Info
Targeted therapy
Treatment
What it means
A drug treatment that selectively blocks specific molecules involved in the growth of cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, it affects healthy cells less. Examples: tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies.
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Immunotherapy
- A treatment that helps the patient's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It works by releasing the brakes on the immune system or by directly stimulating lymphocytes. It can cause autoimmune side effects.
- Adjuvant treatment
- Treatment given after surgery or after the main treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. It may be chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapy, depending on the type of cancer.
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
- A hormonal treatment that lowers the level of testosterone in the body or blocks its effect, used in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. It can be done with medication (injections) or surgically.
Other terms in “Treatment”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.