The very term cancer used to evoke fear, due to the high possibility of morbidity surrounding it. It is known to be a destructive disease but researchers have found ways with which they can reduce its menace. From the time of Pharaoh in 2000 BC till today, man has been engaged in the constant endeavour to overcome the menace of certain death by cancer. This has happened due to the development of various technologies of unique capabilities in radiotherapy, modern medicines with nano-particle technology that can change the cancer scenario by attacking cancer cells in a specialised manner. Further genetic-targeted therapy has restricted the continuous growing of cancer cells.

Currently, the world is moving from evidence-based generalised medicine to evidence-based personalised medicine. In order to get the right treatment, opinion from a specialist is important. The world is seeing a shift where patients are taking opinions from a team of specialists. This is ideally a combination of medical, radiation and surgical oncology. Hence, the world is moving forward towards combination therapies to manage cancer.

Now, with super sensitive DNA testing, doctors can detect the defective genetic code in a cancer cell. The day isn’t too far when doctors can correct all genetic defects related to cancer. There is an overwhelming progress in radiotherapy innovations. Researchers say that DNA testing will reach greater heights and the defective gene in a cancer cell can be identified accurately and targeted. Here are some of the state-of-the-art treatment methods, by which doctors can destroy cancer cells and nip the disease in the bud.

3D CRT: Three-dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy, which is specially used to detect tumours in the brain, abnormally shaped tumours and tumours surrounded by tissue that is highly sensitive to radiation.

IMRT: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, which has a specific and streamlined approach to targeting tumours. It is designed to attack tumours by protecting soft and sensitive tissue.

IGRT: Image Guided Radiation Therapy, makes use of high-resolution image mapping of tissue to zero in on the exact location of the tumour. Two robotically-controlled arms capture CT, fluoroscopic and X-ray images of the tumour

Proton Beam: A type of particle therapy which uses a high-power beam to remove diseased cancer tissue.