3 interesting research papers revealed that less aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and surgery helped cancer patients feel healthier for longer.
Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs that destroy the immune system and radiation that can damage surrounding tissue, can lead to serious complications. Surgical procedures may also lead to infection and blood loss.
The researchers explained that reducing treatment can reduce the risk of side effects and potentially fatal complications, which also means that patients are healthy enough to start healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, which is also important for surviving cancer.
The Associated Press reported that the three studies, conducted by experts from France, Germany and the United States and presented at the world's most influential cancer conference last month, specifically pointed to esophageal and ovarian cancer, as well as lymphoma in the blood.
The first study, which included 438 esophageal cancer patients, found that those treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy fared worse than those who had surgery and chemotherapy alone.
After three years, 57% of patients who received gentle treatment were alive compared to 51% of those who received aggressive treatment, the German research foundation found.
The second study, which included 379 ovarian cancer patients, found that preserving healthy lymph nodes led to fewer complications compared to cases of removing the glands to ensure that all remaining cancer cells were destroyed.
The third study compared two courses of chemotherapy for 1,482 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, conducted by Takeda Oncology in 9 European countries.
It found that 94% of people who underwent less aggressive treatment were in remission after 4 years, compared to 91% of people who underwent more severe treatment.
This is the modern approach to treatment that an increasing number of doctors around the world are adopting.
For example, breast cancer is now often treated, primarily, by removing the cancerous mass and surrounding tissue, rather than by removing the entire breast.
It turns out that women who underwent a mastectomy were more likely to suffer from infection, chronic pain, and a dangerous amount of blood loss, compared to removing tumors only, said Dr. Christine Pestana, a specialist in breast oncology surgery.
Data from this year, submitted to the journal Annals of Thoracic Surgery, showed that patients with the most common form of lung cancer live longer, on average, if they do not undergo chemotherapy before having surgery to remove the tumors.
Experts say most studies show little difference in lifespan between medical treatment methods, but show significant increases in quality of life with less aggressive treatment.
More studies are needed to determine how best to follow patients after they stop treatment.
Less aggressive cancer treatments improve patient quality of life.
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