A treatment paradigm is a conceptual framework or standardized approach used by clinicians to guide decision-making and therapeutic strategies for a specific medical condition.
🧠In Context: It reflects the prevailing model of care, including when, how, and why certain treatments are applied, based on current evidence, guidelines, and clinical consensus.
đź“š Key Components of a Treatment Paradigm: Diagnostic criteria (when to intervene)
Choice of therapy (first-line, second-line, etc.)
Timing (early vs. delayed treatment)
Goals (curative, palliative, symptomatic)
Evaluation (how success is measured)
🧱 Example: In glioblastoma:
The Stupp protocol (surgery → radiotherapy + temozolomide → adjuvant temozolomide) is the established treatment paradigm.
⚠️ Misuse or Premature Adoption: Referring to an anecdotal or unproven approach (e.g., repeated balloon kyphoplasty in super-aged patients) as a “treatment paradigm” is misleading unless supported by rigorous, reproducible evidence.