Care Pathways
Making treatment decisions
Your doctors may tell you there are different options for treatment. Having the right information helps you make the right decision for you. Treatment plans are personalised based on cancer type, stage, overall health and patient preferences.
Main treatment types
Surgery
Removes the cancer with an operation. It is an important treatment for many cancers, especially when found early.
Chemotherapy
Uses drugs to treat many cancer types. Most commonly given as an injection into a vein or as tablets/capsules.
Radiotherapy
Uses high-energy rays (usually X-rays or similar) to treat cancer cells in a targeted area.
Targeted therapies
Biological therapies that can change how cancer cells grow and survive, often with more precise action.
After treatment
You will have regular check-ups and necessary tests after treatment. Your doctors will advise you on managing side effects and staying well during recovery.
Why cancers sometimes come back
Treatment aims to remove or destroy cancer cells. Sometimes cells remain and the cancer returns — months or years later:
- Local recurrence — returns in the same area of the body
- Metastasis / secondary cancer — returns in a different part of the body
When cancer returns, treatment is often used to control the disease. In some cases, further treatment can still aim for cure.
How World Cancer Care helps
Our focus is awareness and early detection. After primary screening, suspected patients are guided toward appropriate care pathways, including government-empanelled cancer hospitals where eligible schemes may apply.