Beyond Chemo & Radiation: A Guide to Modern Cancer Treatments
At Dr. Lodaya Hospital in Haveri, we are committed to bringing these advanced treatment options to our patients. This guide will explain three pillars of modern cancer care: Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Hormone Therapy—in simple, clear language.
1. Immunotherapy: Unleashing Your Body's Own Defense System
Your immune system is designed to seek out and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. But cancer cells, they can sometimes hide from the immune system or send “stop” signals that prevent immune cells from attacking.
Immunotherapy works by helping your own immune system recognize and fight cancer cells .
How It Works
Think of your immune cells (T-cells) as soldiers, and cancer cells as enemies wearing disguises. Immunotherapy either removes the cancer’s disguise or gives the soldiers a boost to fight harder.
Types of Immunotherapy
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Immunotherapy Type
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How It Works
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Common Side Effects
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|---|---|---|
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
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Block "off switches" on immune cells so they can attack cancer
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Immune-related: skin rash, diarrhea, inflammation of lungs or liver
|
|
CAR T-Cell Therapy
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Patient's T-cells are genetically modified to better recognize and kill cancer cells
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Cytokine release syndrome (fever, flu-like), neurotoxicity
|
|
Cancer Vaccines
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Stimulate immune response against tumor-specific antigens
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Flu-like symptoms, injection site reactions
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|
Oncolytic Virus Therapy
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Genetically modified viruses infect and kill cancer cells
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Flu-like symptoms, local inflammation
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Who Can Benefit?
Immunotherapy has shown remarkable success in cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and certain blood cancers. Research continues to expand its applications to more cancer types .
2. Targeted Therapy: Attacking Cancer's Specific Weaknesses
Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells (both healthy and cancerous), targeted therapy focuses on specific molecules and pathways that drive cancer growth . Think of it as a precision-guided missile rather than a carpet bomb.
How It Works
Cancer cells often have specific genetic mutations that allow them to grow uncontrollably. Targeted therapies interfere with these specific pathways, essentially “starving” the cancer or blocking its growth signals .
Examples of Targeted Therapy
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Target
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Cancer Type
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How It Works
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|---|---|---|
|
HER2
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Breast cancer
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Blocks protein that promotes cancer growth
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|
EGFR
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Lung cancer, colorectal cancer
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Blocks growth signals
|
|
KRAS G12C
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Lung cancer
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Targets specific mutation
|
|
PIK3CA
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Breast cancer
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Blocks signaling pathway
|
|
PARP
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Ovarian, breast, prostate cancer
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Prevents cancer cells from repairing DNA damage
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Benefits of Targeted Therapy
- * Precision: Affects cancer cells more than normal cells
- * Often fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy
- * Oral options available: Some targeted therapies are pills taken at home
Side Effects
Side effects vary but may include fatigue, diarrhea, skin problems, or blood pressure changes .
3. Hormone Therapy: Blocking Fuel for Cancer Growth
Certain cancers rely on hormones to grow. Hormone therapy (also called endocrine therapy) works by either blocking the body’s ability to produce hormones or interfering with how hormones interact with cancer cells .
Which Cancers Are Hormone-Sensitive?
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Cancer Type
|
Fueling Hormone
|
Prevalence
|
|---|---|---|
|
Breast Cancer
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Estrogen and/or Progesterone
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About 70-80% of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive
|
|
Prostate Cancer
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Testosterone (androgens)
|
Most prostate cancers are stimulated by androgens
|
|
Ovarian Cancer
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Estrogen
|
Some ovarian cancers are hormone-sensitive
|
|
Uterine Cancer
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Estrogen
|
Some uterine cancers respond to hormone therapy
|
Types of Hormone Therapy
For Breast Cancer:
- * Tamoxifen: Blocks estrogen from binding to breast cancer cells
- * Aromatase Inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole): Reduce estrogen production in postmenopausal women
- * Fulvestrant: Degrades estrogen receptors
For Prostate Cancer:
- * Leuprolide, Goserelin: Reduce testosterone production
- * Bicalutamide, Enzalutamide: Block testosterone from binding to cancer cells
- * Abiraterone: Prevents testosterone production in adrenal glands
How Hormone Therapy Is Given
- * Oral medications (pills taken daily at home)
- * Injections (monthly or every few months at clinic)
- * Surgery: Rarely, removal of ovaries (oophorectomy) or testicles (orchiectomy)
Side Effects of Hormone Therapy
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For Breast Cancer Patients
|
For Prostate Cancer Patients
|
|---|---|
|
Hot flashes
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Hot flashes
|
|
Vaginal dryness or discharge
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Reduced sexual desire
|
|
Joint and muscle pain
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Erectile dysfunction
|
|
Fatigue
|
Fatigue
|
|
Bone thinning (osteoporosis) risk
|
Bone thinning risk
|
|
Increased risk of blood clots
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Weight gain
|
How These Therapies Work Together
Modern cancer treatment often combines multiple approaches for the best outcome .
|
Combination
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Example
|
How It Works
|
|---|---|---|
|
Hormone Therapy + Targeted Therapy
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Fulvestrant + Alpelisib for breast cancer
|
Blocks both hormone signal and growth pathway
|
|
Immunotherapy + Chemotherapy
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Pembrolizumab + chemo for lung cancer
|
Chemo kills cells while immunotherapy trains immune system
|
|
Hormone Therapy + Radiation
|
For prostate cancer
|
Hormone therapy makes cancer cells more sensitive to radiation
|
Research is actively exploring how combining these modern therapies can overcome treatment resistance and improve outcomes .
Your Next Step: Expert Guidance at Dr. Lodaya Hospital
However, navigating these options requires expert guidance. The wrong treatment—or treatment without proper testing—can waste precious time and cause unnecessary side effects.
We invite you to schedule a consultation with our oncology team at Dr. Lodaya Hospital, Haveri. We will:
- Review your complete medical history and any previous test results
- Conduct or recommend necessary diagnostic and genetic testing
- Explain all suitable treatment options in clear, simple language
- Create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific cancer and goals
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Let our expert team guide you toward the most effective, modern treatment options available.
Contact Dr. Lodaya Hospital in Haveri today to book your oncology consultation.