Adenocarcinoma
What are the treatments for the disease?
Adenocarcinoma is treated with one or more of the following:
chemotherapy
radiation therapy
surgery
Early-stage disease is localized and may be treated by
surgery alone. The whole tumor and the tissue around it are removed.
Sometimes chemotherapy is given after surgery to make sure that any
cancer left behind is killed. This is called adjuvant therapy. The goal is to
prevent the return of the cancer. Radiation may also be given to the area of
the tumor to kill any disease left behind after surgery.
If adenocarcinoma is in the advanced stage, treatment is
focused on improving the person's quality of life. This is done by shrinking
tumors that are causing symptoms such as pain. Either
radiation therapy
or chemotherapy
may be used. Advanced adenocarcinoma is not curable.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects depend on the type of treatment chosen
and the intensity of the therapy. The side effects of therapy are usually
manageable. Treatment for advanced-stage disease is designed to relieve
symptoms, so side effects are minimized.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
People who have early-stage disease are followed to make
sure the cancer does not return. People with advanced adenocarcinoma
are followed to make sure that the disease is not progressing. If the
disease does return or progress, then a different treatment can be tried.
How is the disease monitored?
People who have been treated for adenocarcinoma should
have routine physical exams to look for signs of recurrence. The frequency
of these exams will decrease over time, if the disease has been
successfully treated. Close monitoring will allow for changes in therapy
to maintain the best possible quality of life. Any new or worsening symptoms
should be reported to the doctor.
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