Major Breakthrough Cancer Cures

Personalized Medicine

We are now moving towards a more personalized approach, redefining cancer and available treatments. Not only is the type and location of cancer important, but it is also specific to the patient's molecular and genetic makeup. Although still in the early stages, this form of treatment is rapidly evolving. This gave way to targeted therapy, which took off in the late 1990s, thus allowing doctors to customize treatment based on individual patient needs. Since then, this approach has improved significantly, as genetic testing and genetic mutations become a key area of interest. New research has possibly uncovered the 'Achilles heel' of cancer cells, allowing researchers to focus on the core mutation within cancer cells.

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Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy waves to destroy cancer cells localized to a specific area within the affected individual's body. The type of energy used in radiation therapy to treat various types of cancer is called ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation works by causing irreversible damage to the DNA inside of the cancerous cells. This damage causes them to die immediately or inhibits their processes of growth and division. There are two types of radiation therapy used to treat malignant tumors. External beam radiation therapy works through the use of an external machine to focus the beam of radiation onto the treatment site. Internal radiation therapy works through the use of a radioactive substance implanted temporarily or permanently into the body near or inside of the cancerous tissue. Internal radiation therapy is usually reserved for selective cases where preservation of healthy tissues around the malignant tumor is critical. Radiation therapy can be used alone, alongside surgical procedures, or with chemotherapy to curatively treat a patient's cancer.

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