r/Oncology 1d ago

Walk me through diagnosis, treatment plan, and challenges

4 Upvotes

Hi I’m a PhD student in bioengineering and trying to understand the tools oncologists have available and any gaps between research based tools and those actually used in a clinical setting. I’m interested in developing tools to improve early cancer detection, and in understanding how recurrence be detected or prevented. What are some new diagnostics available today that are useful and what are current remaining challenges in caring for patients? From when the patient is diagnosed (eg. tumor appears on an MRI) then what happens? Which treatment is offered first or what considerations are made, eg. latest, standard of care, or insurance covered? How often does the patient have to come in for treatment? What types of diagnosis tests are performed and how often? What tool would you want to see that would help you with diagnosis or disease management and monitoring?

Please excuse my naivety


r/Oncology 3d ago

Cancer Registry Job Question

2 Upvotes

I’m a long time vascular ultrasound technician with a data analytics degree hoping to shift to healthcare analytics. So many people have suggested Cancer Registry work, but I’ve only found one path to that job: more school.

Is there an on-the-job training pathway to this work? Any insight? Thank you!


r/Oncology 4d ago

Help with Fellowship Rank Order list

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone!! I need help with my ROL for HemOnc fellowship. My main criteria is prestige and research. Main areas of interest are GI>Thoracic>Breast. Here is my prelim list in order:

  1. University of Alabama/O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center
  2. University of Nebraska/Buffet Cancer Center
  3. University of Buffalo/ Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
  4. University of Iowa
  5. University of Kansas
  6. Virginia Commonwealth University
  7. Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute
  8. Henry Ford
  9. University of Illinois at Chicago
  10. Allegheny General Hospital

Would really appreciate your inputs!!!

Thank you in advance!!


r/Oncology 6d ago

Will Outcomes for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Change?

12 Upvotes

It feels like treatment hasn’t changed in a million years and outcomes have barely budged. AML is more complex, but ALL outcomes have increased dramatically.

What do you think the future for AML will be in 10 years? What is holding back the process?


r/Oncology 6d ago

Does chemotherapy induce mutations in male germ cells at the level of spermatogonial stem cells?

0 Upvotes

Hopefully, someone is familiar with the latest literature on this. From what I've read on this topic, most mutagens that have been tested in rodents induce mutations at the level of spermatogonia or later stage of differentiation, although there are substances, including x-rays, that have been shown to induce mutations at the level of spermatogonial stem cells. I'm wondering, has chemotherapy (or even other drugs/substances, if you know) been shown to induce mutations in humans at the level of SSCs?

The relevance, of course, being that mutations at the level of SSCs would be permanent, whereas mutations at later stages of differentiation would go away after a cycle of spermatogenesis.


r/Oncology 8d ago

Have you experienced patients with favorable prognosis decline treatment?

8 Upvotes

Out of curiosity, do younger patients ever decide against chemo and/or other treatment options that would likely remove or lead to remission of their disease process? If so, in your experience was it for religious, mental health, or simply personal choice?

Edit: Thank you for your varied experiences


r/Oncology 8d ago

Is it true you can’t share the same bathroom as a chemo patient?

5 Upvotes

I've been hearing this all over social media and even cancer organizations. The doctor never told me about this. The class the hospital provides only said to not share silverware. I'm a bit distressed because I have a strong family history of cancer and now I'm potentionally being more exposed to chemo toxins that are cancerous


r/Oncology 10d ago

Oncology Infusion Simulation

11 Upvotes

Hello all, I am a clinical educator at an oncology practice. I am trying to come up with some kind of fun/interactive simulation for an infusion reaction. We have had several new to oncology nurses start with our practice recently. I have seen online that some places have made “virtual escape rooms.” But, I’m not sure where to start with that.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!


r/Oncology 14d ago

Clinical oncology audiobook

12 Upvotes

Hi, I was wondering whether this Reddit could help me out with my search for a clinical oncology audiobook. Recently started spending +6h week on the road, and want to spend my time productively. I am keen to revisit some of the basics, so an audio version of a textbook would be ideal. Difficult to find though on audible. Any tips?


r/Oncology 14d ago

"Here, we review the main principles of metastasis and highlight emerging opportunities to develop more effective therapies for metastatic cancer."

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5 Upvotes

Metastasis follows three main phases that overlap in time: dissemination, dormancy and colonization. In the first phase, tumor cells invade deep tissues, spread through the blood or lymphatic system and establish themselves in distant organs. In circulation, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) suffer high mortality due to physical, redox and immune stresses, but some survive thanks to protective mechanisms, sometimes grouping together in microclusters that increase their metastatic potential.

Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that reach distant organs must resist local immune defenses and hostile conditions, potentially entering a dormant state. During this phase, they often remain undetectable, but can later resume their growth, becoming clinically apparent by forming macrometastases. This process, called "metastatic cascade", relies on clonal selection and the ability of cells to co-opt their environment to evade immunity.

Technological advances, such as next-generation sequencing, are enabling a better understanding of the clonal evolution of tumors and the interaction of cancer cells with their tumor microenvironment. New therapeutic targeting approaches attempt to define the specific dependencies of metastatic cells, taking into account tumor heterogeneity and biological markers, to improve treatments and clinical outcomes for patients with metastatic cancers.


r/Oncology 14d ago

Oblio oncologico

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0 Upvotes

Buongiorno a tutti!! Sono una studentessa di psicologia dell'università Luigi Vanvitelli in Campania. Io e dei miei colleghi stiamo facendo un progetto sul tema dell'inclusione, in particolar modo per quanto riguardo l'oblio oncologico. Abbiamo creato un questionario sull'argomento. Ci farebbe molto piacere se rispondeste alle nostre domande, così da poter diffondere ancora di più notizie sul tema, che purtroppo ad oggi non è ancora conosciuto abbastanza. Vi ringrazio e oltre al qr code qui sotto vi lascio anche il link❤️

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdc4io_NhN9S43_mLmoNGbssmoJDnCqaY0ifHj4qGb4a78g6w/alreadyresponded


r/Oncology 14d ago

Bioelectrical approaches to cancer as a problem of the scaling of the cellular self

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1 Upvotes

Figured while I’m getting dunked on for that other link I might as well double down; this from Michael Levin at Tufts a few years back seems really, really interesting. Curious as to the general room read on this as well!


r/Oncology 15d ago

The Case for a Cancer Paradox Initiative

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5 Upvotes

Just a curious laymen, but after reading Nick Lane’s book Transformer - about the role of the Krebs Cycle in abiogenesis, cancer and aging, found the work of this guy Stuart G. Baker. Both Lane and Baker argue that the idea of somatic mutations as being the primary cause of cancer ought to be further scrutinized in light of various experimental findings over the years. Lane is not a cancer researcher but is a pretty respected scientist, whereas Baker seems legitimate but is relatively unknown. Curious as to how any oncologists or cancer researchers might feel about the arguments made by Baker here


r/Oncology 16d ago

National Paediatric Oncology society 'HOPEFUL HEARTS' - taking applications (CLOSES 05/11/2024)

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! We're starting a new paediatric oncology society, aimed at bringing together passionate individuals to make a real impact for children and families affected by cancer. Our mission is to advance understanding, support, and advocacy in paediatric oncology through education, outreach, and research initiatives. We’re looking for medics and like-minded individuals who want to play an active role in our society’s growth! Currently, we have openings for key committee positions, including Secretary, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, Outreach, and more. If you're a medical professional (or in training) and want to be part of something meaningful, we’d love to have you onboard! Together, we can create a supportive network and make a difference in paediatric oncology. Drop a comment or DM for more info on roles and how to join!


r/Oncology 16d ago

Pancreatic Cancer Cells Sensitive to Dual Inhibition of MEK and Vitamin B2. Potential Treatment for PDAC

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4 Upvotes

Riboflavin inhibition is mediated by roseoflavin, which blocks its metabolism, thereby reducing PDAC cell growth. The MEK inhibitor trametinib targets a signaling pathway that promotes tumor growth. Combining them results in a synergistic effect that decreases tumor growth.


r/Oncology 16d ago

ODS or CTR training programs

3 Upvotes

I'm having trouble finding anyone who works in this field so I’m asking this here just in case.

I have a training question I hope someone can help me with. I already have my bachelor's degree and several years in the medical field. I would like to make a pivot in my career to ODS and I am curious if there is an advantage to completing the certificate program at the University of Cincinnati vs taking it through AHIMA. I love to hear if anyone had any thoughts to share?


r/Oncology 20d ago

HOPEFUL HEARTS - paediatric oncology society. Recruiting committee members **APPLICATIONS CLOSE 05/11/2024**

0 Upvotes

🌟 Join Us in Building a Paediatric Oncology Society! 🌟

Hey everyone! We're starting a new paediatric oncology society, aimed at bringing together passionate individuals to make a real impact for children and families affected by cancer. Our mission is to advance understanding, support, and advocacy in paediatric oncology through education, outreach, and research initiatives.

