Treatment Paradigm

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.

📚 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.