Many patients who are diagnosed with cancer will require some treatment with cancer drugs. Treatment with cancer drugs is usually led by a doctor known as a medical oncologist. In the case of cancers of the blood and lymph systems, treatment will usually be led by a doctor who is a haematologist or haemato-oncologist. The information provided here applies similarly to patients with blood and lymph cancers as well as those with other types of cancer.
Approximately 33,000 patients receive active treatment with cancer drugs each year, both oral drugs delivered in the community and delivered by injection in hospital settings. It is estimated that the number of patients receiving active treatment with cancer drugs will increase by 58-81% between 2015 and 2045. Many patients receive cancer drugs which are aimed at curing their cancer. In situations where a patient’s cancer is not considered curable, it is treated as a chronic disease, with patients often remaining on treatment with cancer drugs for several years. Advances in new technologies are producing targeted therapies for specific cancers and the number of drugs being approved for use is growing steadily.
Types of cancer drug treatment
When is cancer drug treatment provided?
Where is cancer drug treatment provided?
How is cancer drug treatment provided?
Clinical Trials
The NCCP Cancer Drug Management Programme
Contact the National Cancer Control Programme
