Targeted therapy: precision medicine against your type of tumor

How it works

Because of that precision, it usually harms healthy cells less than traditional chemotherapy, although it has side effects of its own. Many targeted therapies are pills taken at home; others are given intravenously.

To find out whether a tumor has a treatable "target," special tests on the biopsy tissue are almost always needed (biomarker or molecular tests). This step is key: not all tumors have known targets, and not everyone with the same type of cancer is a candidate for the same medicine.

Sources: NCI, "Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer": https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/tratamiento/tipos/terapia-dirigida · MedlinePlus, "Targeted therapies for cancer": https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000902.htm

Which types of cancer it is usually used for

• Common examples: HER2-positive breast cancer, lung cancer with specific mutations (EGFR, ALK), cancers of the colon and kidney, some ovarian cancers (for example, with BRCA alterations), and leukemias and lymphomas with specific alterations.
• It can be used alone or combined with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy.
• At the unit, the oncologist orders the tumor tests that are needed and, with the results, determines whether there is a targeted therapy suited to the case.

What receiving this treatment at the unit is like

• By mouth (most common): daily pills at home, with regular check-up visits and lab tests.
• Intravenous (some medicines): outpatient sessions, usually 30 to 90 minutes, every 1 to 3 weeks.
• Total length: it is usually a long-term treatment, lasting months or even years, for as long as it keeps working and is well tolerated.
• The key to success with pills: take them exactly as prescribed and never stop them on your own; discuss any discomfort with your oncologist first.

Common side effects and how we help you through them

• They vary by medicine. Common ones: diarrhea, skin problems (dryness, acne-like rash, nail changes), high blood pressure, tiredness, changes in liver tests, mouth sores.
• Most are controlled with dose adjustments, skin care, and supportive medicines. That is why regular follow-up with lab tests is part of the treatment.
• The unit's team provides written instructions for care at home and the warning signs that call for an immediate call.
• Source: NCI, "Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer": https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/tratamiento/tipos/terapia-dirigida

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my cancer has a treatable "target"? Through special tests done on the biopsy tissue or, in some cases, on blood. The unit takes the biopsies and coordinates these tests. Come in for an evaluation so the oncologist can determine which ones you need.

Does targeted therapy replace chemotherapy? Not always. In some cases it replaces it, in others they are combined, and in others chemotherapy is still the best option. It depends on the tumor type and its characteristics.

If it is a pill, is it less serious than chemotherapy? No. Being taken by mouth does not mean it is less powerful or needs less monitoring. It must be taken with the same discipline and medical follow-up as any cancer treatment.

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