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Published on: Mar 21, 2021
3 minute read
By: Secondmedic Expert

Navigating Cancer Treatment Options

Dealing with cancer is tough, and knowing about the different ways to treat it is really important for making smart choices about your health. In this blog, we'll talk about cancer treatments in an easy way, so you can understand them better and feel more sure about what to do.

What is Cancer?

Cancer happens when the cells in your body start growing too much and don't listen to the normal rules. It can show up in any part of your body, and there are different ways to treat it. The main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and stem cell transplant. In this blog, we'll talk about these treatments in a simple way to help you understand them better and feel more sure about your choices.

Surgery

Surgery is when doctors take out the lump or cancer part from your body. It's usually the first thing they do for lumps that are hard. The doctors want to get rid of as much cancer as they can but also keep the parts that are okay. Whether the surgery works well depends on the kind of cancer you have, how big it is, and where it is in your body.

Chemotherapy

Let's talk about something called chemotherapy. It's a treatment that uses special medicines to stop cancer cells from growing too much. These medicines can be given as pills you swallow or through a needle into your veins. Even though chemotherapy can help with cancer, it might also make you lose your hair or feel very tired because it can affect some healthy cells too.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is like using super-strong rays to zap and get rid of cancer cells. It's like a special kind of light that can be sent from outside or placed right where the cancer is. This depends on what type of cancer you have and where it's hanging out. The cool thing is that any side effects, like feeling a bit tired or skin changes, mostly happen only in the area getting the special light. Thanks to new technology, we're really good at making sure only the bad guys get hit, keeping the healthy parts safe and sound.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is like a superhero for your body. It helps your natural defenses, your immune system, to battle against cancer. It gives your immune system a boost to recognize and defeat those tricky cancer cells. This special treatment is showing great results for many types of cancer, and the best part is, it usually has fewer side effects than the usual treatments. So, it's like giving your body an extra power-up to fight off the bad stuff.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is like a special kind of medicine that zooms in on the parts of cancer that make it grow. Instead of affecting the whole body, it works like a superhero to stop cancer cells from dividing and growing. This special medicine is super precise, making sure it only targets the bad guys and doesn't harm the good cells. So, it's like a smart and careful way to treat cancer, causing fewer problems for the rest of the body.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is a common treatment for cancers like breast and prostate cancers that respond to hormones. This therapy stops or slows down cancer growth by blocking or removing hormones. You might take medicines or have a small surgery as part of hormone therapy.

Stem Cell Transplant

Sometimes, when you have a sickness, doctors might use something called a stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant. It's like giving your body a fresh start. This special treatment happens after strong medicine or radiation has been used to help you get better. It helps bring back the important blood cells that may have been damaged during the treatment.

Making Informed Decisions

Deciding on the best treatment is like teamwork between you, your doctors, and your family. Think about things like the kind of cancer you have, how much it has grown, your general health, and what you prefer. If you're unsure, it's okay to ask another doctor for their thoughts. Also, don't forget to ask about what might happen during and after treatment to better understand everything.

Dealing with Side Effects

When you get treated for cancer, there can be some things that might happen to your body. These are called side effects. It's important to handle these side effects well so that you can keep feeling as good as possible during and after your treatment. If you ever feel worried or notice anything different about how you're feeling, talk to your healthcare team. They are there to help you and can give you advice and support.

Figuring out how to choose your cancer treatment might feel like a lot, but if you know what options you have, you can decide what's best for you. It's important to know that you're not going through this alone – your healthcare team is here to help and support you. Keep yourself in the loop, ask questions, and be a part of the decisions about your treatment to make sure it works out well for you. And remember, it's totally okay to get a second opinion if you want to be extra sure about your choices.

So, take charge, stay informed, and confidently navigate your way through the choices for a better, clearer path ahead in your cancer treatment journey.

Get the best advice for your health – book a second opinion and talk to the experts who care about you!

Read FAQs

A. Cancer treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and stem cell transplant. The choice depends on factors like cancer type and stage.

A. Three popular cancer treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These are commonly used based on the type and location of cancer.

A. The success of cancer treatment varies based on the type, stage, and individual factors. Consult with your healthcare team to determine the most effective treatment plan for your specific condition.

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Fever for 3 Days ? Should You Visit a Doctor or Wait

A fever lasting three days raises valid concern for patients and caregivers alike. While many febrile episodes resolve independently, a persistent fever lasting 72 hours warrants careful evaluation. Understanding when to seek medical attention and when watchful waiting is appropriate can prevent unnecessary complications and guide timely clinical intervention.

Should You Visit a Doctor If Fever Lasts for 3 Days?

A fever persisting for three consecutive days in adults generally requires medical evaluation, particularly when body temperature exceeds 103°F (39.4°C) or when additional symptoms such as breathlessness, severe headache, or rash are present. In children under five years, medical consultation is recommended after 48 to 72 hours of unresolved fever regardless of severity. Physicians advise against self-managing a three-day fever without professional assessment in high-risk populations.

Clinically, a three-day fever threshold is significant because most viral infections producing fever resolve within 48 to 72 hours. Fever persisting beyond this window may indicate a bacterial infection, an underlying inflammatory condition, or a secondary complication requiring targeted diagnostic workup. In the Indian clinical context, endemic infections such as dengue, typhoid, and malaria must be considered as potential etiologies when fever extends beyond 72 hours.

Common Causes of Persistent Fever in Adults and Children

Persistent fever lasting three or more days may originate from a range of infectious and non-infectious etiologies. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for selecting appropriate treatment.

Infectious Causes:

Viral infections: Influenza, dengue fever, chikungunya, COVID-19
Bacterial infections: Typhoid fever (enteric fever), urinary tract infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis
Parasitic infections: Malaria (particularly relevant in tropical regions of India)

Non-Infectious Causes:

Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
Drug-induced fever (fever as an adverse drug reaction)
Post-vaccination fever (typically resolves within 48 hours)

Condition	Typical Fever Duration	Key Associated Symptoms
Viral fever	3 to 5 days	Body ache, fatigue, runny nose
Dengue fever	5 to 7 days	Severe joint pain, rash, low platelet count
Typhoid fever	7 to 14 days	Abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, rose spots
Malaria	Cyclical pattern	Chills, sweating, rigors
Urinary tract infection	Variable	Burning urination, flank pain

What to Do When Fever Does Not Go Down After 3 Days

When fever does not subside after 72 hours, the immediate recommended course of action is to consult a general physician or internist for clinical assessment. Antipyretic medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) can manage symptom discomfort but do not treat the underlying cause. Blood investigations including a complete blood count (CBC), malarial antigen test, and dengue NS1 antigen test are standard first-line diagnostics in India.

Beyond seeking medical consultation, patients should maintain adequate hydration, rest, and nutritional intake. Oral rehydration is particularly important in a tropical climate where fever accelerates fluid loss. Specialists caution against self-prescribing antibiotics without laboratory confirmation, as indiscriminate antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance, a significant public health concern in India. Clinical data supports early laboratory testing as the most effective step when fever persists beyond three days.

Warning Signs That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Certain symptoms accompanying a three-day fever indicate medical emergencies requiring immediate hospital evaluation rather than home management.

Patients or caregivers should seek emergency care if any of the following are present:

Fever above 104°F (40°C) that does not respond to antipyretics
Severe headache with neck stiffness (possible meningitis)
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Skin rash appearing alongside fever (possible dengue or viral exanthem)
Altered consciousness, confusion, or seizures
Persistent vomiting preventing oral hydration
Fever in infants below three months of age
Fever in immunocompromised patients (those on chemotherapy, steroids, or with HIV)
Signs of dehydration: sunken eyes, dry mouth, reduced urine output

In children, febrile seizures can occur at temperatures above 102°F (38.9°C). While often self-limiting, any seizure associated with fever requires urgent pediatric evaluation.

Can a 3-Day Fever Resolve Without Medical Treatment?

In otherwise healthy adults, a mild to moderate fever (below 102°F) lasting three days caused by a self-limiting viral infection can resolve without specific medical treatment. The immune system typically clears common viral pathogens within three to five days. Supportive care including rest, hydration, and antipyretics is sufficient in low-risk cases.

However, resolution without medical treatment is not advisable for children under five, adults above 65, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Clinical evidence consistently indicates that delayed diagnosis in these populations increases the risk of serious complications. In regions with high prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, assuming a self-limiting viral cause without testing carries significant risk. Medical consultation remains the safest and most clinically sound approach when fever persists beyond three days.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers experiencing persistent fever or related symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare professional for evaluation and management.

If you are facing similar health concerns, consult expert doctors online through the SecondMedic app or visit your nearest SecondMedic Health Hub for in-person care

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