Targeted approaches in cancer care focus on specific features of cancer cells; this includes genes, proteins, or other biological markers. Unlike treatments that act broadly on dividing cells, targeted approaches use detailed information about an individual tumor to guide each decision. Here are several things to know about these approaches, how they differ from traditional treatments, and how patients work with their care teams:
Comparing Traditional and Targeted Methods
Traditional cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy acts on rapidly dividing cells, a group that includes both cancer cells and certain healthy cells. Surgery and radiation direct their effects toward a specific area of the body, and providers select them based on tumor location and stage.
Targeted approaches aim to act on particular molecules or processes that play a role in cancer growth. Because these markers vary from person to person, providers typically order specific tests before recommending a targeted option. Those results shape the entire plan.
A targeted approach doesn’t always replace traditional care, as some treatment plans combine methods. Your oncologist selects the mix based on your diagnosis, test results, and health history, so no two treatment plans are necessarily alike. Your care team will explain the reasoning behind each recommendation, such as how a medication targets specific cancer-related changes.
Examining Key Treatment Categories
Targeted cancer care includes several related categories, each working in a distinct way. Providers choose among them based on the specific characteristics of a patient’s tumor. Possible categories include:
- Targeted therapy: drugs that aim to block specific proteins or signals involved in cancer cell growth
- Immunotherapy: treatments that aim to help the immune system recognize and respond to cancer cells
- Precision medicine: an overall approach that uses genetic and molecular information to guide treatment choices
- Hormone therapy: treatments that aim to block or lower hormones that certain cancers use to grow
Targeted therapies come in various forms. Patients may take small-molecule drugs as pills, while providers administer monoclonal antibodies through an IV. Your care team will explain which form applies to your plan and what to expect during treatment. Biomarker testing ties these categories together. This testing examines a tumor or blood sample for specific genes and proteins; the results help your team determine which targeted options may apply to your diagnosis.
Partnering With Your Care Team
Your care team plays a central role in exploring targeted options, and building a productive relationship with them helps. The team may include an oncologist, a nurse navigator, a pharmacist, and a genetic counselor, each with a distinct area of focus. An oncologist helps direct your care, whether you have lung or breast cancer.
Find Professional Cancer Care
Targeted approaches in cancer care use the specific features of each tumor to guide treatment decisions. Categories include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, precision medicine, and hormone therapy; plans may also combine these with traditional treatments. Your care team builds each treatment plan from biomarker test results and your health history. To learn whether targeted options apply to your diagnosis, schedule a conversation with your oncologist today.
