How Gastrointestinal Neoplasms Medications Work

Gastrointestinal neoplasms, or cancers of the digestive tract, can be treated with various medications in addition to surgery. The primary goal of these treatments is to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.

Treatment Options

• Chemotherapy: Systemic treatment that kills cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy works by interfering with cell division, preventing cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
• Targeted Therapy: Specific drugs designed to target molecular abnormalities in cancer cells. These therapies can be more effective than chemotherapy because they specifically target the cancer cells' weaknesses.
• Immunotherapy: Treatment that stimulates the body's immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapies work by enhancing the body's natural defenses against cancer cells, making it easier for the immune system to recognize and attack them.

Medication Mechanisms of Action

The mechanisms of action for these medications vary depending on their type. Chemotherapy works by disrupting cell division, while targeted therapies target specific molecular abnormalities in cancer cells. Immunotherapies stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

While surgery remains the gold standard for treating gastrointestinal neoplasms, these alternative treatments can be effective options for patients who are not candidates for surgery or as an adjunct to surgical treatment.