Which common type of cancer treatment is specifically targeted at the tumor?

Surgery is considered a treatment that is specifically targeted at the tumor itself. This approach involves the physical removal of the tumor from the body, along with any surrounding tissue that may be affected. The goal of surgical intervention is to obtain clear margins, which means ensuring that no cancerous cells remain after the tumor is excised. This is especially effective for localized tumors that have not spread extensively, allowing for a direct attack on the cancerous mass.

In contrast, other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are systemic or localized approaches that do not specifically target the tumor in the same direct manner. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells throughout the body, which can include both cancerous and healthy cells. Radiation therapy also targets rapidly dividing cells but is typically aimed at the tumor area, affecting both the tumor and surrounding tissues. Immunotherapy leverages the body's immune system to fight cancer, but it does not exclusively focus on the tumor itself; rather, it works to enhance the body's overall immune response against cancer cells.

Thus, surgery stands out as the primary treatment modality that focuses directly on the tumor, making it distinctly targeted in nature.