To provide the information your oncologist is not telling you or doesn't have the time to!
As the holiday season wraps up and 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that has been both transformative and rejuvenating. This year has been different from any I’ve experienced before—a year of intentional living, personal growth, and deep gratitude. For the past 13 years, I was rooted in a …
Medical malpractice in oncology is a topic that often stirs emotions on all sides—patients, families, and physicians. For patients and caregivers, it may represent a loss of trust and unmet expectations. For providers, it can be a deeply personal challenge that touches the very heart of their commitment to care. In oncology, where time, precision, …
The management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), one of the most common types of leukemia, has advanced significantly over the past decade. New targeted therapies have reshaped treatment paradigms, providing effective, less toxic options compared to traditional chemoimmunotherapy. At the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting, data from the phase 3 AMPLIFY trial introduced another potential breakthrough …
When facing a cancer diagnosis, timing can profoundly impact outcomes, both physically and emotionally. For some malignancies, delays in diagnosis or treatment can lead to disease progression, impacting prognosis and available treatment options. However, the urgency to act must also be balanced with the need for accurate diagnosis and a well-considered treatment plan. This article …
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is one of the most common skin cancers, with cases ranging from easily treatable localized lesions to aggressive forms that can metastasize or become life-threatening. On December 13, 2024, the FDA approved cosibelimab-ipdl (Unloxcyt), a PD-L1 blocking antibody, offering new hope for adults with metastatic CSCC (mCSCC) or locally advanced …
The recent story of unethical practices by a medical oncologist raises significant concerns and offers an opportunity to discuss red flags that patients, families, and even healthcare providers should be aware of when navigating cancer care. While most oncologists are guided by ethical principles and bound by professional accountability, recognizing warning signs can empower patients …
As an oncology research nurse, I have the unique privilege of being part of a team that brings the latest innovations in cancer treatment to life through clinical trials. My role extends far beyond the walls of the research lab or the clinic—it’s about making research accessible, meaningful, and impactful for patients who are navigating …
Prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing has revolutionized obstetrics, serving primarily to screen for fetal genetic abnormalities. Similarly, in oncology, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has become a vital tool for detecting minimal residual disease in colorectal cancer after resection and monitoring responses to immunotherapy. However, groundbreaking research published in the December 2024 issue of The New England …
On December 4, 2024, the FDA approved durvalumab (Imfinzi) for adults with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This approval offers a new standard of care for LS-SCLC, providing patients with improved survival outcomes in a traditionally challenging disease. Key Findings from the ADRIATIC Trial The FDA …
On December 2, 2024, Novocure announced positive results from the Phase 3 PANOVA-3 trial, which evaluated Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS), offering a new potential option for this challenging patient population. However, …