Treatment & care / Melna Oncology Centre
Cancer treatment that works throughout the body.
Systemic cancer therapy refers to treatments that travel through the bloodstream or otherwise act throughout the body to treat cancer cells.
Unlike treatments directed at a particular area of the body, systemic therapies can reach cancer cells in multiple locations. They include several different forms of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy.
At Melna Oncology Centre, Dr Thandeka Buthelezi-Zulu, Specialist Clinical & Radiation Oncologist, assesses each patient’s diagnosis and individual circumstances when determining whether systemic therapy should form part of their treatment plan.
“Systemic” means that treatment can act throughout the body rather than being limited to one specific area.
There are many different systemic cancer treatments, and they do not all work in the same way.
Some act directly on cancer cells. Others target particular characteristics of a cancer, alter hormone signals that certain cancers depend on, or influence the immune system’s response to cancer.
The appropriate treatment depends on the individual cancer and patient.
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer medicines to destroy cancer cells or interfere with their ability to grow and divide.
There are many different chemotherapy medicines and combinations, and treatment is selected according to the particular cancer and individual treatment plan.
Immunotherapy works by influencing the immune system or the interaction between the immune system and cancer.
It can be an important treatment for certain cancers but is not appropriate for every cancer or every patient.
Targeted therapies are designed to act on particular characteristics, proteins or biological pathways involved in the growth and survival of certain cancers.
Testing of the tumour may sometimes be required to determine whether a particular targeted treatment may be appropriate.
Some cancers depend on hormones to grow.
Hormone therapy, also known as endocrine therapy, can reduce the production of particular hormones or interfere with their effects on cancer cells.
It is commonly used in the treatment of certain hormone-sensitive cancers, including some breast and prostate cancers.
Systemic therapy is not limited to cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Depending on the cancer and purpose of treatment, systemic therapy may be used at different stages of care.
Systemic treatment may sometimes be given before another treatment to reduce the size or extent of the cancer.
This is often called neoadjuvant therapy.
Systemic therapy may be recommended after surgery to treat cancer cells that may remain elsewhere in the body and reduce the risk of recurrence in appropriate circumstances.
This is often called adjuvant therapy.
For some cancers, systemic therapy may be the primary form of treatment.
Because systemic treatments can act throughout the body, they can play an important role when cancer has spread beyond its original location.
When cancer cannot be eliminated completely, systemic therapy may sometimes be used to slow its progression, reduce symptoms or help maintain quality of life.
The way systemic cancer treatment is administered depends on the particular medicine.
Treatment may be given:
Some treatments are administered at a treatment facility, while certain oral treatments may be taken at home according to specific instructions.
Treatment is often organised into cycles or schedules, with the timing determined by the medicine being used.
There is no single systemic therapy suitable for every patient with cancer.
Before recommending treatment, Dr Buthelezi-Zulu considers the clinical information relevant to your individual diagnosis.
This may include:
These factors help determine which treatment, or combination of treatments, may be appropriate.
Cancer is increasingly understood according to more than simply where it began in the body.
Some cancers have particular molecular or biological characteristics that can influence treatment decisions.
Depending on the cancer, tests may be performed to look for biomarkers, genetic changes, proteins or hormone receptors that could indicate whether certain targeted therapies, immunotherapies or hormone treatments may be appropriate.
Not every cancer requires these tests, and finding a particular biomarker does not automatically mean that a specific treatment will be suitable.
Dr Buthelezi-Zulu can explain whether this type of testing is relevant to your diagnosis.
Yes.
Cancer treatment often involves more than one approach.
Systemic therapy may be combined with:
The order and combination of treatments depend on the particular cancer and the objectives of treatment.
Where appropriate, treatment planning may involve input from several healthcare professionals as part of a multidisciplinary approach.
There is no single list of side effects for systemic cancer therapy because the treatments included within this category work in very different ways.
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy can each produce different side effects.
Even patients receiving the same medicine may experience treatment differently.
Before treatment begins, your oncology team will explain the side effects associated with the particular therapy being recommended and what symptoms should be reported.
Your health and response to treatment will be monitored throughout your care.
Depending on the treatment, this may include:
The results of these assessments help your oncology team determine how you are tolerating treatment and evaluate your response.
Treatment may sometimes need to be delayed, adjusted or changed depending on these findings.
It is important that your oncology team knows about all medicines and supplements you use.
This includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, herbal remedies and complementary treatments.
Some products can interact with cancer medicines or influence how they work.
Do not start or stop medicines or supplements during cancer treatment without discussing them with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Systemic cancer therapy encompasses many different treatments.
The important question is therefore not simply which treatments exist, but which treatment is appropriate for your particular cancer and circumstances.
At Melna Oncology Centre, patients are encouraged to understand why a particular therapy is being recommended, how it works, what treatment may involve and what side effects they should be aware of.
Questions are an important part of that conversation.
If systemic therapy has been recommended as part of your cancer treatment, or you have been referred for specialist oncology care, you can request a consultation with Dr Thandeka Buthelezi-Zulu at Melna Oncology Centre.
Request a Consultation
This is general patient information. Your oncologist will explain whether a treatment is appropriate for your diagnosis and circumstances.
The next step
Discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with Dr Buthelezi-Zulu and the Melna Oncology team.