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Therapies for Managing Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer originating in the glandular epithelial cells or the cells of the glands lining one’s organs. With advancements in health sciences, various treatment options, such as radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, have emerged to combat this aggressive form of cancer. By understanding the available treatment options for adenocarcinoma, patients and their loved ones can decide on the best course of action to combat the disease.

Therapies for Managing Adenocarcinoma

Local treatments for adenocarcinoma
Local treatments aim to target tumors that have not spread to other body parts and are present in their place of origin. They are usually employed in the early stages of cancer and may also come in handy when the goal is to manage the symptoms or reduce the tumor’s size. Two local treatments for adenocarcinoma are surgery and radiation therapy:

  • Surgery
    Surgery is generally the first line of treatment most oncologists adopt to deal with this type of cancer. During the surgery, the doctor not only excises the tumor but also some of the tissue surrounding it. This helps decrease the risk of recurrence and gives the patient a better shot at a normal lifestyle.
  • Radiation therapy
    Radiation therapy is often used with other forms of cancer treatments. It uses targeted radiation to weaken or kill cancer cells without negatively impacting the healthy tissue around the cancerous growth.

Systemic treatments for adenocarcinoma
These treatments travel through the blood to reach various affected organs. A few systemic treatments for this condition include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy:

  • Chemotherapy
    Chemotherapy uses certain compounds, known as cytotoxic compounds, to kill cancerous cells in the body. It can be used to target a specific part of the body or as a generalized treatment, depending on the disease’s type and stage. While chemotherapy chemicals are most commonly administered into the bloodstream, they are sometimes taken orally. These chemicals are effective at different stages of the cell cycle. Since it is not always possible to determine the growth cycle cancer cells are in, a combination of multiple chemotherapy compounds is administered to target as many malignant cells as possible.
  • Targeted therapy
    The effectiveness of targeted therapies depends on their ability to impact the cancer cells in different pathways of the growth cycle they follow. Targeted therapy uses compounds that are more capable of honing in on cancer cells, which is why it presents fewer side effects than chemotherapy. It is one of the best treatments for adenocarcinomas since it also increases the patient’s life expectancy. Studies suggest that by following a proper treatment plan involving targeted therapies, the life expectancy in people with adenocarcinomas has significantly improved compared to what it used to be only a few years ago.
  • Hormonal therapy
    Hormonal therapy is another valuable adenocarcinoma treatment. While it can be used for various forms of adenocarcinomas, it is a more common choice for dealing with breast cancer, especially if estrogen receptor-positive tumors exist. The high levels of estrogen can act as fuel for the cancer cells in the body. Hormonal therapy lowers estrogen, helps increase the patient’s life expectancy, and reduces the chances of the disease’s recurrence. Besides breast cancer adenocarcinomas, hormonal therapy can be used for prostate adenocarcinomas. However, research is still underway to indicate its effectiveness as a plausible treatment option for pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
  • Immunotherapy
    As the name suggests, immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to treat cancer. CAR T-cell therapy, a popular type of immunotherapy, has shown promising results even when tackling cancers often deemed challenging to treat. Immunotherapy has helped improve the health of patients with lung adenocarcinomas, one of the most challenging types of cancers to manage. However, the treatment and the compounds used might not be effective for every patient.

While the treatments mentioned above are already in use, a flurry of clinical trials is in motion to find new treatments to help cancer patients. These trials are conducted by expert health scientists, doctors, and researchers.

Palliative therapy for adenocarcinoma
Palliative therapy aims to make life comfortable for patients who do not respond to traditional treatments. It helps manage the symptoms and discomforts rather than treat adenocarcinomas or other cancers. More and more healthcare professionals and cancer treatment centers are becoming capable of providing palliative care consultation for patients and their families. Their efforts are focused on maintaining the patient’s quality of life with the help of physical and mental therapies. At times, local therapies might come in handy in symptom management.

Adenocarcinoma presents unique challenges in terms of treatment, but the advancements in health science offer hope to those affected by this form of cancer. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy all play vital roles in combating the disease. Patients can make informed decisions about their care by understanding the available treatment options and working closely with healthcare professionals. The success of an adenocarcinoma treatment can vary depending on the type of the disease. The overall five-year relative survival rate for lung and bronchus adenocarcinomas is said to be around 32.2 percent.

Disclaimer:
The content of the articles discussing symptoms, treatments, health conditions, and side effects is solely intended for informational purposes. It is imperative that readers do not interpret the information provided on the website as professional advice. Readers are requested to use their discretion and refrain from treating the suggestions or opinions provided by the writers and editors as medical advice. It is important to seek the help of licensed and expert healthcare professionals when necessary.
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