On account of the complexity of each individual tumour, it is a challenge to find the optimum therapy. More and more innovations have become available in clinical practice to increase treatment efficacy. Examples are proton therapy and immune therapy, but also traditional therapies have been subject to improvement. For instance, we are able to adjust the radiation dose more and more precisely to the individual. It is also possible to predict with increasing accuracy who will benefit - and to what extent - from radiation therapy. The large variety of treatment options will sometimes make it hard for patients to see the wood for the trees:They just want to know what is best for them. Shared decision making is an increasingly important concept in healthcare. This is especially true for the treatment of cancer, because there is often a multitude of treatment strategies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Together, the treatment team and the patient discuss which treatment will bring most value to the patient at that moment. Some patients will want to pull out all stops to fight the tumour and accept possible side effects. Other patients will attach great value to a good quality of life and will not opt for the most severe therapy. Predictive modelling and digital decision aids make it easier to decide which treatment is most suitable. A reliable prediction of the risks and efficacy provides the patient and the doctor with useful information to make a well-considered choice that is most appropriate in view of the patient’s personal situation and preferences. Combining this with our focus on maintaining function (i.e. on the one hand limiting side effects and on the other increasing the chance of recovery), we aim to offer the patients the best possible quality of life. More information: www.maastro.nl On the job Prof. dr. Liesbeth Boersma radiotherapist
Circles_of_innovations_ENG
To see the actual publication please follow the link above