical guides for specific cancers.

Questions to ask your doctor

Understand your treatment and illness.

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