As people try to wrap their brains around the reality of a life-altering cancer diagnosis,they also must begin considering plans for treatment. It’s often a lot of information to absorb and understand and completely normal to feel overwhelmed and confused.

"The type of treatment a patient will receive depends on the type of cancer they have and the stage of the cancer," explained Mridula Reddy, MD, hematologist/oncologist with Dayton Physicians Network. Here is a guide to some of the most common cancer treatments currently available and their potential side effects, as well as exciting new therapies on the horizon.