Targeted Therapy for Cancer: Questions Patients Often Ask

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it is natural to ask, “Are there newer treatments beyond surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation?” One option you may hear about is targeted therapy for cancer. Many patients want to know what it is, how it works, and whether it is right for them. The answers below are written to address common concerns in a clear, patient-friendly way. 

What is targeted therapy for cancer? 

Targeted therapy cancer treatment uses medicines that act on specific molecules or pathways that cancer cells depend on to grow and survive. 

Instead of attacking all fast-growing cells (like traditional chemotherapy), targeted therapy aims at: 

• Signals that tell cancer cells to grow 
• Proteins on the surface of cancer cells 
• Abnormal genes or proteins inside cancer cells 
• Blood vessels that feed tumors 

Because of this focus, targeted therapy can sometimes affect cancer cells more than normal cells. 

How is targeted therapy different from chemotherapy? 

Many patients ask about targeted therapy vs chemotherapy. The main differences are: 

• How they work 
• Chemotherapy harms all rapidly dividing cells (cancer cells, but also hair, mouth lining, gut lining, bone marrow). 
• Targeted therapy blocks specific targets that are more active or abnormal in cancer cells. 
• How they are given 
• Chemotherapy is often given as IV infusions in cycles. 
• Targeted therapy can be tablets, capsules, or IV infusions, depending on the drug. 
• Side-effect pattern 
• Chemotherapy often causes hair loss, more nausea, and low blood counts. 
• Targeted therapy may cause skin, blood pressure, liver, or hormonal side effects, depending on the medicine. 

Both can be very effective. In many cancers, targeted therapy and chemotherapy are used together or in sequence. 

What are the main types of targeted therapy? 

When we talk about types of targeted therapy, we usually mean how the medicines act on cancer cells, such as: 

• Monoclonal antibodies 
• Given by IV infusion 
• Attach to specific proteins on cancer cells or surrounding cells 
• Can block growth signals, mark cancer cells for the immune system, or carry radiation/chemotherapy directly to the tumor 
• Small-molecule inhibitors 
• Often taken as tablets or capsules 
• Enter cells and block enzymes or signals that drive cancer growth (for example, growth factor signals or abnormal proteins) 
• Angiogenesis inhibitors 
• Block formation of new blood vessels that tumors need for oxygen and nutrients 

Your oncologist will order tests on the tumor (biopsy sample) or blood to see whether your cancer has a target that matches a specific medicine. 

What are common targeted therapy side effects? 

Every patient wants to understand targeted therapy side effects in advance. They can vary based on the drug, but may include: 

• Skin changes (rash, dry skin, itching, nail changes) 
• Diarrhea or mild nausea 
• High blood pressure 
• Changes in liver function tests 
• Fatigue 
• Mouth sores 
• Changes in blood counts in some cases 

Most side effects are manageable with dose adjustment, supportive medicines, and regular monitoring. Serious side effects are less common but can occur, which is why frequent follow-up and blood tests are important. Always report new symptoms early rather than waiting for the next visit. 

Is targeted therapy suitable for every patient? 

Not all cancers have a known “target,” and not every patient with a target will benefit from the same drug. Suitability depends on: 

• Cancer type (lung, breast, colon, kidney, blood cancers, etc.) 
• Stage and previous treatments 
• Molecular or genetic test results 
• Overall health, liver and kidney function 
• Other medicines you are taking 

Your oncologist will review your reports and explain why a particular targeted therapy is, or is not, recommended in your case. 

How does American Oncology Institute use targeted therapy? 

At American Oncology Institute (AOI), targeted therapy cancer treatment is part of a comprehensive oncology program. Medical oncologists: 

• Request advanced molecular and genetic tests where needed 
• Identify patients who can benefit from targeted therapy 
• Combine targeted drugs with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy when appropriate 
• Monitor response and side effects closely and adjust treatment if required 

Multidisciplinary tumor boards at AOI—bringing together medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists—help ensure that targeted therapy is used in a planned and evidence-based way. 

What should you discuss with your doctor? 

If you are considering targeted therapy, you may want to ask: 

• Does my cancer have a known target that can be treated with a drug? 
• What tests are needed to find out? 
• How does this medicine work in my type of cancer? 
• Will I take it as a tablet or IV infusion, and for how long? 
• What are the expected benefits and possible side effects for me? 
• How often will I need blood tests and scans? 

Targeted therapy for cancer has changed the outlook for many patients, but it is not a “one-size-fits-all” option. The right plan is the one tailored to your cancer, your health, and your goals. A detailed discussion with your cancer specialist at a center like American Oncology Institute can help you understand your choices and move forward with clarity and confidence.