The Jackson Laboratory

Understanding Cancer Treatments

Learn more about different approaches to treating cancer and how they work. 

How do cancer treatments work?

From surgery to immunotherapy, cancer treatments are evolving through cutting-edge research. These resources explain how modern therapies work to remove or destroy cancer cells, and how they’re guided by scientific discovery to be tailored to a patient’s unique diagnosis. 

Understanding cancer treatments PDF

Cancer treatments FAQs

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiation

Hormonal therapy

Targeted therapies

Immunotherapy

Questions to Ask Your Care Team

  1. What is the primary goal of this treatment (curative, control, or symptom relief)?
  2. Will I receive multiple therapies (adjuvant or neoadjuvant)?
  3. How will treatment success be monitored (scans, blood tests)?
  4. Which specific side effects should I expect, and how are they managed?
  5. Are there clinical trials or cutting-edge treatments I may qualify for?
  6. How will this affect fertility, bone health, heart, or cognitive functions long-term?
  7. What self-care steps (diet, exercise) can support my treatment plan?

Additional Resources

  • If you want to learn more about the treatments you are on, visit IVCanceredSheets.
  • For additional information about biomarker testing and targeted treatments, please visit The Cancer Support Community.
  • For more information about targeted treatments in your specific cancer type please use the resources below.
Lung Cancer: Lungevity FoundationBreast Cancer: BreastCancer.Org Colorectal Cancer: FIGHT Colorectal Cancer Pancreatic Cancer: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Prostate Cancer: Zero Prostate Cancer Melanoma: Melanoma Research Alliance Leukemia/Lymphoma: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society What is a Rare Cancer? TargetCancer Foundation

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Understanding biomarker testing

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Understanding clinical trials

Learn more about cancer research studies and if one is right for you.

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