Immunotherapy drug durvalumab is a game-changer for bladder cancer patients, keeping 85% surgery-free after one year compared to just 60% with standard treatment. Avoiding bladder removal means dodging devastating side effects like lifelong stoma bags that upend daily life. This breakthrough, presented at the world's largest cancer conference, has real potential to become the new standard of care.
The durvalumab hype glosses over the real numbers — only 8 extra patients per 100 avoid recurrence at two years, meaning 13 people must be treated for just one to benefit. On top of that, severe side effects increase by 8-10% and serious immune complications hit roughly 68 out of 100 patients. Long-term survival data hasn't matured yet, so calling this a definitive breakthrough is premature.
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