Scaling Back on Cancer Treatment Can Lead to Better Outcomes for Patients

Doctors from around the world recently reported at the largest cancer conference that they were able to scale back treatment for three types of cancer without compromising outcomes. Studies found that doing less — less surgery, less chemotherapy, or less radiation — can help patients live longer and feel better in the long run. This approach is part of a long-term trend toward optimizing cancer care by studying whether extensive treatments are necessary.

The Trend Toward Doing Less

The trend toward doing less in cancer treatment is a far cry from the approach of 30 years ago, when extensive surgeries and massive doses of chemotherapy combined with bone marrow transplants were the norm. Unfortunately, these methods did not work as well as researchers had hoped and left patients suffering. As a result, researchers have begun asking the question, “Do we need all that treatment that we have used in the past?”

The good news is that cancer treatment is now more effective and associated with fewer short-term and long-term complications. Improved drugs have made it possible to effectively treat certain cancers without the need for extensive surgical interventions or harsh treatments. Furthermore, this trend toward doing less has led to new research showing that scaling back treatment can make life easier for patients without compromising outcomes.

Studying Three Types of Cancer

Doctors have studied three types of cancer to determine if less treatment can be just as effective as extensive treatments. Here are some of the key findings from these studies:

Ovarian Cancer

French researchers found that it’s safe to avoid removing lymph nodes that appear healthy during surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. The study showed that there was no difference in how long the patients lived between the two groups and that those with less-extreme surgery had fewer complications, such as the need for blood transfusions.

Esophageal Cancer

A German study looked at 438 people with a type of cancer of the esophagus and found that both techniques involving surgery were considered standard treatments for it. Half of the patients received chemotherapy and surgery on the esophagus, while the other half received chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. After three years, they found that patients who received chemotherapy and surgery were more likely to survive than those who received all three treatments.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

A comparison of two chemotherapy regimens for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma found that the less intensive treatment was more effective for the blood cancer and caused fewer side effects. After four years, the less harsh chemo kept the disease in check in 94% of people, compared to 91% of those who had the more intense treatment. This study included 1,482 people in nine countries and was funded by Takeda Oncology, the maker of one of the drugs used in the gentler chemo that was studied.

The Future of Cancer Treatment

The trend toward scaling back cancer treatment has led to new research that provides patients with a better quality of life while still ensuring good outcomes. With improved drugs and new research, cancer care is becoming more effective and easier to tolerate. Patients and researchers alike are asking the important question of whether extensive treatments are necessary. In the future, this trend toward doing less will likely continue to shape how doctors approach cancer treatment.

Originally Post From https://kstp.com/associated-press/ap-medical/cancer-patients-often-do-better-with-less-intensive-treatment-new-research-finds/

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