Medical Oncology
Advancements in the realm of medical oncology (oncology medicine) give hope to patients and their loved ones. With an arsenal of medicines growing in range and effectiveness, we are now more proficient than before in our battle against cancer.
Current anti-cancer treatments such as cytotoxic agents, hormonal or endocrine therapy and targeted therapies have given another ray of hope for cancer patients. These are generally associated with improved overall results and reduced – or even absent – side effects.
Preeminent treatment efficacy and less impact on quality of life is what we strive to deliver to our patients. Chemotherapy is always carefully administered by qualified nurses, who have specialised training in oncology, and under the close supervision of our medical oncologists.
Anti-Cancer Treatments
Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy are medicines which either injected or taken orally to treat cancers. They work by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide. These drugs are frequently used as part of a chemotherapy regimen.
Targeted Therapy
Cancers harbour genetic mutations allowing them to grow unchecked. Targeted therapy involves use of specific drugs to block these key genetic pathways resulting in control of tumours. Because these drugs are specific to the cancer signalling pathways, they result in fewer collateral damage to normal healthy tissue.
Personalised Medicine
The same tumour in different individuals may harbour different genetic mutations, resulting in differences in response and resistance to the same treatment. In personalised medicine, blood or tumour tissue from patient are collected and sequenced to look for specific cancer causing genes. This enables doctors to understand the cancer and make treatment decisions individualised to each patient at each step of the cancer journey.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy are medications that harness the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. They mobilise and activate the patient’s natural immune system and allow it to recognise the cancer. As immunotherapy does not directly destroy cells, the side effects of immunotherapy are much less than cytotoxic chemotherapy. Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy.