Because an individual’s cancer cells are unique, different people may receive different treatments, even if their cancer type is the same. Doctors will recommend the best treatment for an individual based on the type and stage of cancer, its genetic make-up, the person’s age and their general health.
Aside from targeted therapy, other treatments for cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
These treatments may be used on their own or in combination. For example, you may have surgery to remove a tumour, followed by a targeted therapy drug to kill any remaining cancer cells.
For more on other cancer treatments, see Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Surgery and Immunotherapy or call 13 11 20.
Featured resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
Additional resources
This information was reviewed by: Dr Fiona Day, Medical Oncologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle, and Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle, NSW; Dawn Bed , 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland; Jennifer Cardwell, Consumer; Christine Henneker, Nurse Practitioner Cancer Services, WA Country Health Service, WA; Dr Rohit Joshi, Medical Oncology Consultant, Calvary Central Districts Hospital, and Clinical Lecturer, University of Adelaide, SA; Prof Ross McKinnon, Director, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, SA; Prof Miles Prince, Haematologist, Director of Molecular Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Epworth HealthCare, VIC; Prof Ben Solomon, Medical Oncologist, and Group Leader, Molecular Therapeutics and Biomarkers Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Subotheni Thavaneswaran, Medical Oncologist, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and St Vincent’s Hospital, and Translational Research Fellow, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, NSW; A/Pro Kathy Tucker, Clinical Cancer Geneticist, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, NSW.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Need to talk?
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Ask a health professional or someone who’s been there, or find a support group or forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Pro bono legal and financial matters, no interest loans or help with small business
Cancer information
Living with advanced cancer
Coping with cancer that has spread and making treatment decisions
View our publications
Guides and fact sheets for people with cancer, their families and friends