Targeted therapy for cancer
Targeted therapy uses medicines to attack specific targets or processes of cancer cells. These medicines help stop cancer cells from growing or spreading. Unlike chemotherapy, they target cancer cells and may cause less harm to normal cells.
Targeted therapy is often given as a pill or put into a vein. It may be used alone. But it's often combined with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy.
Current as of: May 4, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Brian Leber MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology & Caroline S. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine