Cancer patients can consult experts about biological therapy
Cancer patients from all over the Czech Republic can consult experts from a newly established Department of Biological Therapy at the General University Hospital (VFN) in Prague whether the biological therapy is suitable for them.
The biological therapy is specifically targeted against tumour cells which have certain characteristics. Some patients have these cells, others don't - even if both groups of patients might have the same type of cancer. If a cancer patient does have these cells, then the biological therapy can be successfully applied to treat breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and kidney cancer.
"Our aim is to provide the right medicine to the right patient at the right time. The patient or his physician can ask for more information on our e-mail address biolecba@vfn.cz or call our non-stop phone number 724 151 028," said Petra Tesarova, M.D., who works at the VFN's Department of Oncology. She is one of the experts who will answer the questions. The biological therapy is only a part of the treatment plan, and is aimed to supplement and improve the results of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Eva Sedlackova, M.D., the senior consultant of the Department of Oncology, added: "When a patient calls us, our oncologist will ask him about the type of cancer, and where surgery and/or other treatment has been done. Depending on these facts, the patient will be referred to an appropriate expert. The patient will also learn what documentation he/she should request from his/her attending physician, and he/she can make an appointment with the recommended expert."
Lubos Petruzelka, M.D., the head physician of the Department of Oncology, said that there are 18 comprehensive cancer centres all over the territory of the Czech Republic. These centres have obtained enough financial resources from the health insurance companies in order to provide the best possible treatment to all patients. Each patient can be treated in a centre located close to its home, being provided the same treatment as elsewhere: the latest treatment procedures are available in all centres. However, the experts have estimated that not every patient who needs the biological therapy will actually get it. The project is expected to change this.
Prof Ctibor Povysil, the head physician of the Institute of Pathology, said that a laboratory examination of the tumour's molecular characteristics is an essential prerequisite for a correct application of the biological therapy. Such examinations are done at the Institute's Laboratory of Pathology.
The biological therapy is then administered by the physicians at the Department of Oncology. The appropriate drug is typically administered at a short-stay ward, i.e. the patients come to have their dose, without having to stay in the hospital for a long period. An appropriate timing must be followed in the administration of biological therapy, because the same medicinal product can have different benefits in patients with various stages of cancer: a complete cure, a prolongation of life or, at least, relief of symptoms in patients with incurable cancer.
16. 10. 2008 Czech News Agency (CTK)
