saw Mr. Jones in consultation for his newly diagnosed lung cancer. He came in for his first oncology consultation to find out what we would recommend for his treatment and what the future held for him. His grown up children and his wife accompanied him,

When oncologists recommend a treatment, we go by the results of trials which tell us which is the optimal treatment for that condition at that time. The gold standard for standard of care is a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

A recent study by the Cleveland Clinic found that it took an average of six to eight weeks from diagnosis to treatment in major cancer centers in the United States. The wait can be even longer if you are referred to a large cancer center from a community hospital.

Two treatments involving genetically modified (chimeric antigen receptor) CAR-T cells have been approved by the FDA in the last 2 months.

At the present time, to determine the treatment for any cancer, we identify the organ of origin, identify the nature of the cell, and in some cancers, see if targetable mutations are present for treatment

Should I go to a major Cancer Center?

That’s always a difficult question to answer. There are pros and cons.

ill chemotherapy hurt my bones?

“I have osteoporosis, and my bones area weak. I’ve heard chemotherapy hurts your bone. I don’t want to make my bones weaker.”

I’ve had this conversation a few times.

Chemotherapy does not cause or contribute to osteoporosis.

What is Hormonal Therapy?

Some cancer cells are driven by hormone stimulation. The body’s normal hormones interact with receptors on the surface of the cell membrane and send signals to the interior nucleus, telling it to divide and grow. Hormone therapy is actually Anti-Hormone therapy, which decreases that signaling pathway.