Advancements and limitations in traditional anti-cancer therapies: a comprehensive review of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, consistently ranking as the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Despite significant advancements in research and technology, the need to deepen our understanding of tumor biology and improve therapeutic strategies persists. This review focuses on the progress and challenges of four traditional cancer treatment modalities: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy. Surgery, the primary method for tumor removal, has evolved with the integration of fluorescence-based technology and robotic systems, enhancing precision and minimizing collateral damage. Radiation therapy has progressed with improved focus, intensity control, and 3D technology, refining both diagnosis and treatment. Chemotherapy has advanced from natural extracts to synthesized derivatives with amplified cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Hormonal therapy has emerged as a crucial strategy for hormone-dependent cancers, restraining growth or inducing regression. Despite these advancements, each approach faces ongoing challenges. Surgery struggles with complete tumor removal due to heterogeneity. Chemotherapy contends with drug resistance and side effects. Radiation therapy grapples with precision issues and limited access in some regions. Hormonal therapy faces resistance development and quality of life impacts. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of these traditional anti-cancer therapies, offering insights into their progress and highlighting areas for future research. By examining these modalities, we aim to underscore their relevance in the current oncology landscape and identify opportunities for improvement in cancer treatment strategies. Significant progress has been made in traditional cancer treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy, enhancing their effectiveness and precision. Modern techniques such as fluorescence-guided surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and robot-assisted surgery have improved tumor removal precision but may still contribute to minimal residual disease (MRD) and potential recurrence. Techniques like SBRT and IMRT have advanced radiation therapy by increasing targeting precision, though challenges such as resistance and immune suppression remain. Chemotherapeutic agents, including alkylating compounds, antimetabolites, and topoisomerase inhibitors, are essential for treatment but face issues like toxicity, resistance, and limited efficacy. Hormonal therapies, such as tamoxifen and ADT, are crucial for hormone-dependent cancers, but resistance mechanisms necessitate new approaches. Future research should focus on understanding molecular mechanisms to increase specificity, radiosensitivity and reduce cytotoxicity to drive innovations in cancer therapy. Significant progress has been made in traditional cancer treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy, enhancing their effectiveness and precision. Modern techniques such as fluorescence-guided surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and robot-assisted surgery have improved tumor removal precision but may still contribute to minimal residual disease (MRD) and potential recurrence. Techniques like SBRT and IMRT have advanced radiation therapy by increasing targeting precision, though challenges such as resistance and immune suppression remain. Chemotherapeutic agents, including alkylating compounds, antimetabolites, and topoisomerase inhibitors, are essential for treatment but face issues like toxicity, resistance, and limited efficacy. Hormonal therapies, such as tamoxifen and ADT, are crucial for hormone-dependent cancers, but resistance mechanisms necessitate new approaches. Future research should focus on understanding molecular mechanisms to increase specificity, radiosensitivity and reduce cytotoxicity to drive innovations in cancer therapy.