The fight against cancer relies on three main strategies: surgical, pharmacological, and radiation therapy. Tremendous progress has been made in each of these areas over recent decades. New drugs are being developed globally, cellular technologies are being introduced, and various types of radiation exposure are being utilized. Doctors are increasingly turning to personalized medicine methods, considering not only the tumor’s location but also its molecular-genetic profile. GxP News reports on what modern treatment methods are available to Russian patients today.

In January, the American Cancer Society published its Cancer Statistics, 2026 report, cited by PharmMedProm,” stating that overall cancer mortality continues to decline, and the five-year survival rate (a key oncology metric) for all cancers combined has reached 70%. While some cancers remain challenging, progress is being made.

Lung Cancer: In the 1990s, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer that had spread to lymph nodes and adjacent organs was 20%, and for cases with distant metastases, only 2%. Now, due to screening, these rates have increased to 32% and 10%, respectively.
Melanoma: The median survival for advanced melanoma used to be 6-9 months, but with immunotherapy drugs, it has been raised to 6 years, and the five-year survival rate has increased from 4-5% to 35%. It is no longer one of the most dangerous tumors.
Liver Cancer: Besides targeted therapy and immunotherapy, various ablation techniques, intra-arterial chemotherapy, and embolization procedures are used. The most favorable prognosis at early stages is 37%, but this drops to 3% if distant metastases appear.

World Cancer Day

Last year, 700,000 patients in Russia were diagnosed with cancer. While a lack of oncological vigilance among doctors was previously considered a reason for late detection, the situation has now improved. Patient awareness is equally crucial. Specialists emphasize that 30-50% of all cancers can be prevented through a healthier lifestyle and regular check-ups.

From February 2 to 8, 2026, the Russian Ministry of Health is conducting a week of cancer prevention, timed to World Cancer Day on February 4. Leading specialists from the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology spoke at a press conference dedicated to the event.

A feature of the “Oncology Center on Kashirka” is that it includes the Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, allowing for the follow-up of young patients even after they turn 18. Moreover, the pattern of morbidity is changing, with adult forms of cancer being diagnosed in children and childhood forms in adults.
The overall incidence of malignant neoplasms in children remains constant year to year at about 4,500 cases annually, of which 1,500 are treated at the Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology. “Today we use the most modern treatment protocols and all available drugs in the world. We are capable of providing care for any disease. The numbers speak for themselves: survival for a number of diseases is about 98%, and overall it is over 85%,” said Svetlana Varfolomeeva, Director of the Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology and President of the National Society of Pediatric Hematologists and Oncologists.

One breakthrough in treating children is the ability to perform total body irradiation in preparation for bone marrow transplantation, which was a highly challenging task just a few years ago. Today it is a routine procedure. While only 9 bone marrow transplants were performed in 2019, for example, 246 were done in 2025.

Radiation and Myths

Radiation therapy, based on the use of ionizing radiation, has been and remains one of the leading anti-cancer treatments. Numerous unfounded myths surround this method, generating equally baseless fears. Some believe the patient becomes radioactive and dangerous to others after the procedure; others think it inevitably leads to radiation sickness. Unfortunately, these misconceptions often lead to refusal of modern diagnostic and treatment methods that save lives.

In fact, modern medicine has learned to use radiation with pinpoint accuracy, destroying only diseased tissue and making the procedure safe. “There are many myths, but it’s important to understand that we work according to safe international protocols. The radiation doses patients receive are strictly regulated and aimed solely at patient recovery,” said Marina Chernykh, Chief Freelance Specialist in Radiotherapy at the Russian Ministry of Health.

Today, 95% of Russia’s 89 regions are equipped with modern radiation therapy equipment, and a new linear accelerator will be commissioned in the DPR in the coming months.
“Approximately 180,000 completed courses of radiation therapy are performed in the country annually. Today, there is no type of radiotherapeutic treatment that is unavailable to us,” Chernykh said.

The availability of modern equipment and its deployment to regional centers highlights the need for training personnel in the specialty of “radiotherapist,” a shortage of which persists. There is also a shortage of specialists in the rare field of medical physics, who ensure the safe and effective use of radiation and radiological equipment; currently, there are only 700 such specialists in the country. According to Marina Chernykh, the established system of accreditation and professional training will facilitate a new influx of personnel from specialized universities.

Drug therapy at a new level

Oncologists often reiterate that cancer is no longer a death sentence today; even at late stages, a person can be saved. The focus is on conservative treatment methods aimed at increasing therapy efficacy, minimizing side effects, and shortening rehabilitation time. Furthermore, thanks to modern drugs, it is possible to turn a life-threatening disease into a chronic condition.

According to Konstantin Laktionov, First Deputy Director of the N.N. Blokhin NMRCO, in the past, when oncologists lacked the necessary pharmacological resources, even brilliantly performed surgeries lost their purpose. Today, patients receive innovative drug treatment following surgical intervention. “Oncology is advancing by leaps and bounds. The translational capabilities – where findings from fundamental research quickly move into clinical practice – represent something unique that is being accumulated precisely within the oncology service,” Laktionov said.

The first decade of the 21st century saw the advent of targeted therapy, which allowed control over pathologically activated cells driving aggressive tumor growth. The next decade was marked by the emergence of immunotherapy, aimed at activating the patient’s own immune system to fight the disease. “As for supportive care, it has reached a fundamentally new level, and today’s capabilities are very great, although individual intolerance remains. No matter what drug it is, it may not work in some cases. And our efforts are aimed at learning to use them rationally,” Laktionov concluded.