Functional techniques promise fast follow-up

September 30, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Functional techniques promise fast follow-up CT remains primary modality over MR, but choice depends on nature of cancer therapy being monitored -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cancer is being tackled from a host of new directions. Traditional methods of curing and controlling malignancy through surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are no longer the only story. The development of targeted drug therapies and innovative interventional procedures is expanding oncologists' armamentarium considerably. The era of individually tailored treatment plans may be just around the corner. This multidirectional approach is visible already in the liver. Although surgery remains the best chance of eradicating either primary or secondary disease, minimally invasive methods are helping prolong survival in patients unsuited for hepatectomy or transplant (see page 11). The limited success of chemotherapy at combating liver cancer has also stimulated research into new types of drugs, such as antiangiogenic and/or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents. Trials of such agents, either alone or in combination with another novel or conventional chemotherapy drug, are under way.

See full article and related articles at DiagnosticImaging.com
This article was republished with permission from CMPMedica, LLC