More Patients Receiving Cancer Treatment Before Surgery, Report Finds

A growing number of cancer patients are receiving medication-based treatments – including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy – before surgery, according to the second annual report from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This shift in approach is leading to less invasive surgeries and more informed treatment decisions.

The NCDB report highlights a significant increase in neoadjuvant therapy – treatment administered before the primary surgery. Doctors are increasingly using these therapies to shrink tumors, making surgical removal easier and potentially more effective. It also allows clinicians to observe how a patient’s cancer responds to specific medications, guiding them toward the most beneficial post-surgery treatment plan.

“This is a really important trend,” explains Dr. Samuel A. Goldfarb,ACS Cancer Surgery Network Director. “Being able to assess a tumor’s response to medication before surgery is a game-changer.”

The benefits extend beyond surgical ease. by understanding a cancer’s sensitivity to drugs, doctors can personalize treatment plans. For example, if a tumor shrinks dramatically with chemotherapy, the patient may be able to avoid more aggressive surgery. Conversely, if a tumor doesn’t respond, surgeons can plan for a more extensive resection or explore alternative therapies.

The NCDB is a joint venture of the ACS and the American Cancer Society. It’s a complete database that tracks cancer cases across the United States, providing valuable insights into cancer care patterns and outcomes.Learn more about the NCDB here.

This trend towards preoperative treatment reflects ongoing advancements in cancer research and a commitment to personalized medicine. The ACS report underscores the importance of continued data collection and analysis to further refine cancer treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.