Treatment with cancer tablets in Delhi India – Cancer Targeted therapy

Cancer tablets in Delhi India – Best cancer targeted therapy in Delhi NCR: Dr Vineet Govinda Gupta (DM Medical Oncology, AIIMS – Gold Medallist) is a board certified medical oncologist trained at the best institute in the country with expertise in all kinds of anticancer targeted therapy to ensure safe and effective therapy of cancer. He has won many international awards and published reputed research in international peer-reviewed journals. More details here.

What is meant by targeted therapy and how does it work?

Targeted therapy is a new way of treating cancer developed over the last 2 decades.

Traditionally, cancer has been treated with chemotherapy (developed in the 1940s). Chemotherapy works by damaging all rapidly dividing cells in the body. Since cancer cells divide rapidly, they are damaged and killed while normal cells are spared. Unfortunately, many normal cells of the body also divide rapidly (such as blood cells, hair cells and intestine cells). Therefore, chemotherapy often leads to more serious side-effects.

Targeted therapy is anticancer therapy directed at a specific, genetic abnormality which is present in a specific cancer. If chemotherapy is like a bomb, targeted therapy is like a highly accurate sniper rifle. Since the abnormality targeted by these drugs is very specific to cancer cells, side effects are significantly milder with targeted therapies.

Which cancers can be treated with targeted therapy?

At present, most cancers can be treated with targeted therapy, including blood cancers (CML, Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma), multiple myeloma, lung, breast, stomach and esophagus, gall bladder, prostate, cervix, sarcoma, brain, mouth/tongue/larynx/head and neck, intestine/colon, liver, kidney, ovary, uterus, neuroendocrine tumors, neuroblastoma, thymus etc

Some commonly used targeted therapies include imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, rituximab, trastuzumab, pertuzumab, bevacizumab, geftinib, erlotinib, osimertinib, alectinib, crizotinib, ceritinib, regorafenib, axitinib, sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib, cetuximab, panitumumab, everolimus, lenvatinib, cabozantinib, olaparib, PSMA therapy, Lu DOTATATE therapy etc

What are cancer tablets? How is targeted therapy taken?

These are dozens of different targeted therapies, and all are taken in different ways. Some commonly used targeted therapies are taken as oral tablets or capsules. Thus these are medicines to treat cancer taken as tablets. If you are offered targeted therapy as tablets, it is very important to take it in a specific way with respect to food (empty stomach or with food) as advised by your doctor.

Other targeted therapies are given as injections. These injections can be given into the bloodstream or sometimes injected under the skin (subcutaneous).

Is chemotherapy better than targeted therapy?

Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are two different ways to treat cancer. One is not “better” or “worse” than the other. In many cancers, chemotherapy and targeted therapy are used together. In other cancers targeted therapy may be without chemotherapy. In some cancers, targeted therapy is not usable. Sometimes, either targeted therapy or chemotherapy can be used, and the choice of therapy depends on the patient’s choice and preference.

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What is angiogenesis? What is anti-angiogenic therapy?

In order to grow beyond a small size (1-2 mm), cancer cells need a blood supply. The process by which cancer cells create their blood supply is called angiogenesis. This process can be targeted using various agents to starve tumors of blood supply, therefore causing their death. These are called anti-angiogenic drugs. Typical examples include bevacizumab (also known as avastin), pazopanib (also known as votrient), sunitinib (also known as sutent), sorafenib, axitinib, regorafenib etc

Not all cancers can be treated with antiangiogenic therapy. Whether your cancer is suitable should be decided in discussion with your medical oncologist.

What are some common side-effects with targeted therapy?

Side-effects of targeted therapy are different from chemotherapy. For example, hair loss and low blood counts are uncommon with targeted therapy. On the other hand, side effects like tiredness, skin rash, diarrhea, liver function abnormalities, changes in hands and feet, hypertension etc are seen with targeted therapies. Different targeted therapies have different side effects. Your oncologist can help guide you regarding expected toxicities with your treatment.

Is targeted therapy always safer than chemotherapy?

The answer is no. Although targeted therapy is often safer than chemotherapy, serious side effects can uncommonly occur with targeted therapy also. The choice of which therapy to use depends in several factors and should always be discussed between the doctor and the patient.

I do not want to receive targeted therapy! Do I have any other options?

As discussed above, targeted therapy is usually safe, convenient and easy to take. However, many options are available in the modern era for treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy or immunotherapy. If you do not wish to take targeted therapy, you can discuss these options with your oncologist. However, no therapy is completely free of side-effects, and these therapies are not available for every cancer.

To discuss treatment alternatives, send us a free e-consultation

What are cancer clinical trials for targeted therapies?

Cancer clinical trials are research efforts that allow patients to access new targeted therapies and immunotherapies which the patient can otherwise not access. These are generally offered at no cost to the patient. Learn more here

What available options are there for cancer tablets/targeted therapy in Delhi?

Delhi is one of the best cities in India for treatment of cancer. Dr Vineet Govinda Gupta (DM Medical Oncology – Gold Medallist AIIMS) has served over 12 years at the best institute in the country (AIIMS New Delhi) with expertise in all kinds of modern anticancer targeted therapy to ensure scientific, safe, effective and affordable treatment of cancer at every stage. More details here.

I wish to know more about cancer and its treatment!

The purpose of this website is educational. You can find more information about various cancers and their treatment in various sections of this website. Access them using the menu above or the search box.

• Information about chemotherapy
• Information about immunotherapy
• Information about lung cancer
• Information about kidney cancer
• Information about neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
• Information about blood cancer (CML, lymphoma, multiple myeloma)
• Information about head and neck cancer

Free E-consultation about targeted therapy in Delhi

If you have additional questions not answered by the above section, use the form below to send me your queries and we will get back to you shortly. You can also Email us at vineetgovindagupta@gmail.com or whatsapp on +919013812875

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