Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT): Diagnosis, treatment and outlook
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a fast-growing cancerous tumor that develops in the central nervous system, located in the brain and/or spinal cord.
ATRT is an embryonal tumor. This is a brain tumor that develops from an uncontrolled growth of cells left over from fetal development. ATRT is extremely rare. It typically occurs in very young children.
To learn more, we spoke with radiation oncologist Susan McGovern...
Stage IV colorectal cancer survivor: 'MD Anderson gave me a second chance'
Jeff Williams had been an FBI agent for 22 years and was in great health when he had his first colonoscopy at age 50, which, back then, was...
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): How it works, why it’s used and what to expect
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a procedure that examines your gastrointestinal tract. It combines two imaging techniques – endoscopy and ultrasound...
Gallbladder cancer: 9 facts about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Your gallbladder is a small sac located just under your liver on the right side of your abdomen. It stores and releases bile, which aids in food digestion.
Gallbladder cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the wall of the gallbladder. This disease is uncommon, with just 5,000 to 6,000 diagnoses in the U.S. each year. Gallbladder disease is aggressive and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat...
How to navigate cancer with a history of addiction
Cancer and its treatment can affect patients physically and mentally. For patients with a history of addiction, cancer can also trigger concerns...
Triple-negative breast cancer survivor faces diagnosis with trust, joy and positivity
In May 2021, Najaah Murray noticed a lump on her left breast. At 39, she was younger than the recommended age for breast cancer screening,...
6 tips to lower your blood sugar
High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is common in people who have diabetes. A person’s blood sugar can be high when the pancreas doesn’t produce...
What is triple-positive breast cancer? 6 insights
Triple-positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that occurs when breast cancer cells use estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors...
Stage IV breast cancer survivor thankful she can watch her child grow up
Olivia Franz was 27 years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV, HER2 positive inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
In mid-October...
How to help your autistic child navigate cancer treatment
Autistic children with cancer often face unique challenges during treatment. Because autism spectrum disorder affects how a child communicates...
Healthy foods to eat during cancer treatment
If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet. But you may be wondering which foods provide the most nutrients...
6 myths about advance directives
An advance directive is a written legal document that allows you to communicate your wishes for your health care in the event you are no longer...
What is MALT lymphoma? 6 things to know
Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, or MALT lymphoma, is a slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that...
Are inverted nipples a sign of breast cancer?
Last updated Sept. 12, 2023
Most of the time, nipples on the breast point outward. Sometimes a nipple lays flat against the areola,...
Physical medicine and rehabilitation and cancer treatment: What to know
Cancer and its treatment can affect patients in many ways. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is a...
Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma: What you need to know
Central nervous system lymphoma, or CNS lymphoma, is an aggressive, rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It most often occurs when cancerous...
3 myths about anal cancer, debunked
Anal cancer is a fairly rare type of cancer that develops in the anus and anal canal. About 8,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with anal...
What is supportive care?
A cancer diagnosis can be life-changing. Many patients struggle to deal with the physical and emotional symptoms and side effects caused by...
7 chemotherapy side effects and how to manage them
Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. It’s typically used to kill cancerous cells in the body, but it can also be...
Can watery eyes be a sign of cancer?
Watery eyes, also known by the medical term epiphora, occur when excessive tears drain from the eyes.
This may seem common, but can...
Brain tumor survivor thanks MD Anderson for second chance at life
On Oct. 29, 2022, David Irwin woke up in a hospital, groggy and confused. It was his 39th birthday, but it was clear this was no celebration...
Breast cancer survivor: ‘MD Anderson is a healing mecca’
On the night of Sept. 19, 2022, J’Nan Erker visited her parents to congratulate them on a milestone event. But after the celebration, she...
Anal cancer vs. colorectal cancer: What’s the difference?
Anal cancer and colorectal cancer both develop in the lower gastrointestinal tract, but these types of cancer differ in many ways.  ...
Triple-negative breast cancer survivor finds success with integrative medicine
Jewel Johnson was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in December 2019 at age 57. She’d visited her primary care physician in Houston...
