Medical oncology uses non-invasive treatment options, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy, to treat various cancers. For each type of cancer, depending on the stage of diagnosis, different anti-cancer drugs are administered as a part of medical oncology in combination with different cancer therapies, such as radiation therapy and surgery.
Medical oncology is one of the key cancer treatment modalities, and it focuses on treating cancer with non-surgical methods. The treatments administered as a part of medical oncology are systemic, i.e., they identify cancer cells present throughout the body and destroy them. The different types of treatments recommended as a part of medical oncology include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy. Medical oncologists collaborate with other cancer care specialists and healthcare professionals, such as surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, hemato-oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and supportive care providers, to provide comprehensive cancer care.
Some of the treatments used in medical oncology are:
Chemotherapy involves the delivery of drugs to kill or prevent the growth of fast-dividing cells, including cancer cells. However, chemotherapy also affects normal, healthy cells that divide rapidly, leading to various side effects.
The immune system has the natural ability to recognize and eliminate abnormal cells, including cancer cells. However, cancer cells use specialized mechanisms to mask themselves against the immune system’s attack. Immunotherapy re-activates the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. Different types of immunotherapy treatment include:
It is a targeted treatment that mimics the immune system's ability to fight specific pathogens, including cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies can trigger immune responses, block growth signals, or deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells.
Dendritic cell therapy uses dendritic cells, a type of immune cell, to stimulate the immune system's response against cancer. In this therapy, dendritic cells are taken from a patient, exposed to cancer-specific antigens in the laboratory, and then administered back to the patient. It enhances the ability of the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells containing those antigens.
T-cell therapy, specifically CAR-T cell therapy, involves genetically modifying the T cells of the patients to express a receptor (CAR) that identifies specific proteins in cancer cells. Once administered back to the patient, these engineered T cells target and destroy cancer cells.
Oncolytic virus therapy uses viruses to selectively infect and destroy cancer cells. These viruses replicate within cancer cells, causing their destruction. The therapy also stimulates an immune response, enhancing the body's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cytokine therapy uses specific proteins called cytokines to stimulate the immune system and increase its ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. Examples of cytokine therapy include interferons and interleukins. These proteins inhibit cancer cell growth, modulate the immune response, and promote immune cell activity.
A cancer vaccine stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Cancer vaccines treat or prevent cancer, unlike traditional vaccines that prevent infectious diseases. They contain antigens that are derived from cancer cells encoding cancer-specific proteins.
Targeted therapy disrupts the processes that allow cancer cells to survive and spread. Targeted therapy is used in the treatment of various cancers, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. The use of targeted therapy depends on the type of cancer. Targeted therapy may be delivered alone or with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy to enhance treatment effectiveness.
Hormone therapy targets the hormones that fuel the growth of certain cancers. Hormone therapy is frequently used in treating hormone receptor-positive breast cancers and prostate cancers. It may be used as part of the primary treatment or after surgery or radiation therapy. Hormone therapy may be administered for a specific period or continuously, depending on the type and stage of cancer.
Choosing the best medical oncologist in India for your treatment is an important yet challenging decision. The following measures may assist the patients and their relatives in finding the best medical oncology doctor in India. These measures include:
Selecting a doctor with experience in medical oncology is important for effective cancer care. The patients should find a doctor with significant experience treating specific types of cancer. Experience gained through clinical practice results in a deep understanding of the disease and assists oncologists in developing personalized treatment plans.
When considering the best medical oncologist in Bangalore, it is important to receive information about the number of patients they have treated. This information can provide detailed insights into the doctor's experience, workload, and ability to manage various cancer cases. The patients should visit the hospital and get information about the current workload and schedule of the medical oncologist. The patients should ensure the oncologist has the time and availability to provide appropriate, personalized care.
The medical oncology team follows a multidisciplinary approach, with several healthcare professionals collaborating to provide comprehensive and individualized cancer care. Some of the medical oncology team members include medical oncology doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, oncology nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation specialists.
The patients and their caregivers should ask about the various facilities and special services available at the hospital. They may inquire about the treatment facilities, availability of the dedicated chemotherapy ward, availability of various treatment options, presence of psychological services and counseling, assistance for financial concerns, genetic counseling, rehabilitation services, and nutrition support (availability of a dietitian or nutritionist).
Once the patient is convinced by the experience of the cancer specialists and the facilities available at the medical oncology hospital, they may book an appointment for consultation. The patients or their caregivers should contact the clinic to get information about the availability of the oncologist and the potential dates and times of consultation. Choose from the given time and date, which is convenient. Verifying if the hospital accepts the particular health insurance is also important. Once the appointment is booked, the care officers at the hospital will share the confirmation details. They may also send a reminder one or two days before the appointment. On the day of the appointment, we recommend patients prepare a list of all questions and concerns that they wish to ask their specialists during their consultation.
In all hubs and spokes of the HCG network, we house full-fledged medical oncology departments equipped with modern treatment and disease management facilities.
As a leading comprehensive cancer hospital in Bangalore, HCG boasts a well-established medical oncology department. It employs a robust team of medical oncologists who specialize in administering different types of systemic therapies for various cancer types.
As a leading cancer hospital in Ahmedabad, HCG provides access to comprehensive medical oncology services. This department has well-trained experts who specialize in cancer management using different systemic therapies.
As a top cancer hospital in Mumbai, HCG houses a medical oncology department that is equipped with all modern facilities. Our medical oncologists employ a personalized approach while devising treatment plans.
As a leading cancer hospital in Kolkata, HCG EKO provides comprehensive medical oncology services to patients in and around West Bengal. With highly experienced medical oncologists at its disposal, this department offers the highest quality care.
Some of the comprehensive cancer treatments, other than medical oncology treatment, are:
It focuses on the surgical management of cancer. Surgical oncologists are surgeons who have received additional training in the diagnosis, staging, and surgical removal of cancerous tumors. The surgical oncology team works closely with other members of the expert team, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals.
Radiation oncology uses ionizing radiation to treat cancer. The radiation therapy can be delivered from the outside (external beam radiation therapy) or inside (brachytherapy). Radiation oncologists specialize in administering radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment. Radiation therapy aims to damage or destroy cancer cells with the assistance of high-energy radiation while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Preventive oncology aims to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals through healthy lifestyle choices, early detection and risk reduction strategies, regular check-ups, screenings, and adherence to recommended vaccination schedules, especially in individuals with high cancer risk.
HCG is a leading cancer care provider and is the best hospital for medical oncology in India. HCG offers various advanced diagnostic, treatment, and management services for cancer care under a single roof. The expert team here employs a multidisciplinary approach to cancer management and offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. The hospital provides advanced treatment facilities, including cutting-edge and evidence-based treatments. The medical oncology department provides detailed knowledge about the disease and possible treatment options, allowing patients to make informed decisions. Services also include psychological support and nutritional counseling.