Posted in: Cancer by Dr. Tarang Krishna Posted Date: 12 Feb, 2020
Though anal cancer is a rare malignancy, there is a rise in the number of anal cancer cases. In the past, the treatment for anal cancer majorly involved surgery, and oftentimes the only reliable option for patients. However, with advancements in technology, chemotherapy and radiation therapy has eliminated the need for surgery but is associated with many side effects.
In some other cases, local resection is used to treat small cancers of the anal margin that have not spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. An entire procedure which removes the anus and rectum is however used only in stubborn cases.
The main treatment for anal cancer typically includes external beam radiation, which uses a focused beam of radiation from a machine outside the body, and a combination of two chemotherapy drugs. Furthermore, the survival rates for anal cancer also depends on stage and type, with rates being better for squamous cell versus non-squamous cell disease.
The chemotherapy and radiation therapy response for newly diagnosed anal cancer is high. However, there are limited effective anal cancer treatment options after cancer has recurred. The application of radiation and chemotherapy comes with side effects such as uncontrolled diarrhoea, pain, hair loss, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of uneasiness. Such treatments usually work only for a while.
The lack of effective treatments for anal cancer has led to the emergence of the modern alternative for cancer - Immunotherapy. The rate of progress in the field of cancer immunotherapy has accelerated in the past couple of years.
It has shown durable results and responses in various patients with different cancers where no other treatment was effective. It is a class of therapy which is not inherently cancer type-specific, and researchers are beginning to understand why some cancers like anal cancer are better treated with cancer immunotherapy treatment.
Immunotherapy may work in the following ways:
- Stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
- Stopping cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
- Helping the immune system work better at destroying cancer cells.
The leading cancer hospitals offering immunology cancer treatment have stated that immune cells in the tumour microenvironment have an important role in regulating the tumour progression. Hence, stimulating immune reactions to tumours is an attractive therapeutic and prevention strategy.
Dr. Tarang Krishna from Cancer Healer Center, a renowned immunotherapy hospital in India says that the goals of treating patients with cancer are to cure the disease, prolong survival, and improve the quality of life.
The fundamental basis of immunotherapy cancer treatment is to activate a patient’s own T-cells so they can kill the tumours. Cancer patients have shown brilliant results where they remain cancer-free for many years after receiving the therapy.
Anal cancer treatment and Immunotherapy
The anal cancer treatment depends on the stage of cancer. It is grouped in stages I to IV from least advanced to most advanced. The stage depends on how large the tumor, or whether it has spread to nearby organs, lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.
Keeping this in mind, the treatment which your doctors recommend is based in part on the stage of your cancer. However, immunotherapy has prove to be a great anal cancer treatment option. It is evolving and emerging as a great component for anal cancer treatment and has led to various survival benefits.
Questions to Ask your oncologist about immunotherapy for Anal cancer treatment:-
It is recommended to talk with your health care team about whether immunotherapy may be part of your treatment plan. If so, consider asking these questions:
- Which is the most suitable immunotherapy for the current condition and why?
- What are the goals of this treatment?
- Will immunotherapy be my only treatment? If not, what other treatments will be a part of my anal cancer treatment plan?
- How will I receive immunotherapy treatment and how often?
- What are the possible short-term and long-term side effects of immunotherapy?
- How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
- Whom should I call with questions or problems?
Looking for more information on immunotherapy for anal cancer treatment? Get in touch with us now!
About The Author
Dr. Tarang Krishna
Dr. Tarang Krishna, Director at Cancer Healer Center, is the perfect epitome of perseverance and dedication.
He has an impressive educational background to his credit. He completed his under-graduation in Medicine and Surgery from Pune, India and did his MD (Hom) from Agra University, India.Thesis on MD was on "Treatment of cancer" where he presented cases of almost 100 patients and the response of the medicines in the treatment of cancer. He then completed his Ph.d in Oncology from the United Kingdom and his thesis on the ‘Efficacy of Medicines in the Treatment of Cancer’ is greatly commemorated and honored.
He befittingly represents alternate medicine and has contributed significantly towards the development and research of immunotherapy.
Through his nationwide chain of “Cancer Healer Center” clinics he strives to offer superior cancer treatment, using immunotherapy.
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