I have described the story from BC to the Middle Ages in a previous blog post.
I was surprised when I looked it up! Cancer has been around since BC, and in Japan there have been records of such since the Jomon period.
This article is a continuation of the previous one.
Click here to read the previous article.
On Cancer in the Middle Ages
In medieval Europe, cancer was known as “cancer” and was considered a dreaded disease.
Treatment methods were limited, and many people suffered and died. However, research and surgery were conducted in spite of such a time.
Here are some of the typical treatment methods used in the Middle Ages.
Surgery
Surgery, such as excision and cauterization, was one of the most common treatments during the Middle Ages. However, because anesthesia and hemostasis techniques were not yet developed, the treatment was extremely painful for the patient. Surgery without anesthesia is unthinkable.
Herbal Therapy
Folk remedies using various herbs and plants were widely practiced. Although their effectiveness was not scientifically proven, they seem to have played a role in alleviating symptoms and providing emotional support to patients.
Phlebotomy
This treatment was thought to cure diseases by draining bad blood from the patient’s body. Although it had no scientific basis, it played an important role in the medical system of the time, but it is unthinkable today.
Prayer and witchcraft
These are treatments that were thought to be able to cure diseases through religious rituals and witchcraft. There was no scientific basis for this either, but it seems to have played a role in providing emotional support and hope to patients.
Other treatments
Precious metals such as gold and silver
Taking precious metals such as gold or silver or applying them to the affected area was thought to cure diseases. There was no scientific basis for this, but it is one of the most interesting methods, although it seems to have been popular among the wealthy
Animal organs and body fluids
This treatment was thought to be able to cure diseases by taking animal organs or body fluids or applying them to the affected area. There was no scientific basis for this method, but it was widely practiced as a folk remedy.
Problems in Cancer Treatment in the Middle Ages
When we look at the methods of treatment in the medieval period, we find that they are almost all difficult to cure.
There was no scientific basis, and it may be a correct expression to say that doctors at that time were trying various original methods.
Such groping should not have been a total waste of time, as it can be said that we are gradually approaching the treatment methods of the present era.
Lack of scientific evidence: Most treatments were not based on scientific evidence.
Limited effectiveness: Many treatments were limited in their effectiveness and did not cure the root cause of the disease.
Side effects: Treatments such as surgery and phlebotomy were extremely painful for patients.
Medical disparity: Large disparities in treatment between the rich and poor.
Modern Cancer Treatment: 100 Years of Hope
In the 20th century, with the development of modern medicine, cancer treatment seems to have advanced dramatically. The advent of revolutionary treatments saved the lives of many patients. Here we will discuss in detail some of the major treatments in modern cancer therapy and their history.
Radiation Therapy: The Miracle of Invisible Light
Radiation therapy was established in 1895 with the discovery of X-rays by Roentgen. Radiation is a high-energy electromagnetic wave that can kill cancer cells.
In early cancer treatment, radiation therapy played an important role alongside surgery.
Types of Therapy
X-ray therapy: Radiation therapy in which X-rays are irradiated from outside the body.
Radium therapy: Radium and other radioactive materials are implanted in the body.
Cobalt-60 therapy: Radiation therapy in which a radioactive substance such as cobalt-60 is irradiated outside the body.
History of Radiation Therapy
End of 19th century: Discovery of X-rays by Roentgen
Early 20th century: Development of radium therapy
1950s: Development of cobalt-60 therapy
1960s onwards: Technological innovation of radiation therapy equipment
Chemotherapy: Drugs that target the enemy lurking in the body
In the mid-20th century, chemotherapy was developed using anticancer drugs. Anticancer drugs are administered into the body and attack cancer cells throughout the body. Along with radiation therapy, chemotherapy is one of the most important treatments in modern cancer therapy.
Typical anticancer agents
Alkylating agents: drugs that damage DNA
Anti-tumor antibiotics: drugs that inhibit cell growth
Hormone therapy: drugs that block the action of hormones
History of Chemotherapy
1940s: Discovery of anti-tumor effects of mustard gas
1950s: Development of anti-cancer drugs such as methotrexate
1970s onward: Development of various anticancer agents and establishment of combination therapy
Surgery: Aiming for radical cure by resection of the affected area
Surgery is a treatment method that aims for radical cure of cancer by resection of the affected area. With the improvement of surgical techniques and the development of anesthesia technology, surgery has played an important role in modern cancer treatment.
Types of Surgery
Open surgery: Surgery to remove the affected area through an incision on the body surface
Laparoscopic surgery: Surgery in which a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision to remove the affected area
Robotic-assisted surgery: Surgery to remove the affected area using a robotic arm
History of Surgery
19th century: Development of anesthesia technology
Early 20th century: Improvement of surgical techniques
1980s onward: Development of laparoscopic surgery and robot-assisted surgery
Immunotherapy: Fighting Cancer with the Power of Immunity
Immunotherapy has achieved remarkable results in recent years. Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the power of the immune system to attack cancer cells. Unlike conventional therapies, it has become possible to provide effective treatment with fewer side effects.
Typical immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: drugs that inhibit molecules that suppress the function of immune cells
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T cell therapy): A therapy in which a patient’s T cells are genetically engineered to specifically attack cancer cells
History of Immunotherapy
20th century: Birth of the concept of immunotherapy
1990s: Discovery of immune checkpoint molecules
2010s onward: Development of innovative immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell therapy
Modern Cancer Therapy
Modern cancer treatment has made great strides, but there are still many challenges to overcome.
Early detection and diagnosis: For many types of cancer, early detection and treatment are the keys to success. However, many patients are still diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Resistance to treatment: Some patients are resistant to treatment and may not respond to it.
Side effects: Treatment-related side effects can significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life.
SUMMARY
Cancer treatment has developed rapidly in recent years from technology that began in the Middle Ages. We are lucky to be born in this era of early detection, which was not possible in the medieval era, due to modern and contemporary technologies.
Cancer treatment is expected to continue to develop in the future, and with the advancement of immunotherapy, which is attracting the most attention in addition to radiotherapy and chemotherapy that began in the modern era, the day when cancer will be eliminated from our lives may not be far off.
I would like to look into “immunotherapy,” which has been the focus of much attention in recent years, at some point.
