texas oncology more breakthroughs. more victories
Some of our cancer centers may have important notifications found on the location page. View More Important Notifications x

In The News

Read more about what’s happening at Texas Oncology and the newest advancements in cancer care. Here are the latest Texas Oncology news and stories highlighting local practices and patients. Select a search option below by cancer center, physician, media type and year and click the search button to find your results. Items in yellow are articles and items in blue are videos.

Search Media Coverage

A Houston Doctor is Helping Develop Robots for Surgeries in Space

Publication: Houston Chronicle
03/13/2024
Dr. Ted Voloyiannis, a Houston colon and rectal surgeon at Texas Oncology, participated in a surgical simulation on the International Space Station. “Nobody ever thought, me included, that one day I would be able to do remote surgery out of this world,” Dr. Voloyiannis said. “That tells you how our capabilities and technology modes have progressed in medicine and surgery.”

 

Navigating the Mental Health Challenges of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survivorship

Publication: The American Journal of Managed Care
03/12/2024
The mental health struggle that accompanies a cancer diagnosis is real, and the burden of dealing with so many conflicting emotions falls not only on the patients but also on their caregivers, families, friends, and physicians. Kathryn E. Hudson, M.D., director of survivorship and medical oncologist at Texas Oncology-Austin Central explains the complex picture of emotions patients feel throughout their cancer journey and why mental health support should be a part of all cancer care.

Fredella Prather: Accepting the Gift of Help After a Colon Cancer Diagnosis

Publication: Austin American-Statesman
03/04/2024
Fredella Prather, 59, never had a colonoscopy until she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the fall of 2020. Her diagnosis came shortly after her best friend Trudy lost her own battle with cancer; watching Trudy’s journey gave Fredella strength to persevere and advocate for herself throughout treatment, reminding her to accept help and support from others. Fredella underwent chemotherapy and radiation followed by a robotic-assisted surgery to remove her tumor. Today, her scans are clear, and she advocates for cancer screenings with her friends and family whenever she can.

Houston Surgeon Takes Part in First-of-its-Kind Surgery in Space

Publication: InnovationMap
03/04/2024
A small surgical robot at the International Space Station completed its first surgery demo in zero gravity last week, and one of the surgeons tasked with the remote robotic operations on simulated tissue was Houston-based Theodoros Voloyiannis, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, a colorectal surgeon at Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists. 

Overcoming Scanxiety Today for a Healthier Tomorrow

Publication: Austin Medical Times, Houston Medical Times
03/01/2024
Scans are an essential part of cancer treatment and survivorship care, so recognizing and managing scanxiety is essential to help patients get the care they need. Shaun P. McKenzie, M.D., FACS, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Round Rock and South Austin and Antonio Nathan Villamor III, M.D., colorectal surgeon, Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists–Pasadena, explain that while colonoscopies often have a reputation for being stressful, painful, or embarrassing, this common procedure is usually quick and can be done under different types of anesthesia.

Cervical Cancer Survivor Amy Faulkner

Publication: Central Texas Life with Ann Harder
02/29/2024
Carl G. Chakmakjian, D.O., FACP, medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Gatesville, Mexia, and Waco, joined his longtime cervical cancer patient Amy Faulkner on Central Texas Life with Ann Harder to discuss Amy’s treatment journey over the past eight years. Amy, a high school teacher, shares how she balanced school and treatment, how her family was her best support system, and how her cancer treatment even inspired her daughter to become a nurse.

Guarding Your Heart During and After Cancer Treatment

Publication: Palestine Herald-Press
02/16/2024

Along with remarkable advancements in life-saving cancer care, medical researchers also are making major progress in mitigating the potential impact some cancer treatment can have on the heart. James Wilder, M.D., of Texas Oncology–Palestine Cancer Center, Paris, and Pittsburg, shares how cancer treatments affect the heart and how innovations like cardioprotective medications, advanced imaging techniques, precision medicine, biomarkers, and proton therapy work to mitigate this impact.

Surgical Robot Passes Space Test With Flying Colors

Publication: Nebraska Today
02/14/2024
In a test that featured half a dozen surgeons from across the United States, includingTheodoros Voloyiannis, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, a colon and rectal surgeon at Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists–Webster, a miniature robot created at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln successfully completed a surgical simulation aboard the International Space Station. It is the first surgical robot aboard the space station and one of the first times remote surgery tasks have been tested in space.

Faces of Proton Therapy

Publication: D Magazine
02/14/2024

Texas Center for Proton Therapy has been serving cancer patients in Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond for eight years, providing leading-edge patient care by not only ridding patients of cancer, but maximizing their quality of life during treatment and beyond — even decades later. 

Toby Keith Death: Austin Surgical Oncologist Speaks on Stomach Cancer

Publication: KTBC-TV (FOX, Austin)
02/08/2024
Rebecca L. Wiatrek, M.D., FACS, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists-Austin Central and Round Rock joined KTBC-TV’s (FOX, Austin) “HealthBeat” segment to discuss stomach cancer, in light of country singer Toby Keith’s recent death by this disease. According to the American Cancer Society, stomach cancer accounts for 1.5% of all new cancer cases diagnosed each year in the U.S., making this disease fairly rare, yet one to know the signs and symptoms for.