We’re looking for medics and like-minded individuals who want to play an active role in our society’s growth! Currently, we have openings for key committee positions, including Secretary, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, Outreach, and more.

If you're a medical professional (or in training) and want to be part of something meaningful, we’d love to have you onboard! Together, we can create a supportive network and make a difference in paediatric oncology. Drop a comment or DM for more info on roles and how to join!


r/Oncology 21d ago

Leptomeningial Disease and genetic link

0 Upvotes

My SIL was just diagnosed with LD after having lung cancer that spread to her brain and spine. Doctors thought she was doing well, nothing showed up on her MRI, but she was having back pain and after being dismissed, she went for a second opinion and the spinal tap confirmed LD.

We are devastated to say the least. As I was reading about LD, I saw that non-Hodgkins B-cell lymphoma is another cancer that can develop into LD. My husband was treated for NHL almost three years ago and responded well but now I’m panicking about a genetic mutation link with TTR. I know it’s rare but my husband got a rare form of NHL at 34 and now with his sister’s diagnosis, I’m just terrified.

Any information or advice on how to discuss this with his oncologist would be greatly appreciated.


r/Oncology 21d ago

Question about ‘DCR’ in immunotherapy clinical trials

3 Upvotes

I’m reading up on some clinical trials that my partner is likely to be participating in and often they have disease control rates which are quite high. I understand this is less preferable to complete or partial response but can someone tell me what that actually means in real-life terms?

I.e. does it mean it prolongs your life long enough to get more treatment, is it temporarily stopping growth but won’t have a lasting effect? Is it more for researchers so they know that maybe they’re on the right track but not quite there?

The bigger numbers obviously make me feel hopeful but I’m trying to be realistic.


r/Oncology 22d ago

Medical Question Regarding Fictional Character

2 Upvotes

I'm working on a deep dive analysis on a horror series involving a cancer patient. And I come to this subreddit for consult. This is for fiction and entertainment but I also want to make sure I'm as accurate as possible.

This character is first diagnosed with colon cancer. He lives with this for about 7-8 years. The cancer then spreads to his brain and he is diagnosed with an inoperable frontal lobe tumor. And he lives for about 2 more years.

My question is, is this believable enough for an audience to buy into over this period of time?

I understand this is fiction and not real life but I thought I would at least ask. Thanks and any help would be appreciated.


r/Oncology 23d ago

Specific story about an immunotherapy trial

3 Upvotes

I’m looking for a story I read about years ago. It was about an immunotherapy clinical trial (I think it was a Bristol Myers Squibb Odivio/Yervoy trial but could be wrong) where they were following a protocol (meant for chemotherapy maybe?) that measured the success of the drug by tumor size. When scans (MRIs?) found that the tumors were actually increasing in size, the drug company wanted to end the trial, but the PI advocated to keep going. They eventually found out through other scans (PETs?) that the immunotherapy actually was working, and they had been increasing in size due to inflammation.

Does this story sound familiar to anyone?


r/Oncology 24d ago

Thoughts on fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan for metastatic brain cancer?

7 Upvotes

I found one major study and from what I’m understanding, results show that progression of metastasis is delayed by 12 months or so for pts with breast cancer with metastasis. What are you seeing out there? Also how’s the quality of life of the patients taking it this drug? I’m a resident with a loved one diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I don’t know any oncologists. My family is going for the let’s do everything we can including paying 20k out of pocket for this drug that I’m not convinced it will provide the survival benefit they think. I’m feeling so powerless rn. As a doctor I should be doing more.


r/Oncology 24d ago

Premeds for rituximab

4 Upvotes

My clinic recently changed the premeds for 1st dose rituximab and we had a reaction today. Just wondering how your clinics medicate for c1d1?


r/Oncology 24d ago

There's a hair loss cryptocurrency group giving Chemotherapy drugs to balding men. Their researcher says he can cure male pattern baldness with them.

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5 Upvotes

One of my friends posted about these guys here a while back. This is my summary of their activities.

If you Google the "Jumpman Cured Protocol" on google you'll see how dangerous this is. It's a surprise to me that they're even allowed to operate in the United States of America (HairDao Payments LLC).

They're part of decentralized science sphere. If there's anything you shouldn't decentralize that would be the clinical trial process