Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack certain types of cancer cells. A targeted therapy can be used by itself or in combination with other treatments, such as traditional or standard chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy.

Side effects of targeted therapy

Targeted therapies work differently to other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Different chemotherapy drugs often have similar side effects because they work in the same way.

The side effects of targeted therapy can be more varied. This is because the different types of drugs target cancer cells in different ways.

Some targeted therapy drugs can have more than one action. 

Your specialist doctor, nurse and pharmacist will talk to you about the side effects of treatment.

For more information, please visit Macmillan Cancer Support.

What to do when you feel unwell

We provide assessment and advice for cancer patients who have severe symptoms or are feeling unwell due to their disease or cancer treatment, through our Acute Oncology Service (AOS). Infections can develop rapidly, so it is essential that you contact us as soon as possible.

We need to hear from you if:

• You suddenly feel unwell
• You do not have a temperature but are feeling very unwell
• Even very slight symptoms may require urgent treatment and must not be ignored. Please call the numbers provided below for the acute oncology service, not your GP. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You will need to attend the Emergency Department (ED) if:

• You are feeling unwell and your temperature is above 37.5 ̊C (99 ̊F)
• Your temperature is below 35 ̊C (95 ̊F) 

If in doubt, call for advice. We are here to help.

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