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Evolving Cancer Classification in the Era of Personalized Medicine: A Primer for Radiologists

Ailbhe C O'Neill1, Jyothi P Jagannathan1, Nikhil H Ramaiya1

  • 1Department of Imaging, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Korean Journal of Radiology
|January 19, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cancer treatment is shifting from location-based to molecularly targeted therapies, impacting tumor classification and radiologist understanding. This paradigm shift requires awareness of new classifications and toxicities, particularly in lung cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Radiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Traditional cancer classification relied on anatomical location.
  • Emerging molecular targeted therapies are revolutionizing cancer treatment.
  • This necessitates a paradigm shift in understanding and managing tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the paradigm shift in cancer classification and treatment.
  • To emphasize the importance of molecular targeted therapies.
  • To focus on lung cancer as a prototype for new molecular classifications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on molecularly targeted cancer therapies.
  • Analysis of the impact of targeted therapies on tumor classification.
  • Focus on radiologic manifestations and toxicities associated with novel treatments.

Main Results:

  • Molecular genetic mutations are driving a new era of cancer classification.
  • Targeted therapies induce morphological changes in tumors, not always size-related.
  • New treatment strategies present unique class- and drug-specific toxicities.

Conclusions:

  • Radiologists must adapt to new molecular cancer classifications.
  • Familiarity with targeted therapies and their toxicities is crucial for multidisciplinary care.
  • Lung cancer serves as a key example of this evolving field.
Keywords:
ALK rearrangementAdenocarcinomaEGFR mutationLung cancerNSCLC

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