Beyond chemotherapy and radiation, cancer care now includes a wider range of options. Some methods remove tumors with greater precision, and others train the immune system to fight disease. Here are four newer approaches, from skin cancer surgery to cell-based therapy:
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery treats many skin cancers, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. A surgeon removes one layer of tissue at a time, and a technician examines each layer under a microscope. If cancer cells remain at the edges, the surgeon removes another layer from that exact spot.
Since the surgeon checks each layer during the visit, the process spares more healthy skin. This cancer care approach suits areas like the face, ears, scalp, and hands. Most procedures take a few hours, but complex cases may last most of the day.
Mohs surgery typically uses local anesthesia, so you stay awake during the procedure. While the lab processes each layer, you wait in a separate room. Bring a book or a snack for the waiting periods. Ask your dermatologist about wound care and follow-up visits before the day of surgery.
Concierge Oncology
Concierge oncology is a membership-based model of cancer care. Patients pay regularly to receive more direct access to their oncologist. Some oncologists run concierge practices alongside traditional ones. Practice structures differ, and each one sets its own services and pricing. Typical features include:
- Longer appointments with your oncologist
- Same-day or next-day scheduling
- Direct phone or text access to the care team
- Guided help coordinating tests, specialists, and records
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines fall into two main groups, and each group works in a different way. Preventive vaccines aim to lower the risk of certain cancers in healthy people. Treatment vaccines teach the immune system to attack cancer cells after a person has a diagnosis. Examples in current use include:
- The HPV vaccine to lower the risk of cervical and throat cancer
- The hepatitis B vaccine to lower the risk of liver cancer
- Personalized mRNA vaccines
Your primary care doctor tracks recommended vaccines for your age group. Treatment vaccines aren’t available everywhere, and many remain available only through clinical trials. If you have a cancer diagnosis, ask your oncologist about trial eligibility.
CAR T-cell Therapy
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that uses your own white blood cells. Doctors collect T cells from your blood, and a lab adds a new receptor to them. The modified cells then return to your body through an IV infusion. The process from collection to infusion often takes several weeks.
Current approvals cover certain blood cancers, such as some lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma. Since serious side effects may develop, patients typically stay near the treatment center for about four weeks. Not every hospital offers CAR T-cell therapy, so you may need a referral to a specialized center.
Schedule Cancer Care Near You
Each innovation serves a specific purpose, and not every option fits every diagnosis. When you meet with a provider, bring a list of questions and your medical records. Ask about eligibility, costs, insurance coverage, and recovery time. If you notice a new or changing skin spot, schedule an exam with a dermatologist. Search for oncology practices and cancer centers in your area.
