Combining talents for the management of cancer patients.
The combination of talents required to bring to all patients the maximum benefits of combined modality treatment is examined in the following steps: devising treatment strategy, carrying out treatment, extension widely to the community, and treatment research. The devising of strategy should rest upon the theoretical principles of cell kinetics and pharmacokinetics, which in most instances combine local removal in the primary tumor and anticipatory chemotherapy of occult metastases. The delivery of treatment involves implementation of these principles for each individual patient, and its success depends upon continual consultation among the various members of the treatment team. Wide extension of best treatment to all patients with cancer in the community will involve the good will and effective liaison of many individuals in federal, state, and local government, and many professional and lay people. Many problems of treatment are still unsolved, so research must provide new knowledge. While future advances will come in unexpected ways, the three most needed are a quantitative marder for cancer cells, better drug combinations for carcinomas, and an effective was to diagnose and repair immune deficits.
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D012106:Research