Doctors have reported at the world’s largest cancer conference that reducing the intensity of treatment for three types of cancer—ovarian, esophageal, and Hodgkin lymphoma—can improve patients’ quality of life without compromising their outcomes.
This aligns with a growing trend in cancer research, which is increasingly investigating whether reducing the extent of interventions—such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation—can enhance patient longevity and well-being. Historically, cancer treatment strategies focused on more aggressive approaches. For instance, thirty years ago, women with advanced breast cancer were subjected to extreme chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, only to find that these measures were no more effective than standard chemotherapy and resulted in significant suffering.
As reported by NBC NEWS, in the ongoing effort to optimize cancer care, researchers are now questioning the necessity of previously standard treatments. As Dr. Tatjana Kolevska, medical director for the Kaiser Permanente National Cancer Excellence Program, who was not part of the recent studies, emphasized, this critical question should be repeatedly examined to improve patient outcomes and experiences.