The History and Future of Non-Surgical Cancer Treatments and Interventional Oncology in the 21st Century

Cancer has been a major health concern for decades and has affected millions of people worldwide. Traditional cancer treatments mainly involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which can be invasive and have side effects. However, advances in medicine have led to the development of non-surgical cancer treatments and interventional oncology, which have provided new hope in the fight against cancer.

Non-Surgical Cancer Treatments:

Chemotherapy: This type of treatment involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Although it has been used for several decades, it is not specific to cancer cells and can also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting.

Radiation therapy: This treatment involves the use of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It can be used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. Side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue, skin irritation, and hair loss.

Immunotherapy: This newer treatment involves using the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. It is specific to cancer cells and does not harm healthy cells, leading to fewer side effects. However, not all patients are eligible for this treatment, and it can be expensive.

Targeted therapy: This treatment involves using drugs that target specific genes or proteins involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. It is also specific to cancer cells and does not harm healthy cells, leading to fewer side effects.

Minimally invasive (interventional) oncology is a medical field that involves minimal use of interventional methods in cancer treatment. These methods aim to reduce the use of surgical instruments in surgical interventions and shorten the recovery period of the patient. Minimal interventional oncology may include different methods such as freezing (cryoablation), burning (radiofrequency ablation) applied by laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, endoscopic surgery and interventional radiology.

Laparoscopic surgery: This method involves the use of surgical instruments by passing them through small holes during the surgical intervention. Laparoscopic surgery causes less tissue damage during surgical intervention than open surgery and shortens the recovery time of the patient.
Robotic surgery: This method involves controlling surgical instruments using robot technology during surgical intervention. Robotic surgery causes less tissue damage during surgical intervention than open surgery and shortens the recovery time of the patient.
Endoscopic surgery: This method involves checking surgical instruments using an endoscope (an optical device with magnification and light-emitting properties) during surgery. Endoscopic surgery causes less tissue damage during surgical intervention than open surgery and shortens the recovery time of the patient.
Interventional radiology applications: In short, they are applications that aim to destroy the tumor by burning, freezing or blocking the feeding vessel. These interventions aim to prevent the proliferation of cancerous cells and usually do not require surgical intervention. Minimally invasive applications usually do not require general anesthesia, the procedures are performed under local anesthesia. Interventional radiology applications in oncology may include the following.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): This method aims to destroy the cancerous tissue by heating it.
Embolization: This method aims to block the feeding of cancer cells by blocking the arteries that carry blood to the tumor. Embolization is a treatment option that prevents cancer cells from multiplying and stopping their growth.
Chemoembolization: This method aims to prevent the administration of drugs that prevent the proliferation of cancerous cells and to prevent the feeding of cancerous cells.
Cryoablation: This method works by freezing the cancerous tissue.
Microwave ablation: A treatment for a tumor or other tissue abnormality using a microwave energy source. This method provides rapid heating of the tumor or other abnormal tissue, thereby destroying the tissue.

Interventional Oncology:

Interventional oncology is a field of medicine that focuses on using minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat cancer. This field includes procedures such as radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to destroy cancer cells, and embolization, which blocks blood flow to tumors.

History of Non-Surgical Cancer Treatments and Interventional Oncology:

Non-surgical cancer treatments and interventional oncology have a relatively short history compared to traditional cancer treatments. Chemotherapy was first used in the 1940s and radiation therapy in the 1950s. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are relatively new treatments that have gained popularity in recent years.

Interventional oncology procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation and embolization, were first developed in the 1990s. Since then, there have been significant advancements in the field, and interventional oncology has become an integral part of cancer treatment.

Future of Non-Surgical Cancer Treatments and Interventional Oncology:

The future of cancer treatment is promising, with advancements in precision medicine and genetic testing leading to more personalized treatments. This will enable doctors to target specific genes or proteins involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells, leading to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are expected to become more common in the coming years, as research continues to reveal new and innovative ways to use these treatments. Additionally, interventional oncology procedures are likely to become more advanced and widely used, providing new options for patients who are not eligible for surgery.

Conclusion:

Non-surgical cancer treatments and interventional oncology have provided new hope in the fight against cancer. While traditional cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy remain essential, non-surgical treatments and interventional oncology provide less invasive options with fewer side effects. With continued advancements in medicine and research, the future of cancer treatment looks promising, and patients can remain hopeful for more effective and personalized treatments in the years to come.