What is neoadjuvant immunotherapy for skin cancer?
Neoadjuvant immunotherapy is an immunotherapy that’s started before surgery. It is almost always followed with additional doses of adjuvant immunotherapy after surgery.
Several recent studies led by MD Anderson clinical researchers have shown that patients may benefit from starting immunotherapy before surgery to remove high-risk skin cancers.
We spoke to Rodabe Amaria, M.D., Neil Gross, M.D., and Sapna Patel,...
What causes cervical cancer? 6 questions, answered
About 10,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The vast majority of cases are due to the human papillomavirus (HPV).
MD Anderson offers hope to patient with stage IV triple-negative breast cancer
In October 2020, Archna Chainani was diagnosed with stage IV triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive forms of breast...
Immunotherapy combination enables melanoma survivor to sail through retirement
A cancer diagnosis is never good news, but Paul McKinney knows that his stage III melanoma diagnosis at least came at a “good” time in terms of progress in treating the disease.
Thanks to a clinical trial led by Rodabe Amaria, M.D., Paul received a new immunotherapy combination that completely cleared his cancer after two doses and has allowed him to enjoy retirement cancer-free. Recently, Amaria’s team reported that the immunotherapy...
CAR T cell therapy puts smoldering and multiple myeloma survivor in remission
Until she came to MD Anderson, 82-year-old Myrna Youmans had never heard the words “smoldering myeloma.” So, she didn’t know that they described...
Heart cancer: Insights on diagnosis, treatment and research
The heart pumps blood to send vital oxygen throughout the body. It’s a maze of four chambers: two on the left and two on the right. Blood...
Germinoma caregiver: Why I wrote an open thank you note to MD Anderson
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 94. My mother-in-law had it when she was in her 40s. But to my knowledge, there’s...
Ovarian cancer stages: How they are determined
When doctors diagnose a patient with ovarian cancer, a gynecologic oncologist will need to determine what stage it is. If you or a loved one...
6 fitness questions, answered
Some people make exercise look so easy. They’re at the gym several times a week, posting running times from their fitness app. It’s like they...
‘How I knew I had lung cancer’: Three survivors share their symptoms
Chest pain, shortness of breath and a persistent cough can all be symptoms of lung cancer.
But they can also be signs of other conditions...
7 tips for reducing household toxins
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by toxins that may increase cancer risk. After all, household products have so many unrecognizable ingredients...
Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia survivor: Targeted therapy clinical trial put me in remission
By the time I got to MD Anderson in March 2021, I’d already been through two cancer diagnoses, three relapses, six types of chemotherapy and...
Innovative surgery approach helps young colon cancer patient and mom beat the odds
Cassie McKee mistook her first colon cancer symptoms for food poisoning in 2017. When the active mom’s sudden nausea didn’t subside, she feared...
Exercise during cancer treatment: 4 things to know
For years, doctors have recommended exercise to reduce patients’ risk of developing cancer, and to help cancer survivors thrive after treatment...
What is a urostomy?
A urostomy is a surgical procedure that can be a part of bladder cancer treatment. You may also need a urostomy if your bladder isn’t functional...
How to support cancer patients during mental health struggles
Cancer can bring a wide range of emotions for patients, both after a diagnosis and during treatment. Coping with side effects and a changing...
Papillary thyroid cancer: 8 questions, answered
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common form of thyroid cancer. It is normally a slow-growing cancer and makes up roughly 80% to 85% of...
Prostate cancer survivor: I’m grateful for treatment at MD Anderson
My dad had prostate cancer when he was 66, so I never miss my annual physical and routine bloodwork.
In August 2021, when my prostate-specific...
3 facts about Pancoast tumors
Lung cancer can form in any part of the lungs. When lung tumors grow in the upper portion of the lung, above the first rib, they’re called...
Retired oncologist: Four things I’ve learned as a six-time cancer survivor
As a retired physician, I have several advantages over the average layperson. First, I can understand the medical jargon used by other doctors...
Nodular melanoma: 5 questions, answered
Nodular melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can mimic benign conditions, including blood blisters and acne. It’s also one of the more invasive...