Cancer treatment 101: A primer for non-oncologists

Cancer treatment 101: A primer for non-oncologists 
Medscape; by George D. Lundberg, MD; 8/22/24 
Each year in the United States, approximately 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with a potentially lethal malignancy. Typical therapies of choice include surgery, radiation, and occasionally, toxic chemotherapy (chemo) — approaches that eliminate the cancer in about 1,000,000 of these cases. The remaining 700,000 or so often proceed to chemotherapy either immediately or upon cancer recurrence, spread, or newly recognized metastases. ... I'm speaking in generalities, understanding that each cancer and each patient is unique. [Dr. Lundberg summarizes in user-friendly language:]

• Chemotherapy: First-line treatment ... Second-line treatment ... Third-line treatment ...
• Interventions to Consider Earlier: Molecular testing ... Palliative care ... Clinical trials ... Innovative testing ...

Editor's Note: This primer provides basic information for non-oncology, non-medical professionals who work for your palliative care services. In this age of Medicare fraud and abuse, your business decisions must be grounded in knowledge, integrity, and expert clinical care for the patients you serve.