Oncology and hematology

2,498 articles · Since 2004

Articles, page 81

Asking patients about their health care financial concerns

September 8, 2011Sep 8, 20114

I remember joking with Dad about how he'd outlive us all. He had gone vegetarian 10 years before I was born, never smoked, took vitamins, and asked for a designated driver after his annual Heineken at the neighbor's Christmas shin-dig.…

I remember joking with Dad about how he’d outlive us all. He had gone vegetarian 10 years before I was born, never smoked, took vitamins, and asked for a designated driver after his annual Heineken at the neighbor’s Christmas shin-dig. He flossed, wore a seat belt, and looked forward to annual physicals. If I tried leaving our Michigan house in the winter with more than 3 inches of skin exposed, …

Conditions and diseases

The problem with early detection of disease in medicine

Dr. Joe Kosterich

September 5, 2011Sep 5, 20116

Medicine is presented as being highly scientific. This is until information comes out which questions certain assumptions that underpin the practice of medicine. One of the mantras of modern medicine is that early detection is good. This seems logical enough.…

Medicine is presented as being highly scientific. This is until information comes out which questions certain assumptions that underpin the practice of medicine.

One of the mantras of modern medicine is that early detection is good. This seems logical enough.

However there is an underlying assumption. That is that there will be a worsening of the condition if it is not detected and that treatment will improve the situation. What would happen …

Conditions and diseases

An informed screening choice for breast cancer

Margaret Polaneczky, MD

September 2, 2011Sep 2, 20112

Most women in their 40′s believe they should have annual mammograms, regardless of what screening regimen their doctor might recommend. So say researchers in Massachusetts who surveyed women (primarily white, highly educated) ages 39-49 presenting for annual checkups. They gave…

Most women in their 40′s believe they should have annual mammograms, regardless of what screening regimen their doctor might recommend.

So say researchers in Massachusetts who surveyed women (primarily white, highly educated) ages 39-49 presenting for annual checkups. They gave the women a fact sheet about the new USPSTF guidelines on mammogram screening in their age group, and asked them to read one of two articles either supporting or …

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Physician voices

Taking the time to answer patient questions

Sharon Bahrych, PA-C, MPH

August 15, 2011Aug 15, 201115

I was working in the bone marrow transplant clinic of an internationally known cancer center. When I looked into the patient’s faces, I saw hope as they were being worked up for a possible transplant. I went into see a…

I went into see a new patient. She had leukemia and had relapsed after her remission. Her sister would be the donor.

Gretchen, age 19 came in with her mom for the appointment. She was tall, youthful …

Patient voices

Think about mindfulness when seeing a new patient

Steve Wilkins, MPH

August 15, 2011Aug 15, 201112

I had a "wow" experience recently when I accompanied my wife to interview a new doctor for her. As some reader may know she is being seen by specialists at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston for Stage IV lung…

I had a “wow” experience recently when I accompanied my wife to interview a new doctor for her. As some reader may know she is being seen by specialists at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston for Stage IV lung cancer. She has not had a local oncologist for the past 6 years, but she does now. And we both love this guy!

You need to understand that I have …

Patient voices

The problem with I Heart Boobies bracelets worn by middle school students

Ann Silberman

August 11, 2011Aug 11, 20119

Many of you know that a judge in Pennsylvania has determined that the popular "I Heart Boobies" bracelets worn by middle school students are a form of free speech intended to raise awareness of breast cancer and cannot be restricted…

Many of you know that a judge in Pennsylvania has determined that the popular “I Heart Boobies” bracelets worn by middle school students are a form of free speech intended to raise awareness of breast cancer and cannot be restricted by schools.

