City of Hope Radio

A relatively new technique could make breast cancer patients post-surgery lives much easier. Intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT, is a new form of radiation therapy that replaces weeks of traditional radiation therapy. It’s administered in a single dose directly at the tumor site – and given at the same time as the surgery. For most patients, they will not require the normal daily radiation treatments that normally require six to seven weeks. It allows a woman to get her radiation and her surgery in one day. In this segment, Dr. Veronica Jones shares the latest advances in treatment for breast cancer with our clinical trials of intraoperative radiation therapy and cryoablation, and by having world-renowned scientists, physicians and treatment manufacturing facilities working side by side at our main campus, we’re able to quickly turn breakthrough discoveries into experimental treatments.

Mammograms have long been the gold standard for breast cancer detection, but they're not perfect. They can be less effective in women with dense breasts, which contain more glandular and connective tissue than fat. Many states now require women to be notified when dense tissue is seen on a mammogram. Some states also require supplemental screening, like ultrasound, even if the mammogram found no cancer. In this segment, Dr. Lusi Tumyan discusses breast density as a risk for breast cancer and the latest screening indications for women with dense breasts.

Triple-negative breast cancer represents approximately 15 percent of all breast cancers, but it is diagnosed at a higher rate in patients with hereditary (particularly BRCA1-gene associated) breast cancer, as well as among African-American women.In this segment, Yuan Yuan, MD., Ph.D. discusses this aggressive form of breast cancer and how City of Hope is leading the field in advancements for this type of cancer and how there are several innovative clinical trials both for newly diagnosed and Stage 4 triple negative breast cancer patients that play into efforts going on nationally to address these difficult to treat tumors.

If you've been diagnosed with a head and neck cancer, talk to us about treatment options. At City of Hope, our dedicated team of experts take a patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating this group of cancers.In this segment, Dr. Thomas Gernon discusses the latest advances in head and neck cancers and the treatment options available at City of Hope.

Patients with prostate cancer that hasn't spread beyond the gland itself have a broad range of treatment options – including surgery, radiation therapy and active surveillance. However, with those treatment options come certain side effects such as incontinence, bowel function and erectile dysfunction.Many men will have ED occasionally, and this is not cause for any worry. However, if ED becomes a consistent problem, it can cause emotional distress, impact your quality of life and may be an indicator of an underlying health issue. If you are suffering from ED, talk to us. Our experts at City of Hope have many effective treatment options available for you.In this segment, Jonathan N. Warner, MD., discusses treatments for erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and, in most cases, it is not life-threatening nor does it spread to other parts of the body. The exception is melanoma, the rarest and most aggressive form of skin cancer. Cutaneous lymphoma (also called lymphoma of the skin) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the skin. There are approximately 72,580 cases of NHL diagnosed each year, only 5 percent of which are skin lymphomas, according to the American Cancer Society.According to the American Cancer Society, more than 5 million nonmelanoma skin cancers (basal and squamous cell cancers) are diagnosed each year, while melanoma will be diagnosed in approximately 76,000 people. Although melanoma is potentially deadlier, if caught and treated early, it has a nearly 100 percent cure rate.Christiane Querfeld, MD, PhD discusses Melanoma and Cutaneous lymphoma, and some important tips to help reduce your risk.

Cancer of the prostate gland is a serious health risk for men. In fact, nearly 240,000 American men yearly will be diagnosed with it. The good news is that prostate cancer is survivable, especially if it is detected early, before it can spread.City of Hope is a leader in the use of robotic-assisted prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer; our experienced team have performed thousands of robotic prostatectomies since the program's start in 2003, more than any other medical center in the Western U.S. and second in the nation.In this segment, Dr. Bertram Yuh, associate clinical professor in Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, at City of Hope, discusses the latest advances in Robotic Surgery for Complex Prostate Cancer.

Myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer, accounting for around one percent of blood cancer cases. It develops in plasma cells, white blood cells that grow in bone marrow. Myeloma most often affects the aged — most cases are diagnosed in people age 65 and older. Although myeloma grows within bone, it is not considered bone cancer.Listen as Gargi Upadhyaya, MD discusses multiple myeloma and the treatment options at City of Hope.

The Department of Pathology at City of Hope is recognized worldwide for its diagnostic excellence. Laboratories lead by renowned investigators and equipped with highly sophisticated technologies enable us to provide physicians and their patients with accurate diagnoses of even the most elusive diseases.Pathology and radiology form the core of cancer diagnosis, yet most patients never see the Pathologist. With the enormous technological advances currently occurring in both fields, the opportunity has emerged to develop an integrated diagnostic reporting system that supports both specialties and, therefore, improves the overall quality of patient care.Listen as Sophia Apple, MD discusses the relationship between the Radiologist and the Pathologist and how the teams at City of Hope work together to give patients the best standard of care to assure a proper diagnosis.

Clinical practice guidelines can be potentially valuable tools for clinicians, however, these can also hinder individualized medicine. Standardization, the other side of the same coin, can affect many areas of medicine with the growth of evidence-based medicine and efforts at measuring, reporting, and improving quality.In this fascinating segment, Dr. Vijay Trisal, associate clinical professor in Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery at City of Hope, discusses and debates the merits of cookbook medicine vs standardization, and how health care providers must be fluid and be able to take those standards and utilize them to create personalized treatments for the unique conditions of their patients.

Surgery is a common treatment option for most breast cancer patients. Depending on the tumor’s size, location and spread, the procedure performed may be a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor, surrounding breast tissue and possibly nearby lymph nodes) or a mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts, along with nearby lymph nodes).City of Hope offers the latest advances in surgical approaches to treating breast cancer. Our leading-edge technology and our surgeons' expertise means you can achieve outstanding outcomes that are not possible elsewhere. This includes breast cancer surgeries with fewer and smaller incisions, reducing discomfort and recovery time. Our minimally-invasive approach also allows patients to be treated sooner with post-surgery treatments, such as follow-up radiation and drug therapy.Listen as Amy Polverini, MD discusses your Surgical Options for Breast Cancer to find the one that best suits your cancer and your lifestyle.

Every year, more than 60,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with endometrial/uterine cancer. At City of Hope, we treat you as a valued individual. Our entire uterine/endometrial cancer team works together to bring you advanced surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and supportive care options that will deliver the best outcome for you.On this segment, Mehdi M. Kebria, M.D. discusses the use of robotic surgery in management of gynecologic cancers.

An accurate and thorough diagnosis is important so that your breast cancer team can develop the best treatment plan for you. At City of Hope, your care team will utilize the most state-of-the art breast imaging technologies and laboratory techniques to guide your personalized treatment.In this segment Dr. Dortha Chu, assistant clinical professor in Division of Surgical Oncology at City of Hope, discusses how you can get a personalized treatment for breast cancer that fits your cancer and lifestyle.

Radiation treatment plays an important role in most breast cancer patients, particularly those seeking breast conserving therapy. Radiation is also used in patients with high risk disease after a mastectomy.At City of Hope, our image-driven planning using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans means that radiation is accurately delivered to tumor sites, increasing the therapy's effectiveness while reducing exposure to normal tissue.Our radiation oncologists also work closely with breast surgeons and medical oncologists (who prepare and deliver drug therapies) to plan and provide customized care to each patient for optimal outcomeListen as Daniel H. Kim, MD explains that for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, City of Hope's Breast Cancer Program provides state-of-the-art surgical, medical and radiation therapies.

Every year, more than 60,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with endometrial/uterine cancer. At City of Hope, we treat you as a valued individual. Our entire uterine/endometrial cancer team works together to bring you advanced surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and supportive care options that will deliver the best outcome for you.Listen as Thanh H. Dellinger, MD discusses the symptoms and treatments available for endometrial cancer at City of Hope.

