In an interview with Salon24, Dr. Dorota Kiprian, chief specialist in radiotherapy at Poland’s National Institute of Oncology, says medicine has entered the era of personalized treatment, which means that therapy is individually tailored to each patient.
Thanks to molecular biology analysis, doctors can use precise targeted therapies that are more effective and less burdensome for the body. Unlike a few decades ago, cancer is no longer a death sentence.
“Being an oncologist is no longer as depressing as it once was. We can prolong the lives of patients even with active cancer, and treat some effectively,” the expert says.
Immunotherapy has proven to be a major breakthrough. Not long ago, lung cancer or melanoma in advanced stages meant death within a few months. Today, patients with these tumors live for years, and they are often completely cured.
Another change in the approach to cancer therapy is the concept of oligoprogression. As Dr. Kiprian explains, until recently, a patient with metastases was treated as a palliative case – the goal of treatment was only to alleviate symptoms.
Today, it is known that if the metastases are single, stereotactic radiotherapy can be used, which precisely destroys cancer cells. In combination with modern drugs, this means that the patient can function normally for many years.
“We are no longer talking about palliative treatment, but about active therapy that allows patients to lead normal lives,” the oncologist emphasizes.
According to the expert, modern treatment is one thing, but prevention is the most important. The number of cancer cases is still growing due to environmental pollution, plastic in food, and a sedentary lifestyle.
“We don’t have to get cancer. We just need to start taking better care of ourselves – regular exercise and a healthy diet are the foundation,” explains Dr. Kiprian.
She also draws attention to the role of primary care physicians. They should be the first line of defense in detecting cancer, but they often ignore the symptoms. Meanwhile, early detection of cancer gives a great chance of recovery.
Modern oncology increasingly uses technologies based on artificial intelligence as well. In diagnostics, AI helps detect neoplastic changes at an early stage, and in treatment, it adapts therapy to the patient’s condition every day.
The National Institute of Oncology is already using adaptive radiotherapy, which allows for ongoing treatment replanning. As a result, less healthy tissue is damaged, and the therapy is more effective and less burdensome.
“Every day, we adjust the treatment plan to the patient’s current condition. It’s a real revolution,” explains Dr. Kiprian.
What’s more, hospitals are increasingly using surgical robots, which increase the precision of operations and allow for less invasive procedures. She noted that Poland is one of the first countries in the world to use online adaptive radiotherapy supported by artificial intelligence.
Moreover, she noted that one of the world’s first conferences on online adaptive radiotherapy will be held in Poland, which shows that the country is becoming a pioneer in this field.
Dr. Kiprian also discussed the role of communication in cancer treatment. On the one hand, patients must be aware of their treatment, on the other, doctors must be able to talk to patients about difficult diagnoses.
“I never use the word cancer, I prefer to say tumor, neoplasm. It sounds different, less terrifying,” the expert emphasizes.
At the National Institute of Oncology, employees undergo psychological training that helps them cope with patients’ emotions. This makes the patient feel like a subject of treatment, not just a medical case.
Advances in medicine mean that cancer is becoming a chronic disease rather than a fatal one. Personalized therapies, artificial intelligence, and new approaches to treating metastases are key.
“There is no treatment without hope,” sums up Dr. Kiprian.
Modern oncology changes the lives of patients and gives them a real chance for a long, good life – even with cancer.
