Will I lose my hair, and is there anything that can reduce the chances?

Hair loss depends on the chemotherapy drugs used. At Apollo Athenaa, scalp cooling technology is available for eligible regimens to help reduce hair thinning and hair fall.

Can I continue working, parenting, and managing responsibilities during treatment?

Many women are able to do so with appropriate adjustments. At Apollo Athenaa, chemotherapy is delivered through a same-day day-care model to minimise disruption to daily routines.

Will chemotherapy affect my periods or fertility?

Some treatments can cause temporary or long-term menstrual changes. Apollo Athenaa offers fertility-preservation counselling and gynaecology support when required.

How can I manage fatigue while caring for my family?

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. At Apollo Athenaa, nutritionists and oncology nurses provide personalised strategies to help conserve energy and maintain strength.

Which side effects require urgent medical attention?

High fever, severe vomiting, unusual bleeding, or breathlessness should be reported immediately. Apollo Athenaa provides direct access to oncology nurses and clear escalation pathways for prompt support.

Targeted Therapy,
Guided by Precision Expertise
at Apollo Athenaa

What is
Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a major breakthrough in modern oncology, offering cancer treatment that is not only more effective but also more personalized and often better tolerated than traditional chemotherapy. As a central pillar of precision oncology, targeted therapy focuses on the unique molecular features of a patient's tumor to guide treatment decisions.

Unlike conventional therapies that affect both healthy and cancerous cells, targeted treatments are designed to disrupt specific genetic mutations or signaling pathways that allow cancer cells to grow and survive. This precision enables the expert medical oncologists at Apollo Athenaa to deliver more focused care with improved outcomes and fewer systemic side effects.

How the
Treatment Works

At Apollo Athenaa, targeted therapy begins with advanced molecular testing to uncover the specific genetic or protein-level changes driving each woman’s cancer. These insights guide the selection of therapies that directly act on those abnormalities.

Targeted therapies act on molecular abnormalities such as:

Gene mutations (like EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRAS)
Protein overexpression (like HER2)
Abnormal signaling pathways (like PI3K/AKT/mTOR)

The two main forms of targeted therapy include:

Small molecule inhibitors: These enter cancer cells and block internal signals essential for tumor growth.
Monoclonal antibodies: These engineered proteins attach to specific targets on the surface of cancer cells to block growth signals, mark them for immune attack, or deliver toxins directly to the tumor.

Targeted therapies are often taken orally or administered via intravenous infusion. Their use depends on the presence of actionable biomarkers, which are identified through molecular and genetic testing of the tumor.

When Targeted Therapy
Is Recommended

Targeted therapy is used in a variety of clinical scenarios, including:

Driver Mutations

First-line treatment for cancers with known driver mutations (e.g., EGFR-mutated lung cancer, HER2-positive breast cancer, BRAF-mutated melanoma).

Post-Resistance

Used as second-line or subsequent therapy when standard treatments fail or resistance develops.

Combination Use

Given along with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other targeted agents to enhance treatment effectiveness.

Tumor-Agnostic

Used when a specific mutation (such as NTRK fusion or MSI-H) can be targeted regardless of where the cancer started.

Key
Advantages

Experience the benefits of advanced targeted care tailored to your needs. At Apollo Athenaa, our approach ensures accuracy, comfort, and better treatment outcomes at every step.

Precision and Personalization

Therapy is chosen based on tumor-specific genetic or protein alterations, ensuring treatment directly targets the cancer’s underlying biology.

Improved Response

Targeted therapies act on precise pathways, offering higher efficacy in select cancers while generally causing fewer, more manageable side effects than chemotherapy.

Higher Efficacy in Select Cancers

Targeted therapy can significantly prolong survival and disease control in cancers that carry known actionable mutations.

Tumor-Agnostic Potential

Certain drugs can treat cancers based on mutation rather than location, expanding treatment options for rare or difficult-to-treat cancers.

Side Effects Of
Targeted Therapy

At Apollo Athenaa, targeted therapies are selected with precision and closely monitored to ensure patient safety. While they are generally better tolerated than chemotherapy, they can cause specific side effects related to the pathways they inhibit.

Side effects include:

Skin rash and dryness
Diarrhoea
Fatigue
Elevated blood pressure
Changes in liver function or blood counts
Nail or hair texture changes

At Apollo Athenaa, all patients receiving targeted therapy are closely monitored through regular labs, symptom checklists, and scheduled reviews. Early management of side effects allows patients to continue therapy with minimal disruption.

Continuum of Care

At Apollo Athenaa, long-term management of targeted therapy is proactive and personalized. While many patients achieve durable responses, resistance mechanisms like secondary mutations or pathway bypass can emerge.

Periodic imaging to assess tumor response and detect early signs of progression

Routine blood tests to evaluate liver, kidney, and blood count changes associated with specific drug

Re-biopsy or liquid biopsy during progression to identify emerging mutations or new therapeutic targets

Transition to combination therapies or next-generation inhibitors based on evolving molecular insights

Frequently Asked Questions

Will targeted therapy affect my skin or hair, and can I manage these changes?

01

Some drugs may cause dryness, rash, or texture changes. At Apollo Athenaa, dermatologists work alongside your oncology team to create preventive and soothing skincare routines.

Can targeted therapy impact my menstrual cycle or hormones?

02

Certain targeted agents may cause mild hormonal changes. Apollo Athenaa monitors menstrual and hormonal patterns and coordinates care with gynecology specialists as needed.

Are oral targeted therapies safe if I have young children at home?

03

Yes, as long as they’re stored and handled safely. At Apollo Athenaa, nurses guide mothers on safe medication storage and handling practices.

What should I do if I miss a dose of my targeted therapy?

04

Do not double the next dose. Contact your care team. Apollo Athenaa’s pharmacists advise the correct next step based on the drug involved.

Are there foods, drinks, or supplements I should avoid?

05

Some targeted therapies interact with specific foods or supplements. At Apollo Athenaa, oncology pharmacists review your diet and supplement list to help avoid harmful interactions.

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Targeted Therapy, Guided by Precision Expertise at Apollo Athenaa

Targeted Therapy,
Guided by Precision Expertise
at Apollo Athenaa