Common Cancer Medications You Should Know About

02/16/2026

 

Understanding your options for Cancer Treatment

Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, or your cancer has returned. This situation may feel like a nightmare to anyone. You may get this news soon after recovering from a surgery to remove a tumour. When you learn about it, the important part is to understand the treatment options and decide which one to choose. Before selecting any treatment plan, you should deep dive into all your treatment plans. Discuss all the treatment options with your cancer care unit and understand as much as you can to make an informed decision with the help of your doctor.

Types of Drugs Used in Cancer Treatment

You will likely have a few options to select from for the treatment of your cancer. Most probably, the treatment may include more than one procedure with a combination of medications. Treatment through drugs is usually termed systemic treatment, and it affects the entire body. Some of the most common treatment plans include chemotherapy, Targeted therapy, Hormone therapy, and Immunotherapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, or chemo, is known to be the most prevalent mode of treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy uses certain medications like cisplatin, fluorouracil, etc., that are used to kill the cancer cells. There are other types of chemo treatment available, but not all of them work in the same manner. A specific chemo treatment can be used for a specific type of cancer. It is usually administered as an infusion into a vein, while others are injected, applied to the skin, or taken as pills. Chemo can possibly have three goals: to cure, control, or ease your situation. However, it totally depends on the type of cancer, how far it has spread, and its stage. It is a systemic treatment plan that travels throughout your body through your veins and can destroy cancer as well as normal cells that have spread and infected other parts of your body, regardless of the affected area. Chemotherapy affects the whole body, unlike local treatments that affect only one part. However, normal cells recover more easily from chemo than cancer cells.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a personalised treatment plan for your cancer that works by targeting specific features, mutations, changes, or substances in cancer cells. There are several types of targeted therapies that are developed to stop the cancer cells from multiplying and spreading without damaging normal or healthy cells, like Imatinib, Afatinib Dimaleate, etc. Each type of therapy works in a specific way, targeting specific genes, proteins, or cells(blood vessel cells) that help cancer cells to survive and grow. It can also change the environment or the tissue that is suitable for cancer cells to grow in. Like chemotherapy, targeted therapy is also a systemic treatment plan that travels through the body via the bloodstream; however, targeted therapy only acts on the affected cells, sparing the normal cells, unlike chemotherapy, which damages normal and healthy cells too. Like chemo, targeted therapy can also be taken as an infusion or through injection at clinics, or can be taken orally through the mouth at home under the supervision of an oncologist.

Hormonal Therapy

Hormone therapy, or hormonal therapy, is a type of cancer treatment plan that prevents specific hormones needed for the growth of cancer cells by either blocking the hormone from stimulating the cancer cells or restricting the body's ability to produce that specific hormone. Mostly, the hormone therapy drugs are administered as an injection or taken orally. There are some surgeries conducted to remove an organ that produces such a hormone, marking itself as a part of hormone therapy. Hormone or hormonal therapy is also known as endocrine therapy, which is mostly opted for treatment in breast and prostate cancer. It works similarly to chemo and targeted therapies that travel throughout the body to find, target, and act on the hormones. Some of the examples are: Tamoxifen, Letrozole, Abiraterone, etc.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is often used for advanced cancers, specifically when other treatments have not worked. It is a type of cancer treatment that helps stimulate the immune system to find the cancer cells and kill them. It can either be made by your body or developed in the lab to act like natural parts of the immune system to boost the immunity so it works better against the cancer. There are different types of immunotherapies that work differently depending on the type of cancer. Not all cancers are meant to be treated with immunotherapy. It can be given at regular intervals followed by a break through infusion, injection, orally, or applied to the skin. Ask your care team about how many cycles are planned and how long the treatment is expected to last.

Common Side Effects of Cancer Treatments

Every treatment plan has its side effects, but it's not necessary that everyone will have them. Some of the common side effects of the cancer treatment plans are listed below:

Chemotherapy: Hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, serious fatigue, constipation, low blood counts, neuropathy, and mouth sores.

Immunotherapy/Targeted Therapy: Skin rashes, diarrhea, fever, chills, and immune-related inflammation of organs.

Hormone Therapy: Hot flashes, sexual side effects, mood swings, and an increase in weight.

Precautions and Safety Measures

There are so many generic anti-cancer drugs available; however, you will be recommended the treatment that best suits you based on the type of cancer you have. It becomes crucial for us to understand the precautions and safety measures that need to be taken before you buy Generic anti-cancer drugs Online in Canada or in the United States, because the ultimate goal of cancer treatment should be to cure, shrink, or stop the cancer from spreading. It's important for us to talk to the healthcare team about the treatment options, take a second opinion from a different healthcare professional, and talk to people who have had cancer through support groups or online. You should always seek support from professionals who are trained in helping people with cancer and prepare your body for treatment through nutritional counselling and fitness sessions.

Takeaway

Undoubtedly, you are fighting with one of the most powerful enemies, but you should know that you are not at all alone in this fight. Even though the disease is very complex, it's crucial for you to understand that with correct information, research, and a positive mindset, you can win this war. Your doctor may recommend a single medication or a combination of drugs that may be required along with the surgery, radiation, or other treatments available. Always do thorough research and be ready with your cross questions to understand the situation better so that you can be in a better position to ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of the recommended treatment plan. The ultimate goal of your treatment plan should be to cure the disease entirely, shrink or stop it from spreading. Stay strong, you will find a way out.