COVID-19 breakthrough infections and the omicron variant: What to know now
The number of breakthrough COVID-19 infections continues to climb, both in the United States and around the world. Many are now due to the omicron variant, as opposed to the delta variant, which still accounted for more than 90% of all documented COVID-19 infections in the U.S. as recently as mid-December.
So, what does this mean, from a practical standpoint? Is it okay to send your kids back to school after the holiday break?...
The latest on COVID-19’s omicron variant: What’s changed?
Updated Dec. 23, 2021
The omicron variant has now overtaken the delta variant in the United States as the predominant strain of...
COVID-19’s omicron variant: What we know now
The omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 was first identified in South Africa in late November and has since become...
Radioactive iodine therapy: 9 things to know
Radioactive iodine therapy has been used in the treatment of thyroid cancer since the early 1940s. But how does it work? Which patients need it? And how has its use changed over the years?
To learn more about this highly effective and well-established tool, we spoke with Jeena Varghese, M.D., who specializes in endocrine tumors.
What is radioactive iodine therapy?
Radioactive iodine therapy is a radiopharmaceutical...
Unable to donate blood due to iron-deficiency anemia? 13 things to know
Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common reasons people are rejected as potential blood donors.
But what causes this condition...
Adenocarcinomas: 6 things to know about the ‘cancer of the cavities’
Adenocarcinomas can develop in many different parts of the body, including the lungs, prostate, colon, rectum, small bowel, pancreas, stomach...
COVID-19 revaccination needed after stem cell transplants and CAR T cell therapy
If you’re a cancer patient who was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before having a stem cell transplant or receiving a CAR T cell infusion...
Mixing and matching COVID-19 booster shots: Should you do it?
Last updated Jan. 12, 2022
Booster shots have now been approved for all three of the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. And the...
What is adjuvant therapy for breast cancer?
Many patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer will hear their doctors use the word “adjuvant” to describe certain treatment options.<...
Swollen lymph nodes and other symptoms of lymphoma
Almost everyone will experience a swollen lymph node at some point. That’s because these structures are designed to filter germs and other...
Pheochromocytoma survivor achieves remission through targeted therapy clinical trial
By the time Susan Waldrop was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumor called sporadic metastatic pheochromocytoma in May 2015, she’d been...
Leukemia survivor still grateful for childhood cancer programs
In some ways, 2005 was a challenging year for Carrington Marzett. The 15-year-old sophomore was still settling in after a recent move from...
Diabetes as a side effect of cancer treatment: 8 things to know
Diabetes affects roughly 10% of people in the United States. Another 1 in 3 has pre-diabetes, or elevated blood sugar levels that don’t quite...
COVID-19’s new mu variant: 8 things to know
The highly contagious delta variant continues to be the most dominant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing thousands of new COVID-19 infections...
Melanoma 101: Answers to five common questions
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in melanocytes, the cells that carry pigment.
But are there different types? How is it...
What should I do if my child is exposed to COVID-19?
In-person classes are back in session for millions of school children across the country. But masking requirements vary by state, the highly...
When should I get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19?
Last updated Nov. 19, 2021
Flu season is upon us once again, and for a second time in as many years it’s occurring during the COVID...
Graft vs. host disease: 6 things to know about this stem cell transplant side effect
Between 20% and 70% of patients who receive an allogeneic stem cell transplant as a part of their cancer treatment will develop at least a...
Does ivermectin prevent or cure COVID-19?
There’s been a lot of talk recently about a drug called ivermectin, in connection with COVID-19.
But what is ivermectin, exactly? Has...
Childhood cancer programs help young Wilms’ tumor survivor thrive
Kinsley Curley was only 3 years old when she was diagnosed with a stage IV Wilms’ tumor, one of the most common types of kidney cancer found...
Breakthrough infections and the COVID-19 delta variant: What you need to know
Reports of breakthrough COVID-19 infections are on the rise, as the delta variant rapidly spreads in communities across the country.
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Diagnosed with a rare cancer: Now what?
Receiving any type of cancer diagnosis can be stressful, even if it’s a common or well-known disease, such as breast cancer, lung cancer or...
SBRT helps stage IV kidney cancer patient keep her treatment options open
Becky Van Curen’s family had no history of cancer. So, when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015, she was shocked and scared....
Back to school and the delta variant : 7 questions, answered
As many children prepare to return to school in person, the highly contagious delta variant continues to spur a rapid increase in COVID-19...
Clinical trial puts rare BPDCN leukemia in remission with diphtheria-based targeted therapy drug
When a small, painless lump began developing on Melissa Evans’ left arm near her elbow in late 2014, she didn’t give it much thought. The...
Daughter’s persistence shows importance of not delaying cancer screenings
Judy Garcia is still too young to need a regular mammogram herself. But as a breast ultrasound technologist, the 30-year-old knows how important...
Fully vaccinated but immunocompromised: What’s safe for you to do?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent announcement that those who’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer...
Abnormal or inconclusive scan or test? 5 things to know when the doctor calls
Thousands of people will get screening exams for breast cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer this year. Others will get diagnostic tests...
Remission, cancer-free, no evidence of disease: What’s the difference?
To a cancer patient, one of the most magical words in the English language may be “remission.” For those fortunate enough to hear it, it imparts...
What constitutes your medical history?
Any time you see a new doctor, one of the first things they’ll ask about is your medical history. That’s because everything from the aftermath...
Air travel for the fully vaccinated against COVID-19: Is it safe yet?
You’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and life is inching back toward normal. Now, with temperatures creeping back up, you find yourself...
Breast cancer treatment at MD Anderson: 6 things that make a difference
If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may already know you have many options when it comes to where to seek treatment.
But...
Do thyroid cancer patients need a low-iodine diet?
You’ve probably heard of the low-fat diet. Maybe even the low-carb diet. But what about the low-iodine diet?
If you or someone you...
4 advances in radiation therapy for lung cancer treatment
One of the most difficult aspects of treating lung cancer with radiation therapy is determining the best way to deliver it. Ideally, doctors...
Whipple procedure: 9 things to know
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may have heard of the Whipple procedure. This complex surgery is...
Chemotherapy side effect: hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia)
Hand-foot syndrome (also called palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia) is a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs that can cause redness, swelling...
Which COVID-19 vaccine is best for cancer patients?
With three COVID-19 vaccines now authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you might be wondering which vaccine...
What’s safe for vaccinated cancer patients?
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidelines earlier this month for those who’ve gotten vaccinated against...
How to manage nausea from cancer treatment
One of the most common side effects of cancer treatment is nausea. It can be caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and even anesthesia...
Lost your sense of taste or smell? 8 tips for eating well
It’s rare for people to completely lose their sense of taste or smell. But noticeable – and usually temporary – changes to these...
6 questions about coronavirus mutations
New strains of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 have already been identified in four different countries, including the United...
You’ve gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Now what?
Last updated March 11, 2021
You’ve gotten a COVID-19 vaccine. That’s a big, welcome milestone. After months of masking, social distancing...
6 things to do after a cancer diagnosis
The test results are back. You’ve talked to the doctor and learned you have cancer.
Whether it’s your first cancer diagnosis or your...