These breakthrough technologies have revolutionized cancer care in India

Some of the cutting edge technologies that have helped to change the cancer scenario in India:

Precision Medicine/Oncology

Precision medicine uses genomic information to personalize treatment For cancer the patients. It allows doctors to select the most effective treatment for a patient based on the genetic profile of their tumour. This approach has increased diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency.

Robotic surgery

It is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a robot to perform complex procedures. It is used in cancer surgery to remove tumors with greater precision, thereby minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissue. The Da Vinci Surgical System is widely used in India to perform specialized cancer procedures. surgeries.

Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

IGRT is a form of radiation therapy that uses imaging techniques to precisely locate and treat cancerous tissue. This allows a higher dose of radiation to be delivered to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

proton therapy

investments in cancer care must be prioritized to ensure that all patients have access to these advanced technologies. (Source: Freepik)

Proton therapy is another type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy proton beams to destroy cancer cells. This technology is particularly useful in the treatment of tumors located in sensitive areas of the body, such as the brain, eyes and spinal cord, where traditional radiation therapy can cause serious side effects. It also has value in childhood cancers by preventing long-term side effects.

Liquid biopsy

Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive diagnostic test that analyzes a patient’s blood or other bodily fluids for cancer cells or markers. It is useful for detecting cancer early, monitoring disease progression, and guiding treatment decisions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is used in cancer care to improve diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis. For example, AI algorithms can analyze medical images to identify cancerous tissue or predict response to different treatments.

Radiomics

Radiomics focuses on AI-powered healthcare and helps extract actionable data from medical imaging and has been applied in oncology to improve diagnosis, prognosis and clinical decision support , with the aim of providing precision medicine.

Theranostics

It is a treatment strategy that combines therapeutics with diagnosis and aids in targeted drug delivery. Its uses include Prostate cancerneuroendocrine cancers etc.

These advanced technologies have brought a new era of hope for cancer patients in India. They have improved diagnostic accuracy, increased treatment efficiency and reduced therapy side effects. However, the availability and accessibility of these technologies is still limited in many parts of the country, and there is a need to prioritize investments in cancer care to ensure that all patients have access to these technologies. advancements.

(The author is the Senior Director of Medical Department – Oncology and Hematology-Oncology at Fortis Hospitals, bangalore)

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