Oncology faces many challenges, including late diagnosis of malignant diseases, a lack of specialists in this field, outdated equipment of some clinics, and a lack of modern medications. Fortunately, medicine in its current state keeps fighting for the lives of people with cancer through innovative technical devices, genetically engineered products, and drugs developed for cancer treatment in recent years.

How is cancer currently treated?

Traditionally, there are three main cancer treatment options. First, there is the surgical removal of tumors. Here, the only recent innovation is the use of robotic surgical techniques; the most popular machines are the da Vinci robots. They allow surgery to be performed through micro incisions, causing minimal surgical trauma.

The second type of treatment is radiotherapy, which implies irradiation of cancerous tumors. Remote radiation therapy, where healthy tissues are located between the radiation source and the tumor, is now widespread worldwide. If the tumor is located deep, like for example, in brain cancer, irradiation allows for less traumatic procedures to be held, including radiosurgery, which destroys tumor tissue with a targeted beam of radiation that acts with millimeter precision.

Finally, there is a systemic treatment, in which the tumor is treated with various medications. Here, the traditional methods include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and relatively new approaches such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Innovative treatments for cancer

Speaking of new approaches, we need to start with the fact that the very understanding of malignancy has changed in recent years. Doctors used to think that malignancy was a local process that affects a specific body area, and it had to be treated locally. Now there is an understanding that it is a systemic disease, and it must also be treated systemically.

Among other things, metastasizing remains a primary concern of specialists. It is a complex process where cancer cells separate from a tumor, enter the bloodstream, enter other organs, and multiply there. These processes are regulated by a vast number of genes and proteins. And by combining surgery, targeted drugs, immunotherapy, and other methods, it is possible to treat severe types of cancer successfully.

Cancer abroad is treated with the most common modern techniques such as:

• Radiosurgery and endoscopic surgery
• Brachytherapy and proton therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radionuclide therapy
• Hormonal therapy

Traditional treatment approaches have benefited significantly from the above, and the chances of coping with cancer abroad have increased manifold.

Why do people go abroad for treatment?

Nowadays, more and more people seek treatment abroad. One can simplify the reasons to "‎oncology in developed countries is very much ahead." If we were to investigate the question, we’d mention:

• Optimistic statistics reflecting a lower incidence of cancer and a higher survival rates after diagnosis making and initiation of treatment
• Special attention to early detection of oncological diseases
• Accuracy of diagnostic measures
• Focus on minimizing harm to the patient's organism
• Highly qualified and specialized oncologists
• Optional adjustment of the treatment scheme following changes in patient’s well-being
• Wide range of modern treatment techniques
• Comfortable inpatient environment
• Comprehensive support for the patient

How can one undergo cancer treatment during a lockdown?

There’s now no doubt that the whole situation with the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the focus of health care systems around the world a bit further from oncology. An important aspect here is providing quality medical services in both areas, which can be challenging in some countries. Therefore, treatment in Europe, in particular, ensures that patients get decent medical help. Anyways, if you decide to move forward with the idea of treatment abroad during a lockdown, you might want to get assistance on the matter.

Booking Health provides services of treatment organization to anyone who needs it. The company successfully resolves issues with visas, paperwork, negotiations and takes care of all possible organizational matters. Booking Health understands that no time should be wasted when it comes to oncology, so the company will organize the cancer treatment in the shortest time possible.

Fill in the request form on the Booking Health website to receive more information about cancer treatment abroad.