Cancer is a serious and complicated disease. It needs proper diagnosis, specialised treatment and complete care. Given the challenges in treating cancer, patients need access to advanced medical facilities that follow a team-based approach to improve treatment results. In Delhi, leading cancer treatment centres offer a range of advanced therapies to meet the specific needs of each patient. These healthcare centres ensure cure with personalised care. Let’s explore the cancer treatment options and the important role of comprehensive cancer care centres.
Cancer Treatment Approaches
Cancer treatment typically involves a combination of therapies to eliminate the tumour and improve quality of life. Key treatment options include:-
- Chemotherapy: Drugs are used to kill or slow cancer cell growth, especially for cancers that have spread or when surgery isn’t possible. Chemotherapy can be combined with other treatments for better results.
- Radiation Therapy: High-energy radiation targets and destroys cancer cells, mainly used for localised cancers or to shrink tumours before surgery. Technological advancements have made it more precise.
- Surgical Oncology: Surgery removes the tumour and surrounding tissue. It’s often curative for localised cancers, and minimally invasive techniques reduce recovery times and complications.
- Immunotherapy: Boosts the immune system to fight cancer by helping it recognise and destroy cancer cells, effective for cancers like melanoma and some lung cancers.
- Targeted Therapy: Focuses on specific molecules in cancer cells, offering precise treatment with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
- Hormone Therapy: Blocks or lowers hormones that fuel certain cancers, like breast and prostate cancer, often used with other treatments.
Advanced Cancer Treatments Available in India
In India, cancer care has seen significant advancements that improve treatment success and minimise side effects:-
- Robotic Surgery: This technique has transformed cancer treatment by enabling highly precise, minimally invasive procedures. It leads to faster recovery, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays. Robotic surgery is especially effective for prostate, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers.
- TomoTherapy and HDR Brachytherapy: TomoTherapy is an advanced radiation therapy that precisely targets the tumour while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. Similarly, High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy delivers concentrated radiation directly to the tumour, resulting in effective treatment with fewer side effects.
- Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): HIPEC is used for cancers that spread to the abdominal lining, such as peritoneal carcinomatosis. It involves the direct application of heated chemotherapy into the abdominal cavity, increasing the drug’s effectiveness and lowering the risk of recurrence.
The Tumour Board – A Collaborative Approach to Cancer Care
Many cancer treatment centres form a Tumour Board, consisting of specialists who work together to review each case and develop a personalised treatment plan. The team typically includes medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. This collaborative approach ensures all aspects of a patient’s treatment are carefully considered, leading to the best possible results.
Support Services – Holistic Cancer Care
Alongside medical treatments, comprehensive cancer care centres in Delhi offer vital support services that enhance the overall well-being of patients. These services address the emotional, psychological, and social challenges of living with cancer:-
- Palliative Care: Focused on easing the symptoms and stress of cancer, palliative care improves the patient’s quality of life. It can be integrated at any stage of treatment, helping manage pain and other discomforts.
- Psycho-Oncology Counselling: Cancer often brings emotional and psychological challenges. Psycho-oncology counselling helps patients and their families cope with the emotional impact, offering strategies to manage anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Genetic Counselling: This service helps individuals understand their risk of inherited cancers. By evaluating family history and genetic factors, genetic counsellors provide insights on preventive measures and the potential for passing genetic mutations to future generations.
These support services play a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive holistic care, promoting physical and emotional healing throughout their cancer journey.
Know more about : The Role Of Immunotherapy In The Treatment Of Advanced-Stage Cancers
Community Outreach and Cancer Awareness
Growing awareness about early cancer detection and prevention is key to improving treatment results. Many healthcare centres in Delhi, including reputed hospitals like BLK Max Super Specialty Hospital, actively engage in community outreach programs. These initiatives educate the public on the importance of regular screenings and early diagnosis, helping to identify cancers at an early stage when treatment is most effective. By creating awareness, these programs encourage individuals to take proactive steps in managing their health, ultimately reducing the overall burden of cancer in the community.
Conclusion
Cancer treatment in Delhi requires a comprehensive approach that combines the latest medical advancements with patient-centred care. With various treatment options available, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy, patients have access to therapies suited to their condition. A collaborative treatment approach, backed by advanced technology and a multidisciplinary team, can greatly improve outcomes and help patients through their cancer journey.