As much as I love a good double-entrendre, I find the entire situation to be sad, particularly the misinformed comments I’ve seen made by parents of …

Patient voices

The choices after getting diagnosed with breast cancer can be overwhelming

Jackie Fox

August 3, 2011Aug 3, 20114

One of the many things I didn’t know about breast cancer before I got a front-row seat was just how many choices it entails. I didn’t realize that so much of the experience wouldn’t have clear-cut, yes/no answers. You’re confronted…

You’re confronted by your first choice before you even know you have cancer. When my mammogram revealed suspicious specks, I was presented the choice of a stereotactic or surgical biopsy. I opted for the …

Patient voices

The benefit of prostate cancer screening is controversial

Caprice Cadacio, MD

August 2, 2011Aug 2, 2011

A good screening test is relatively inexpensive and noninvasive. In addition, effective treatment should be available if the disease being screened for is confirmed. Lastly, detecting the disease before a patient becomes symptomatic must be more beneficial than detection after…

The latter point is often debated in prostate cancer screening, which is done by obtaining a serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and performing a …

Conditions and diseases

Advances in cancer treatment are hyped by headlines

Kevin Pho, MD

July 31, 2011Jul 31, 2011

The following op-ed was published on June 5, 2011 in USA Today. A patient recently asked me if I had heard about the new "wonder drugs" used to treat skin cancer. Indeed, I had. In a widely reported story in…

The following op-ed was published on June 5, 2011 in USA Today.

A patient recently asked me if I had heard about the new “wonder drugs” used to treat skin cancer. Indeed, I had. In a widely reported story in early June, two novel cancer drugs were found to benefit patients with advanced melanoma, a devastating form of skin cancer. These …

Patient voices

ASCO: Making e-visits work for cancer patients

Douglas Blayney, MD

July 27, 2011Jul 27, 2011

In early February, my new patient was a middle-aged woman from here in Silicon Valley with a self-discovered 2 cm right breast mass. Her internist was all over this. She quickly had a core needle biopsy, was evaluated by one of our breast surgeons, and was referred to me for an opinion regarding pre-operative (neo-adjuvant) chemotherapy. I saw her …

Patient voices

The side effects of cancer treatment go beyond losing your hair

Jessica Gold

July 18, 2011Jul 18, 201110

If someone asked me at this point in the year, which happens to be nearly the end of my first one, what I liked most about medical school, it would have to be the patient's stories. I could do without…

If someone asked me at this point in the year, which happens to be nearly the end of my first one, what I liked most about medical school, it would have to be the patient’s stories.

I could do without the hours of science classes and my utter lack of motivation to learn any subject that I am told is important. I could also do without the people who need …

Physician voices

An apology to a terminal patient with colon cancer

Jordan Grumet, MD

July 7, 2011Jul 7, 201120

I'm sorry, Mrs. Lewis, for not making it to the hospital to see you yesterday. Yesterday was one of those days when I felt like I could never catch up. My wife was going downtown for work, and we had…

I’m sorry, Mrs. Lewis, for not making it to the hospital to see you yesterday.

Yesterday was one of those days when I felt like I could never catch up. My wife was going downtown for work, and we had to get up early. While she prepared, I helped my two-year-old son get dressed. We walked my wife to the train, then waited for the nanny. She was running late: I …

Patient voices

Use the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service

Erin Marcus, MD

July 5, 2011Jul 5, 2011

Brenda Bryant learned she had breast cancer while she was sitting alone in her car in the parking lot of her grandson's day care center. It was early evening on a Friday two years ago, and her surgeon called to…

Brenda Bryant learned she had breast cancer while she was sitting alone in her car in the parking lot of her grandson’s day care center. It was early evening on a Friday two years ago, and her surgeon called to tell her the results of a biopsy. “He just gave me my results and that was it,” says Bryant, who lives in Northern Virginia. “It was like there was …

Conditions and diseases

Medicare should stop paying for prostate cancer screening in men over age 75

Kevin Pho, MD

July 3, 2011Jul 3, 201129

The following op-ed was published on June 1st, 2011 in the New York Times’ Room for Debate blog. Medicare should stop paying for prostate cancer screening in men over the age of 75. You may be surprised to hear that,…

The following op-ed was published on June 1st, 2011 in the New York Times’ Room for Debate blog.

Medicare should stop paying for prostate cancer screening in men over the age of 75.

You may be surprised to hear that, especially coming from a primary care doctor. But evidence is mounting that screening for prostate cancer is not only ineffective in older men, but may actually be harmful.

