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What is Precision Oncology and How It Personalizes Cancer Care

Precision Oncology to Improve Cancer Treatment Outcomes

13 Jan, 2026

Dr. Lohith G. Reddy, Senior Consultant - Radiation Oncology

This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Lohith G. Reddy, Senior Consultant - Radiation Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, K. R. Road, Bangalore.

Table of Contents

Precision oncology is a personalized way to treat cancer that looks at the genetic and molecular makeup of a tumor. Precision oncology helps doctors choose the best treatments for a tumor by finding biomarkers that may affect how the cancer grows. This approach could help doctors recommend precise treatment options while also helping patients with informed decision-making.

In this article, we touch upon various aspects of precision oncology, including precision oncology meaning, how it works, how it stands out, and what its benefits are.

How Does Precision Oncology Work?

Precision oncology involves detailed analyses of tumor DNA, proteins, and molecular pathways; precision oncology aims to identify specific changes that may help guide treatment.

Doctors can obtain this information through genomic sequencing, liquid biopsies, and special pathology tests. These results help find targeted therapy or immunotherapy options that are right for the tumor. Precision oncology helps doctors plan treatments based on biological evidence instead of a "one size fits all" approach.

How is Precision Oncology Different from Traditional Cancer Treatment?

Precision oncology looks at biomarkers that are specific to each tumor, while traditional cancer treatment follows standard procedures based on the type and stage of cancer.

Precision medicine in oncology examines genetic and molecular patterns to select therapies that may be more effective for a specific patient. This method may help identify specific drugs, assess which treatments will work best, and eventually help with personalized treatment planning.

Precision oncology works well with standard care and may provide more options to target cancer precisely.

Recent Advances in Cancer Research

Recent progress in cancer research has made it easier to use precision oncology in everyday care. Next-generation sequencing is now easier to get, which allows doctors to examine many genes at once. Another significant advancement is liquid biopsy, which enables doctors to monitor mutations during treatment in a less invasive manner. These methods help identify genetic changes that could affect the effectiveness of the treatment.

We have more personalized targeted therapy approaches that are designed based on the specific mutations and specific molecular structures and cellular pathways found in the cancer cells. This makes it possible to match more patients with promising treatments. Immunotherapy biomarkers like PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden are helping doctors figure out who might benefit from certain immunotherapy drugs.

Lately, AI tools or systems are being used for interpreting data to accelerate the decision-making process. These tools could help you look at complicated genomic results more quickly. Researchers are working to increase how often patients get molecular testing and to use those results to guide treatment at every stage of care.

The field of precision oncology has rapidly evolved in recent years. These advancements may enhance diagnostics, predict treatment responses, and uncover new alternatives for patients with limited conventional therapies.

Is Precision Oncology Effective?

The efficacy of precision oncology is dependent on the specific cancer type, the availability of actionable biomarkers, and the patient's overall health status. Precision oncology could work if a tumor has certain mutations that are compatible with approved targeted therapies. These drugs work on molecular drivers that could be causing the tumor to grow. Treatment may be more effective when a definitive biomarker is identified, in contrast to non-targeted strategies.

Numerous studies indicate that patients with tumors possessing specific targetable mutations may achieve improved outcomes when aligned with appropriate therapies. But not all cancers have mutations that can be targeted, and not all mutations have drugs that can be used. In these situations, precision oncology may still be useful by providing information about the prognosis or possible clinical trial options.

Liquid biopsy has made it easier for doctors to keep an eye on how well treatment is working. If new mutations appear, the treatment may need to be changed. It is critical for molecular tumor boards to look over the results and suggest options that are based on evidence.

Not all patients can benefit from precision oncology yet. Some patients may do well, while others may not. Precision oncology is a constantly evolving field that improves with additional research. It is important to talk to a cancer specialist to learn how precision oncology can help you make treatment choices.

Alternate Terms for Precision Oncology

Personalized oncology, individualized cancer therapy, molecular oncology, targeted cancer treatment, biomarker-driven oncology, genomic-guided cancer care, molecularly matched therapy, personalized precision oncology, tumor-specific therapy, and mutation-directed treatment are all common terms for precision oncology.

Why Choose HCG Cancer Hospital for Precision Oncology?

HCG is known for its integrated approach to precision oncology, which uses advanced diagnostics and expert clinical decision-making together. Patients can get molecular testing, such as genomic sequencing and liquid biopsy, which may help find treatment options that are right for their tumor profile.

When our multidisciplinary tumor board reviews cases, it looks at biomarker results, along with other diagnostic reports, before suggesting the best treatment strategy or clinical trial for a particular case. HCG also provides targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and supportive services all in one system, making it easier for patients to understand and use precision oncology.

Conclusion

Precision oncology is changing how we treat cancer by looking at the unique biology of each tumor. Depending on the biomarkers and clinical evidence that are available, it may help doctors choose treatments that are more likely to work for a specific patient. Precision oncology doesn't replace standard treatments, but it does provide useful information that could help patients receive more precise treatment. As research moves forward, it is becoming a key part of planning modern cancer treatment.

Precision Oncology Hospitals in India

Frequently Asked Questions

A precision oncologist is a cancer doctor who uses genetic and molecular information to help them decide how to treat a patient. They look at the results of biomarkers and find treatments that might work with the tumor's biology.

Precision oncology will play a big role in how cancer care will be in the future. As tests and targeted drugs get better, it may give patients more personalized choices. It complements conventional treatments instead of supplanting them.

A common example is checking a lung tumor for an EGFR mutation and then giving it an EGFR-targeted drug if the mutation is there. This match may help people respond better to treatment.

The four Ps of precision medicine include predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory. These principles explain how cancer care is personalized based on biological and clinical factors.

Predictive: Involves studying genetic profiles to predict cancer risk before the presentation of symptoms.

Preventive: Employs cancer prevention strategies and early detection approaches to reduce the risk of cancer.

Personalized: Focuses on planning treatment interventions based on the individual case parameters, such as the unique genetic makeup, lifestyle factors, and environmental factors.

Participatory: Encourages patients to participate in their treatment decisions for an overall empowering treatment experience.

Targeted therapies are a big part of precision oncology, but the approach also includes testing for biomarkers, molecular diagnostics, and creating treatment plans based on the characteristics of the tumor. Testing is important because not every patient will have a mutation that can be targeted.

References

Dr. Lohith G. Reddy, Senior Consultant - Radiation Oncology

About the Reviewer

Dr. Lohith G. Reddy

Senior Consultant - Radiation Oncology
MBBS, DNB (Radiation Oncology), F-ESMO

Dr. Lohith Reddy is a seasoned radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment and management of a broad spectrum of cancers through personalized radiation treatments. He can be consulted at HCG Cancer Centre, a leading cancer hospital in Bangalore. He is also the head of Immunoradiotherapy and Functional Radiosurgery and the lead of the Precision Radiation Oncology Initiative. He specializes in the management of benign brain and spinal tumors through CyberKnife SBRT and SRS. He treats disseminated diseases using a multidisciplinary, targeted approach.

Considered one of the best radiation oncologists in Bangalore, he employs cutting-edge technology to deliver personalized, tumor-specific, highly sophisticated radiation therapy for every patient.

Appointment Link: Book an Appointment with Dr. Lohith G. Reddy

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