Stereotactic radiotherapy is used to treat tumors in the lung without having to make an opening in the skin. The treatment machine directs beams of high-dose radiation directly to the area in the lung that needs to be treated. The radiation beams are silent and invisible.Radiotherapy can play a pivotal role in the treatment of lung cancer of all stages and can result in long-term curative outcomes for patients.Listen in as Helen Chen, MD explains how Stereotactic radiotherapy is used to help treat lung cancer.

An accurate and thorough diagnosis is important so that your breast cancer team can develop the best treatment plan for you. At City of Hope, your care team will utilize the most state-of-the art breast imaging technologies and laboratory techniques to guide your personalized treatment.Listen as Monique White-Dominguez, D.O. discusses the latest advances in breast cancer screening to give women the best chance to catch cancer early when treatment can be most effective.

Cancer treatments are becoming more powerful, less toxic and increasingly individualized by patient and by tumor. Researchers are enlisting the immune system in the body's fight against cancer's many forms.Listen as Dr George Hajaar, oncologist with City of Hope, discusses how years-long research projects are maturing into human clinical trials of new targeted cancer therapies.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), more and more new communication technology is being used to provide cancer care. Web-based tools, wearable technology, and smartphones let many people engage with each other and share information. Medical institutions and individual health care professionals are also developing ways to use this technology to improve the quality of medical care.Dr.Mina Sedrak's research focuses on studying the mechanisms by which social media and mobile technology can enhance individual and population health behaviors and outcomes in cancer care.

Many people mistakenly think that palliative care is the same as hospice care. It isn’t. Palliative care is medical care focusing on people who are seriously ill. It’s meant to help patients get relief from their symptoms, pain and stress; whatever their diagnosis.Listen as Dr. Stefanie Mooney from City of Hope, answers questions about how providers, caregivers and patients can maximize the quality of life for themselves and loved ones through Palliative Care and managing those cancer symptoms .

Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that develop in your body’s connective tissues, including bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels and lymph vessels. Sarcomas are typically divided into two main types, bone cancer (osteosarcoma) and soft tissue sarcoma, the latter of which has over 50 classifications, depending on tissue type affected.Listen in as Brooke Crawford, MD explains that at City of Hope, our dedicated team of health professionals take a patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating sarcomas, which include tumors and cancers of the bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, nerves, blood and lymph vessels, deep skin tissue, joint tissue.

At City of Hope we’ve created an emotional safety net for helping patients and loved ones cope with the stress and emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis and course of treatment. Boosting the spirit and sustaining hope is critical, so we reach out with personalized care, compassion and support for patients, caregivers and family alike.Just getting through treatment can be draining for everyone involved. Handling everyday personal needs, answering others' questions about a diagnosis, and dealing with work or home life can suddenly become exhausting hurdles.Listen in as Kimberly Shapiro, MD explains that anger, depression, and isolation can all be part of the emotional roller coaster that patients and caregivers are enduring.

City of Hope researchers are working to uncover how cancer stem cells grow, and what can be done to stop them from multiplying. To figure that out, they study how certain proteins interact with a cell’s genetic material — and how that affects the complex processes that make cancer cells divide.Listen in as Leo David Wang, M.D., Ph.D. explains how our team at City of Hope, comprises stem cell biologists, cancer researchers and clinicians, nanotechnologists, bioinformaticians and graduate students all working toward a common goal: targeting cancer stem cells to suppress tumor formation and enhance patient survival.

Led by pathologists renowned for diagnostic excellence, the Department of Pathology at City of Hope combines state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with the latest diagnostic techniques and advanced instrumentation with superior investigative skills to accurately and rapidly identify even the rarest and most complex diseases.Listen in as Sue Chang, M.D explains how City of Hope experts provide comprehensive services, from initial diagnosis to monitoring of prognostic indicators throughout the treatment process.

