Oregon Hematology Oncology Associates
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Home | The Path | Get the Basics | Meet our People | Visit Info Center | See our Facilities | Join our Team
Cancer | Blood Disorders | Site Links
Biotherapy is a treatment that uses naturally occurring substances in the body to stimulate a desired response. There are two main types of biotherapies: one focuses on helping the body to destroy tumor cells and the other helps the body increase the numbers of a particular type of blood cell. Biotherapy is one of the newest methods to treat cancer and to help the body recover from the side effects of treatment. Ongoing research in this area holds a great deal of promise for improved treatment methods. Drugs that fall within this category are interferon, interleukin, and colony stimulating factors like G-CSF and GM-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factors which increase the white blood cell count) and EPO (erythropoietin which increases the red blood cell count). If any of these drugs are prescribed for you, you will receive additional information in greater detail.
Biotherapy may be given intravenously or by a subcutaneous injection that goes under the surface of the skin. Depending on the type of medication and the dose, it may be administered in the hospital or in the physician office. Some people are also taught to self-administer their “shots” at home.
©2003 Oregon Hematology Oncology Associates, P.C., Inc. All rights reserved. This site is for educational purposes only and is intended for your general knowledge. It should not be used as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.
