Scientists are always finding new ways to help the fight against cancer.
3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation
3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation is beams shaped to match the exact tumor. Previously, height and width of the tumor have been matched meaning that healthy tissue was exposed to the radiation beams. Advances in imagining technology have made it possible to locate and treat tumors more precisely. This exact targeting also makes it possible to use higher levels of radiation.
Targeted Therapy
Newer medicines are being developed, knowing which genes are abnormal could help doctors know which of these medicines could be effective. One target of several new medicines is blood vessels. New medicines that target abnormal blood vessel growth are being studied. EGFR is a protein that helps cancer grow. Medicines that target EGFR have shown some benefit against cancer.
Intensity Modulated Therapy
Intensity Modulated Therapy uses linear accelerators to safely and painlessly deliver precise radiation doses to a tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissue. Intensity Modulated Therapy is much like 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation but uses different beams to locate and treat tumors presicely.
How Do Doctors Detect Your Cancer?
When you arrive at a hospital, there is many ways that your doctors can detect if you have cancer or are completely healthy. The first couple of things that help doctors find cancer and the source of it are lab tests, an ultrasound, and a CT scan. Others doctors give MRI's, X-Ray's, laparoscopy, cholangiography, or a biopsy. Any one of these thing will help you on your journey.