If you suffer from overactive bladder there are some lifestyle changes that you could make which may help to alleviate your symptoms.  My guest today is Dr. Seth Cohen he is a uro/gynocologist at city of hope.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and it can take several forms, most of which are not life-threatening and typically do not spread to other parts of the body.The exception is melanoma, the rarest and most aggressive form of skin cancer. But even melanoma can have a nearly 100 percent cure rate, if it's caught and treated early.Listen in as Dr. Kim Margolin discusses melanoma and the latest advances in treatment at City of Hope.

They may not talk about it, but women with cancers in the pelvic region, such as cervical cancer, bladder cancer and uterine cancer, often have problems controlling their urine, bowel or flatus. Although they may feel isolated, they're far from alone.Pelvic floor disorders do not need to cripple a woman’s quality of life. Further, surgery isn't the only solution. Many pelvic floor disorders can be successfully treated with diet modification, medication, and behavioral and physical therapy.Listen in as Seth A. Cohen, MD discusses the ABC's of Pelvic Floor Survivorship.

HIPEC, or heated intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy, is an alternative method of delivering chemotherapy. Instead of infusing the medications through a vein, the chemotherapy is circulated in the abdominal cavity at the time of surgery. This allows direct treatment of certain cancers which have spread throughout the abdomen.At City of Hope, our peritoneal surface malignancy team consists of a multidisciplinary group of experts in the field. We are one of the busiest HIPEC centers in Southern California, and continue to push the envelope in treating these difficult cancers. The team will evaluate your case and present options. Not everyone will be a candidate for HIPEC and aggressive surgery, but other treatments may be available.Byrne Lee, M.D is here to explain how studies are showing that HIPEC with aggressive surgery improves survival in some cancers when compared to chemotherapy alone.

Palliative care is care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat, as early as possible, the symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment, in addition to the related psychological, social, and spiritual problems. A palliative care specialist is a health professional who specializes in treating the symptoms, side effects, and emotional problems experienced by patients. The goal is to maintain the best possible quality of life.Listen in as Benjamin Cahan , MD explains that palliative care is given throughout a patient’s experience with cancer. It should begin at diagnosis and continue through treatment, follow-up care, and the end of life.

Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition that gives a person a higher risk of cancers of the digestive tract, gynecologic tract, and other organs. People with Lynch syndrome also have an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, upper urinary tract, brain, and skin. Additionally, women with this disorder have a high risk of cancer of the ovaries and lining of the uterus (the endometrium).Listen in as Thomas P. Slavin, MD explains that with Lynch Syndrome it's all about early detection.

With conventional therapy, radiation is delivered in relatively small doses over the course of several weeks, with patients receiving daily treatments during that time. With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), physicians are able to deliver a greater combined dose of radiation over the course of fewer treatments. SBRT has shown dramatically better outcomes than conventional radiation therapy.Radiation therapy plays a pivotal role in the treatment of lung cancer of all stages and can result in long-term curative outcomes for patients with early stage disease.Listen in as Sagus Sampath, MD discusses the advantages of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy to treat cancer.

Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. City of Hope is a recognized leader in lung cancer research. There is extensive collaboration between lung cancer clinicians and researchers to develop and evaluate new therapies designed to improve survival and quality of life outcomesListen in as Ravi Salgia, M.D., Ph.D. explains all of the new therapies available if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

An accurate and thorough diagnosis is important so that your breast cancer team can develop the best treatment plan for you. At City of Hope, your care team will utilize the most state-of-the art breast imaging technologies and laboratory techniques to guide your personalized treatment. Some women with breast cancer will need radiation, often in addition to other treatments.Listen in as Nayana L Vora, MD, discusses radiation therapy for breast cancer and how women can benefit from the various types of radiation that would best suit their type of cancer. 

