Oncology at the Crossroads of Law and Management: Balancing Cancer Innovation, Patient Rights, and Healthcare Economics

Abstract

Oncology today stands at a critical intersection of medical innovation, legal regulation, and healthcare management. Rapid advances in cancer research—including immunotherapy, precision medicine, and genomics—have created unprecedented opportunities for improved survival and quality of life. However, these innovations also raise complex legal and managerial challenges. Intellectual property laws and patent disputes influence the affordability and accessibility of life-saving oncology drugs, as seen in landmark cases like Novartis v. Union of India. Ethical and regulatory frameworks governing clinical trials and patient consent shape how new therapies are tested and delivered. At the same time, healthcare management systems must balance escalating treatment costs, insurance models, and the equitable distribution of limited resources in public and private hospitals. This interdisciplinary study explores how law and management together mediate the tensions between innovation, patient rights, and economic sustainability in oncology. By integrating perspectives from medical science, constitutional rights, bioethics, pharmaceutical business strategy, and hospital administration, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring that cancer care remains both cutting-edge and socially just.