Navigating cancer as a young adult: Common issues and how to manage them
A cancer diagnosis can be scary at any age, but navigating cancer as a young adult presents unique challenges. We spoke with Wendy Griffith...
Navigating cancer as a young adult: Going away to college
Dealing with cancer as a teenager or young adult living at home can be difficult, but what happens when you go away to college? Whether you...
Breast cancer survivor: ‘MD Anderson gave me my life back’
When Lucinda Rudolph was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in April 2020 after an annual breast cancer screening, she wasn’t given much...
How long does a colonoscopy take?
A colonoscopy is the best way to screen for colorectal cancer. Everyone at average risk for the disease should start getting them at age 45...
Laryngeal cancer: What you should know
Laryngeal cancer, or larynx cancer, occurs when cancerous cells form in the larynx. The larynx, also known as the voice box, is the part of...
Working during cancer treatment: Advice to help you manage
Last updated Sept. 22, 2023
Working during cancer treatment can be challenging. What do you say to coworkers? Will you be able to take...
How often should I get a colonoscopy?
Getting a colonoscopy is important to screen for colorectal cancer. But how often you should get a colonoscopy depends on several different...
Cancer of the nose: Facts about nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
Nose and sinus cancers occur when cancerous cells form in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. These types of cancers are extremely rare...
Colorectal cancer screening: At what age should I get a colonoscopy?
Colorectal cancer screening can detect cancer early, giving you the greatest chance for successful treatment. While colonoscopy is the gold...
Stage IV colon cancer survivor grateful for MD Anderson
In January 2020, Bart Wilson had a colonoscopy after complaining of lower abdominal pain and blood in his stool. Sensing something was wrong...
Breast cancer survivor: second opinion led to correct diagnosis and treatment plan
Cancer is no stranger to Robyn Heid’s family. Robyn, the youngest of 10 children, lost a brother in 1992 to lymphoma and her father to prostate...
How to disclose your cancer diagnosis
Finding out you have cancer can be hard enough. Telling your family, friends and employer that you have cancer can add another layer of stress...
Foods to avoid with pituitary tumors
Pituitary tumors grow in the pituitary gland, the pea-sized structure just behind the eyes at the base of the brain. These tumors are almost...
How to detect colon cancer without a colonoscopy
Current screening guidelines suggest that everyone should get their first colonoscopy at age 45 if they are at average risk for colon cancer...
Stage IV colon cancer survivor and family thankful for MD Anderson
In December 2021, Luke Miller went to the emergency room because of pain in his side. An ultrasound revealed a small spot on his liver. Two...
Soft tissue sarcoma survivor’s trust in her care team was vital during treatment
After a Mardi Gras parade in February 2019, Taylor Fradella-Doucet noticed some soreness in her thigh, but she chalked it up to evidence of...
8 do’s and don’ts for pet owners during cancer treatment
Pets can provide emotional support, companionship and stress relief during cancer treatment. But cancer patients should exercise caution when...
What is neurofibromatosis type 1?
Neurofibromatosis is a collection of three different genetic disorders that cause fibrous tumors to form around nerves in the body. Neurofibromatosis...
Clear cell carcinoma survivor: Second opinion at MD Anderson saved my life
When Josephine Spence experienced a sudden, agonizing pain in her right calf, her husband and daughter urged her to go to the hospital right...
How to manage the fear of cancer recurrence
Overcoming cancer or completing treatment can make many survivors feel like they’re on top of the world. But there’s another very real, raw...
What is a colonoscopy? Your questions, answered
You’ve probably heard that a colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening and prevention. But you may still have questions...
Olfactory neuroblastoma survivor champions self-advocacy and integrative medicine
When Regina Gibbs began having nasal congestion and a sore throat in late 2020, she assumed she’d caught COVID-19. The symptoms were similar...
Is colon cancer curable?
It’s normal to feel a bit nervous after a colon cancer diagnosis. Questions about treatment options, lifestyle changes and life expectancy...