The cornerstone of …

Conditions and diseases

Analyzing the reporting of lung cancer CT screening

Gary Schwitzer

July 1, 2011Jul 1, 2011

It's been another challenging week for journalists covering various screening stories. First the new analysis of Swedish mammography studies: Some familiar flaws surfaced in some stories. Then came the followup analysis of the National Lung Screening Trial - first reported…

It’s been another challenging week for journalists covering various screening stories.

First the new analysis of Swedish mammography studies: Some familiar flaws surfaced in some stories.

Then came the followup analysis of the National Lung Screening Trial – first reported last fall.

This week various headlines announced:

More evidence CT scans better at detecting lung cancer
Study bolsters evidence that screening reduces lung cancer deaths
Nat’l Study Shows Long-Term Smokers Should Get Lung

…

Conditions and diseases

MKSAP: 61-year-old man with progressive weakness

mksap

June 18, 2011Jun 18, 2011

Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians. A 61-year-old man is evaluated in the office for a 6-month history of progressive weakness of the lower extremities. He says he has difficulty…

Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians.

A 61-year-old man is evaluated in the office for a 6-month history of progressive weakness of the lower extremities. He says he has difficulty rising from a seated position and walking up stairs and also has episodes of dry eyes, dry mouth, and erectile dysfunction. The …

Conditions and diseases

MKSAP: 50-year-old woman with advanced multiple myeloma

mksap

June 11, 2011Jun 11, 20113

Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians. A 50-year-old woman with advanced multiple myeloma diagnosed 6 months ago undergoes a follow-up visit. Treatment includes daily oral thalidomide and pulse dexamethasone. The…

Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians.

A 50-year-old woman with advanced multiple myeloma diagnosed 6 months ago undergoes a follow-up visit. Treatment includes daily oral thalidomide and pulse dexamethasone. The patient now feels well.

Laboratory studies indicate a serum monoclonal protein concentration of 3.0 g/dL (30 g/L). Hemoglobin concentration, serum calcium level, and …

Physician voices

Why private practice surgeons perform more open breast biopsies

Jeffrey Parks, MD

June 9, 2011Jun 9, 20119

A Florida study assessed the rate of needle versus surgical breast biopsies over a period of five years. What we're talking about here are non-palpable abnormalities that are identified on screening mammography. A mammogram report will come back that assesses…

A Florida study assessed the rate of needle versus surgical breast biopsies over a period of five years.

What we’re talking about here are non-palpable abnormalities that are identified on screening mammography. A mammogram report will come back that assesses the relative risk of an abnormal collection of calcifications harboring an invasive or pre-invasive cancer (staged on a scale from I-V). With such data, one is obligated, …

Physician voices

Why families and advocacy groups accept the torture of dying patients

Aroop Mangalik, MD

June 9, 2011Jun 9, 201120

by Aroop Mangalik, MD A man has lung cancer that has spread to the brain. The cancer in the brain has been growing despite full dose radiation. His lungs have failed and he has been on a respirator for 10…

by Aroop Mangalik, MD

A man has lung cancer that has spread to the brain. The cancer in the brain has been growing despite full dose radiation. His lungs have failed and he has been on a respirator for 10 days with progressive worsening of lung function.

Despite multiple discussions between the doctors and the Intensive Care Unit’s team …

Physician voices

A doctor’s letter to a patient with newly diagnosed cancer

Dr. Martin Young

June 9, 2011Jun 9, 201133

Dear "Robin," Nothing in my career in medicine has prepared me for being a friend to someone with such a terrible disease. As a doctor I dispense advice on a daily basis, but those interactions remain strangely impersonal. With you,…

Dear “Robin,”

Nothing in my career in medicine has prepared me for being a friend to someone with such a terrible disease. As a doctor I dispense advice on a daily basis, but those interactions remain strangely impersonal. With you, cancer has invaded our inner circle, and we all share your shock and despair.

No one can know exactly what it feels like …

Oncology and hematology

Articles, page 81

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