nueva esperanza en la lucha contra el cáncer según médicos

Author: Liu Xiao, Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Airport Hospital.

Title: New Hope in the Fight Against Cancer According to Doctors.

The cancer survival rate is improving thanks to medical technology, helping to manage this chronic illness.

I have worked in oncology consultation for over twenty years, and what I fear the most is not the complexity of patients' questions about their health status, but the despair reflected in their eyes when they receive their test results. Many people, upon hearing the word 'tumor,' immediately think 'it's over,' 'terminal illness,' 'the countdown to death.'

As a physician, I would like to share a thought: please dissociate the words 'tumor' and 'death.' With the rapid advancement of medical science, cancer is no longer the 'deadly disease' we feared, but is becoming a 'chronic disease' that can be prevented, controlled, and even cured.

I. Recognizing the Opponent: The Distinction Between Good and Evil and the 'Identity Document'.

First, we must clarify what a tumor is. Simply put, a tumor occurs when cells in the body are 'out of control,' no longer obeying commands and growing uncontrollably, forming something 'bad.' However, not all tumors are malignant.

Benign tumors: like a 'well-behaved child,' sometimes mischievous (pressing on surrounding tissues), most of the time they have a capsule, do not escape, and when removed, generally do not cause further problems.

Malignant tumors: this is what we commonly refer to as 'cancer.' It behaves like an 'invading thief,' growing rapidly and uncontrollably, and can spread to other parts of the body through blood and lymphatic vessels, 'settling' there, stealing nutrients and damaging organ function.

After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor will have a vital document in hand: the pathological report. This document is the 'exclusive identification' of the tumor. Through this report, we can see the 'true shape' of the tumor: what type is it? What is its grade of differentiation (level of malignancy)? Is there metastasis in the lymph nodes?

It is necessary to mention the TNM classification, which is the scale used to assess the severity of the disease.

T (tumor size): the larger the number, the larger the tumor.

N (lymph nodes): the greater the number, the more metastasis in the lymph nodes.

M (distant metastasis): M0 means that no distant spread has occurred, while M1 indicates that distant metastasis has already happened.

The earlier the stage (such as stage I), the greater the chance of cure; the more advanced the stage (such as stage IV), the treatment difficulty will certainly increase, but that does not mean there is no hope.

II. Overcoming Anxiety in Data: The Visible Lifespan.

Many patients prefer to search for data on survival rates online, which often causes them more fear. However, behind those cold numbers lies a warm hope.

According to data from the National Cancer Center, the five-year survival rate for all types of cancer in our country has increased to over 40%, and significant advances have been made in certain types of cancer. For example, the five-year survival rate for thyroid carcinoma exceeds 90%, breast cancer reaches over 80%, and even lung cancer, once known as 'the king of cancer,' is also seeing a steady rise in its survival rate.

Why are the data improving? Because our 'arsenal' has been upgraded.

III. Weapon Updates: From 'Carpet Bombing' to 'Precision Guidance'.

In the past, cancer treatment relied mainly on three methods: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, known as the 'three musketeers.' Surgery acts like the 'dismantler,' directly removing the tumor; chemotherapy is like an 'elite soldier' who, through the bloodstream, travels throughout the body to destroy cancer cells, though it can damage healthy cells, causing side effects like hair loss and nausea; radiotherapy, on the other hand, acts like a 'precision shooter,' using rays to locally eliminate affected cells.

Now, we have welcomed a more advanced 'elite squad:'

1. Targeted therapy: This is an intervention that attacks specific weaknesses in cancer cells (genetic mutations). For example, lung cancer drugs targeting the EGFR mutation are like a navigational missile that only destroys cancer cells without harming normal tissue.

2. Immunotherapy: This has been a Nobel Prize-worthy advance in recent years. Simply put, cancer cells are very cunning and disguise themselves to deceive the immune system. The function of immune drugs (like PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) is to strip cancer cells of their disguise and activate the patient's own immune cells to attack the tumor.

Disclaimer: Immunotherapy is not a miraculous drug, it is not effective for everyone, and it can cause immune-related adverse reactions (such as rashes, diarrhea, thyroid dysfunction, etc.). It should be used under the supervision of a specialist doctor.

3. Cutting-edge technology: like boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), known as 'the cellular knife.' By injecting drugs containing boron, cancer cells are allowed to absorb them, and then irradiated with neutrons, causing a reaction within the cells that eradicates the tumor, truly achieving 'killing the enemy without harming allies'.

IV. Balancing Treatment and Support: Don't Let 'Malnutrition' Weaken Your Body.

In clinical practice, I have found that many patients overly focus on 'how to kill cancer cells,' while ignoring 'how to take care of the body.' Supportive treatment (which includes nutrition, psychological care, and pain management) should be present throughout the entire treatment process.

Warning about myths: Never believe in home remedies that claim to 'starve tumors'!

Tumor cells can steal nutrients from the body. If you do not eat or drink, the first thing to weaken will be your immune system and healthy organs. I treated a patient who had survived stomach cancer surgery. Because he believed in alternative remedies and was afraid to eat, he suffered from severe malnutrition and could not withstand chemotherapy.

Scientific nutritional support is the foundation of treatment. At the same time, psychological support is also crucial. Anxiety and depression can suppress immune function; maintaining a positive and optimistic mindset is, in itself, a powerful force against cancer.

V. The Doctor's Words: Be the 'Guardian' of Your Own Health.

Although treatments are advancing, I still emphasize: the best therapy is prevention, the best doctor is yourself.

Cancer development does not usually happen overnight, but is the cumulative result of unhealthy lifestyle habits and long-term environmental factors.

Early detection and diagnosis: Many cancers show no symptoms in their early stages. For individuals over 40 years old, or those with a family history or part of high-risk groups due to prolonged tobacco and alcohol use, undergoing regular targeted health check-ups for cancer prevention (such as low-dose CT scans for lung cancer or endoscopies to detect tumors in the digestive system) is key to saving lives.

Lifestyle: Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, control weight, maintain a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.

Standardized diagnosis and treatment: Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is essential to go to an official hospital, trust in science, and not indiscriminately try home remedies to avoid missing the best treatment opportunity.

Conclusion

Fighting cancer is a long-term battle, but you are not alone in this fight. Doctors, family members, and scientific medications are your solid support. Believe that as you face the situation scientifically, hope and vitality will always be with you.