Cancer Treatment Technologies

There are several cancer treatment modalities – surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological therapy – that can slow or halt cancer progression.

A multidisciplinary team of doctors – specialist surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists – may decide to use one or a combination of therapies based on the following factors:

Type and extent of tumour involvement (tumour factor, staging)
Treatment goals
Patient characteristics (health status, age, co-morbids)
Evidence and guidelines
Patient preference
Cost

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy that does not involve incisions, hence is it not considered as a surgery. Rather, it is a stereotactic radiotherapy that precisely converges hundreds of individual laser beams to a very small precise area affected by the tumour.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a non-invasive procedure commonly used for the treatment of brain tumour, and as a complementary or alternative treatment to chemotherapy, surgery, and other forms of radiation therapy.

In Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, the “knife”, which refers to the 192 precisely focused beams, targets tumours and gradually shrinks or halt their growth. These radiation beams are precisely focused and directed to the target area while sparing surrounding healthy tissues.

Leksell Gamma Knife® ICON™ is a state-of-the-art radiosurgery machine that can treat benign tumour, metastatic tumour, vascular disorder, and functional disorder.

Learn more about Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Linear Accelerator (LINAC)

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells by killing them or limiting their growth. These cancer cells will either stop proliferating or die. When these damaged cells die, they are broken down and eliminated by the body.

Radiation therapy is usually provided on an outpatient basis over several weeks.

Types of radiation therapy provided by the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) - Elekta Versa HD machine include:

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT):IMRT uses radiation beams that are split into smaller beamlets of varying radiation intensity to deliver radiation doses across the tumour.
Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT):IGRT uses frequent imaging during radiotherapy to improve the precision and accuracy of radiation delivery.
Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT):Also known as Rapid Arc, VMAT uses a machine that constantly changes the shape and intensity of the beam while moving around the patient’s body to improve accuracy and reduce treatment time.

Other types of technologies in radiation oncology include Brachytherapy and Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT).

Find out more about the differences between these two cancer treatments: Chemotherapy vs Radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that utilises medications to kill cancer cells, or slow/halt the rapid growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is administered orally or intravenously (IV) to provide systemic circulation of the drugs to all parts of the body. It is given on an outpatient basis in cycles, alternating periods of treatment, and rest.

Chemotherapy may be used with other treatments to:

Reduce the size of a tumour prior to surgery or radiation therapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
Kill cancer cells that may still be present after surgery or radiation therapy (adjuvant chemotherapy)
Increase the efficiency of other treatments
Kill cancer cells that have returned or spread to other parts of the body

Chemotherapy treatment is generally associated with improved overall results and minimised side effects.

Find out more about the differences between these two cancer treatments: Chemotherapy vs Radiotherapy.

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) for Surgical Oncology

While surgery is among the oldest forms of cancer treatment, it remains the main treatment option used for diagnosis, staging, and physical removal of malignant tumours from the body which help in reducing the number of cancer cells, controlling the spread, and relieving symptoms.

In contrast to open surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) aims to perform surgery with minimal harm to the body by creating an access to the surgical site through the smallest incisions possible. Many cancers that required an open surgery in the past can now be treated with MIS.

MIS offers several benefits such as:

Shorter hospital stay
Faster recovery
Better cosmesis
Lesser pain
Lesser blood loss
Cost-effective

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is a cancer treatment that slows or stops the growth of hormone-fuelled cancers with surgery or drugs to block the natural hormones of the body.

Hormone therapy is prescribed for cancers such as breast and prostate cancer that depend on hormones to grow.

Surgery involves the removal of hormone-producing organs such as the ovaries or testes, while drugs may be administered intravenously or orally.

Hormone therapy is typically used alongside other cancer treatments to:

Reduce the size of a tumour prior to surgery or radiation therapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
Kill cancer cells that may still be present after surgery or radiation therapy (adjuvant chemotherapy)
Kill cancer cells that have returned or spread to other parts of the body

Immunotherapy

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a non-invasive, advanced nuclear diagnostic scan that provides detailed information on the activity of an organ or a system in your body.

Immunotherapy aims to:

Slow or stop cancer cells development
Prevent the spread of cancer cells
Enhance the ability of the immune system to eliminate cancer cells

Biological Targeted Therapy

Biological targeted therapy is a cancer treatment that targets proteins responsible for the growth, proliferation and spread of cancer cells.

While standard chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells and some healthy cells, targeted therapy focuses on specific targets (molecules) in cancer cells.

Monoclonal antibodies, interferon, interleukin-2, and colony-stimulating factors such as GM-CSF and G-CSF are given to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight the cancer or protect the body from infection.

Monoclonal antibodies mark molecules in cancer cells, allowing them to be better identified and destroyed by the immune system. Some monoclonal antibodies also directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells or trigger their destruction

Palliative Medicine

Palliative medicine aims to improve the quality of life of patients with serious or life-threatening diseases, such as cancer. Palliative medicine minimises suffering by relieving pain, symptoms and stress.

Typically, palliative medicine is provided by palliative care specialists who are doctors trained and certified in palliative care.

Palliative care focuses on the cancer patient as a whole instead of solely treating their illness.

Palliative care integrates a patient's unique needs into treatment to address a wide range of matters, which includes managing disease symptoms and side effects, as well as providing psychological, social, and spiritual support. It also provides educational support to the patient’s family members and caregivers.

Each cancer patient is different and will receive a customised treatment plan. Your oncologist or surgeon will recommend the suitable cancer treatment options and coordinate your care and guide you through all aspects of your journey.

While some cancer patients only receive one type of cancer therapy, a majority of patients will require a combination of therapies to effectively eliminate cancer cells. It is understandable to feel confused and overwhelmed with the vast amount of information on cancer and available treatments. Nonetheless, our advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies aim to provide the best possible outcome while minimising your side effects and recovery time.

Make an appointment at Pantai Hospitals

If you experience any signs and symptoms of cancer or would like to be screened for cancer, get in touch with us to find out more about our Oncology Services at your nearest Pantai Hospital.

A dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialists and oncologists at Pantai Hospitals is available for consultation to provide the best care and assistance to patients through screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Pantai Hospitals have been accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) for its commitment to patient safety and service quality.