Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40272602›Full record

ReviewDiscover oncology2025

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

Aasma Zafar, Summaiya Khatoon, Muhammad Jawad Khan, Junaid Abu, Aisha Naeem

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Discover oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 219 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
219citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

219 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  8. Acoustically Activatable Drug-Loaded Nanodroplets for Mechanochemical Therapy in Solid Tumors.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026
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159 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Aasma Zafar *Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan.
Summaiya Khatoon *College of Health Sciences, QU Health Sector, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
Muhammad Jawad KhanDepartment of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan.
Junaid AbuAisha bint Hamad al-Attiyah hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
Aisha NaeemResearch and Graduate Studies, QU Health Sector, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. a.naeem@qu.edu.qa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

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.

Indexed as

Anticancer therapiesAntimetabolitesCancerHormonal therapySurgery

Identifiers

PMID40272602
PMCPMC12021777

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.