The Changing Face of Cancer Treatment

In the early phases of cancer detection and diagnosis, doctors applied a combination of surgery and radiation to eliminate cancerous masses, shrink tumors, and eradicate cancer cells. In those days, if these options did not work, there were few options.

Chemotherapy was initially ruled out because it was thought that the medicines were too toxic to the body. However, research in the 1940s proved that chemo could be effective in achieving temporary remission in some cancers.

In more recent years, new therapies have evolved that target specific genes and proteins that drive the growth of certain cancers. As these therapies become even more advanced, it is now possible to achieve positive results while minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy.

As advances in cancer treatment continue to be brought to the table, some of the most exciting discoveries are making their way into the mainstream. At MD Anderson, patients can expect to have access to advances that include:

Genetic testing

Genetic testing is performed to identify a wide range of gene mutations, the results of which can greatly impact the type of cancer treatment a patient receives.

Advanced surgical interventions

Surgeons at MD Anderson complete extra training in cancer specialties such as breast cancer. This allows doctors to target tumors with much greater accuracy while minimizing surgical complications.

Radiation elimination or reduction

Today, radiation treatments for breast cancer are tailored specifically to the individual’s needs. Each patient’s risk factors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and for low-risk patients, it may be possible to avoid radiation entirely.

Better management of treatment side-effects

In the past, severe nausea and vomiting were common during chemotherapy. Today, doctors can offer medications and interventions that mitigate these side effects very well, allowing patients in treatment to live a better quality of life in recovery.

Reconstructive advances

Patients have many great options for reconstructive therapy following mastectomy. Using tissue from other parts of the body, they are able to reconstruct the breast using a technique called fat grafting. This method is also used to minimize the look of tissue loss from surgery, as is tissue rearrangement, during which they move tissue around to reduce any visible defects.

The good news is that, while there is no absolute cure for the disease, these advances give new hope to a cancer diagnosis, a light at the end of the tunnel, and the ability to live a life full of possibilities.

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