Southlake, TX, Feb 15, 2019– Over the years, scientists have improved their ability to test for cancer. This has led to more cancer patients living longer and some even getting cured of the disease. The advances in cancer research have paved the way to better and targeted treatment options and more cures.

“The recent scientific discoveries have helped doctors to understand how tumors grow,” explained Dr. Kancharia. “That’s how doctors have managed to acquire new tools that help fight cancer, giving hope to future cancer treatments.”

Below are some of the milestones achieved in cancer treatment:

• Targeted therapies – They are treatments that work on body components such as blood vessels, genes, and proteins. Cancer cells usually grow and spread through such vessels. Targeted treatments are effective and present fewer side effects to the patients. They are typically matched to the tumor. They include Herceptin for breast cancer and Afatinib and Cetuximab for lung and colorectal cancers, among others.

• Precision medicine – These are treatments tailored to a patient's type of cancer. Some gene mutations are often unique to the tumor and require that doctors find a personalized treatment that works best.

• Immunotherapy – They are treatments aimed at attacking cancer cells through the body’s immune system. They include monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, cytokines, and CAR T-cells, among others.

• Robotic surgery – It is a computer-assisted surgery that helps doctors to remove cancer from a patient’s body through surgery. The doctors insert cameras and tools in small cuts made in the patient’s body and sit at consoles to work the robotic arms using hand and foot control. Robotic arms are often precise and can reach body parts that otherwise seem unreachable. Robotic surgery minimizes blood loss and pain after surgery.

“More in-depth study is underway to understand individual differences to tailor treatments for different patients,” continued Dr. Kancharia. “By employing a personalized approach to cancer treatment, the odds of the treatments working will greatly improve.”


About Southlake Oncology
Southlake Oncology, located in the Southlake and Grapevine area is a community-focused oncology practice that delivers exceptional care to North Texas cancer patients with a variety of cancer diagnoses and blood disorders. Like the other Choice Cancer Care facilities, we are an independent treatment center that is physician-owned.