Today, modern medicine makes it possible to cure or at least improve cancer and tumor diseases in many cases. Specialists in oncology are the right people to contact for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The following text deals with the various aspects of tumor therapy, briefly summarizes its mechanisms of action and highlights its opportunities and risks. You will also find selected specialists for the implementation of tumor therapies.
Cancer and tumors develop when cells in the body divide uncontrollably and grow into surrounding tissue. In advanced stages, cancer cells spread via the blood or lymph and sometimes settle in distant parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. Due to their invasive growth, tumors impair the function of the affected organs.
Depending on the type of cancer, this manifests itself in different symptoms, such as a persistent cough in the case of lung cancer.
The principle of tumor therapy is to eliminate the tumor completely or to reduce its size. Oncologists use various forms of treatment for this purpose. If possible, surgeons remove the tumor completely in an operation.
However, this is often not possible, for example if the tumor is located in vital organs such as the brain or lungs. In this case, drugs or radiotherapy help to kill the cancer cells.
Experimental therapies such as hyperthermia can also enhance this effect.
The foundation of many tumor treatments is chemotherapy. Highly effective drugs, known as cytostatics, prevent the cells from dividing and cause them to die. As cancer cells multiply rapidly, they are particularly attacked by this group of drugs.
The mechanism of action also explains the most common side effects of chemotherapy. In addition to cancer cells, cells in the hair roots, digestive tract and bone marrow also divide very quickly. This results in the well-known side effects such as
Medication can alleviate the symptoms, as can supplementary measures, such as eating lots of small meals in case of nausea. Nevertheless, chemotherapy is exhausting for patients and requires intensive care.
Chemotherapy is an important pillar in the treatment of many types of cancer © Monkey Business | AdobeStock
The timing and objectives of chemotherapy vary depending on the type of cancer and stage of the disease:
The latest development in oncology is targeted tumor therapy. Molecular biological methods are used to examine the tumor for genetic changes that represent a therapeutic approach. On this basis, the oncologist then selects the appropriate
selected. Continuous further development and improvement can be expected in the coming years.
Anti-hormonal therapy has been established for some time. It plays an important role in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer. Many breast and prostate tumors grow under the influence of the body's own sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Anti-hormonal drugs prevent the release of these hormones and thus push the tumor back.
However, the withdrawal of hormones leads to the typical side effects that are similar to the symptoms of the menopause.
Surgery is particularly effective in the early stages of cancer, as metastases have not yet formed. At this stage, oncological surgeons can often remove the tumor completely.
The tumor therapy may even be complete and the patient is considered cured. However, surgery also improves the prognosis in later stages of the disease.
Depending on the extent and location of the tumor, surgeons prefer open or minimally invasive surgery. The former gives the surgeon a better overview, while the latter is less stressful for patients.
The third pillar of tumor therapy alongside chemotherapy and surgery is radiotherapy. Radiation of different wavelengths is used to destroy the tumor tissue. Surrounding healthy cells are also affected by the radiation. However, they recover more quickly and completely after therapy than cancer cells.
The local damage to the tissue is the cause of frequent side effects of radiotherapy. Many patients experience irritation and inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. However, pain and itching can be reduced with careful care of the affected areas.
One method that has recently gained momentum is hyperthermia, i.e. overheating. This form of therapy is based on ancient knowledge about the effect of fever on various diseases. It is increasingly being investigated in clinical studies.
Previous results indicate that the combination of hyperthermia and chemotherapy is particularly effective for some breast and soft tissue tumors.
The tissue is usually heated using electromagnetic waves. Depending on the type of tumor, temperatures of up to 43 °C can be reached. At this temperature, cancer cells release certain substances that activate immune cells, which then attack the tumor.
Patients sometimes find the heat uncomfortable and complain of pain. However, severe, lasting side effects are very rare.
Tumor therapy procedures usually extend over a longer period of time. In order to cope well with these challenging weeks and months, patients often need psychosocial support in the context of psycho-oncology.
Oncologists assess the success of the treatments on an ongoing basis and also determine the follow-up care. They check at regular intervals whether the cancer has returned.
Once chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy have been completed, many patients benefit from oncological rehabilitation. In a special clinic, the physical and psychological effects of the tumor therapy are treated comprehensively. This makes it easier for patients to return to their old lives.
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