Increasingly, the leading edge of modern cancer care is about targeted and individualized therapies — treatments that are designed around the unique characteristics of each cancer patient and their cancer. Put simply, different people respond differently to certain treatments, and the same goes for their cancer.
At South Texas Oncology and Hematology for Cancer Care, we provide access to comprehensive genetic testing of tumors, which is the key to providing state-of-the-art, individualized treatment. Through this genetic testing, our board certified and highly trained cancer specialists can look for specific genetic markers that are associated with existing data about the appropriateness and effectiveness of various treatments.
Through research and genetic profiling of tumor tissue from prior patients, we are able to see that one anti-cancer drug is likely to work better (or worse) for you than another. For instance, a particular genetic marker is associated with better results with anti-cancer Drug A, while anti-cancer Drug B has shown much lower effectiveness.
In this way, we can avoid treatments that are likely to have a lower chance of benefiting you. Knowing that cancer treatment itself is challenging and burdensome, looking for and finding these genetic markers can spare you many weeks of treatment and side effects with a therapy that isn’t going to work. Genetic testing helps us go straight to treatments that have a higher probability of working for you or your loved one.
At START, we provide comprehensive genetic testing of patients’ tumors. Genetic tumor testing is an invaluable resource in cancer care because of its ability to direct cancer doctors in the informed, science-based selection of targeted therapies, whether for conventional therapies or investigational drugs via clinical trials.
For more information about genetic testing and how it can improve the efficacy of your individual cancer treatment — or to schedule an appointment — call South Texas Oncology and Hematology at 210-593-5700. Also, feel free to request an appointment using our easy online for