Although chemotherapy can be effective in treating cancer, it can also exact a heavy toll on a patient’s health. One impressive alternative researchers have found is in the form of a vaccine. A type of immunotherapy, one part of the vaccine primes the body to react strongly against a tumor; the second part directly attacks the tumor itself. This double-pronged approach could be both more powerful against cancer and far less toxic to the body than traditional chemotherapy.Don J. Diamond, Ph.D. is here to explain the cancer vaccine.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become porous and weak. As they lose strength, they are more likely to break. Bones in the spine, hip, wrist, pelvis, and upper arm are particularly at risk of fracture in people with osteoporosis.Azar Khosravi, MD, an Endocrinologist with City of Hope, is here to talk about the causes and the treatments of osteoporosis, and some lifestyle approaches for preventing bone loss.

Microvascular reconstruction is a surgical procedure that involves moving a composite piece of tissue from another part of the body to the head and neck.Because of the availability of microvascular surgical procedures at City of Hope, defects caused by cancer, congenital anomalies, or acquired disorders can now be reconstructed successfully.Thomas J. Gernon, MD, is here to explain microvascular surgical procedures, and how at City of Hope you always feel comfortable and informed.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, or if you've been told you're at high risk for developing the disease, talk to us. It's important to learn about your options and take action right away.Our world-class team of specialists can answer your questions, address your concerns, and deliver a personalized treatment plan with the most innovative, cutting-edge therapies available anywhere.Susanne Gray Warner, MD, is here to discuss your options when you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

At City of Hope, we understand that the emotional effects of a life-altering illness are diverse and personal for patients, friends, partners and family members. So we created the Department of Supportive Care Medicine as an island of kindness, compassion and comprehensive information to help you manage this unpredictable journey.The degree to which people cope effectively with stressful life events can be an essential aid in healing and wellbeing. Marissa A. Cangin, Psy.D. is here today to give great advice about how to handle those stressful life events.

As many as 20% of the people who die from lung cancer in the United States every year do not smoke or use any other form of tobacco.This translates to about 16,000 to 24,000 Americans every year. In fact, if lung cancer in non-smokers had its own separate category, it would rank among the top 10 fatal cancers in the United States.It is true that staying away from tobacco is the most important thing any one can do to lower the risk of getting lung cancer. But there are also other risk factors that may contribute to lung cancer in non smokers.Shamnuga Subbiah, M.D., medical oncologist at City of Hope, is here to educate the public about other risk factors for lung cancer and what changes can be made to lower the risk even further.

Age is the single greatest risk factor overall for cancer; our chances of developing the disease rise steeply after age 50.Geriatric oncology is a branch of medicine that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the elderly, usually defined as aged 65 and older.An older patient with cancer will benefit from the expertise of a Geriatric Oncologist. Older patients have unique needs because of their often complex medical histories.Daneng Li, MD, is here to discuss how City of Hope elevates awareness about the needs of the senior population and possible cancer risks.

Metabolic bone diseases are disorders of bone strength, and can sometimes be caused by abnormalities of minerals. Often patients undergoing cancer treatments may have some side effects involving their bone density.  City of Hope is opening a Metabolic Bone Disease Center to offer evaluation and treatment of patients with metabolic bone diseases. Osteoporosis patients will also find the help they are looking for at City of Hope. Azar Khosravi, MD, endocrinologist at City of Hope, is here to help you better understand Metabolic Bone Diseases and how City of Hope is there to help you to care for your bones.  

If you have been diagnosed with gastric cancer or a precancerous condition in the stomach, talk to us.City of Hope is a recognized leader in stomach cancer treatment and research. It is ranked as one of America's Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report with numerous physicians recognized as Top Cancer Doctors by Newsweek.City of Hope's gastric cancer patients receive unsurpassed diagnostic, treatment and supportive care from our multidisciplinary team, which includes gastroenterologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, supportive care specialists and other health professionals — all working together to bring the most advanced, innovative and effective therapies.Our primary goal is to ensure that every patient and their loved ones can live a life free of gastric cancer. Yanghee Woo, MD is here to help you learn how City of Hope can help.