Introduction
Cancer claimed 10 million lives in 2020, making it the world’s top cause of death. The disease burden can be reduced if early identification and suitable treatment techniques are used. Cancer research has been continuing for centuries, and each advancement has aided doctors in learning more about the disease’s complexities. These advancements have contributed to the advancement of various cancer treatment techniques. A few cancer treatment triumphs are listed below.
Personalized medicine
According to scientists, the way cancer acts in the human body differs from person to person. As a result, the usual treatment approach will not be helpful for all patients. Personalized medicine is a notion developed by science to counteract this impact. Doctors may now create a treatment plan for their patients based on their genetic makeup. This technique is effective because the mutations responsible for abnormal cell division will be accurately targeted during treatment.
Immunotherapy
An innovative therapy method that targets cancer cells using the patient’s immune system. To target cancer cells, immunotherapy employs the following strategies:
- Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are made in a lab that target antigens present in cancer cells. Trodelvy, for example, is a drug used to treat triple-negative breast cancer.
- T cells are modified through CART-cell therapy so that they can detect and destroy cancer cells. T cells are taken from the blood, modified to produce better killing machines, and then reintroduced into the body. CD22 is used to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
- Therapeutic vaccines include removing cancer cells from the body and altering them in some way. This enables the cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells in the body. Provenge is one example of a prostate cancer vaccine.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy for cancer is now available in a number of new and improved forms that provide patients greater benefits and are more effective. Here are a few examples:
- Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) accurately focuses radiation on the target cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
- Gamma knife and cyberknife are examples of stereotactic radiosurgery that deliver high radiation doses precisely to tiny areas. These methods are successful in the treatment of brain tumors.
- Image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) makes use of imaging methods such as CT or MRI. This helps to better focus the radiation beam on organs like the lungs.
- Proton therapy is a revolutionary technique that employs a beam of protons to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. Cancers of the brain, lung, liver, prostate, breast, colon and other organs are treated with this treatment.
Robotic Surgery
The most significant cancer treatment is surgery. Doctors aim on removing the tumor from its source, followed by radiation therapy sessions, to avoid cancer recurrence. In this field, robotic surgery represents a big development. During surgery, surgeons use a small incision in the body to insert a small camera and surgical tools. Through a console, the doctor may see into the body and control the instruments used to remove the tumor. The accuracy of this method is one of the main reasons for its popularity.
Summing up
Despite advancements in cancer research, there are still numerous obstacles to face. More study into the underlying mode of action of cancer, as well as the implementation of successful therapies, would presumably assist to lower the disease burden over time.
