In The News

As leaders in surgical oncology care, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists in Austin work closely with local partners at St. David’s Medical Center, who recently earned the prestigious designation of The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for the Hepatobiliary-Pancreas Cancer Center of Excellence. Shaun P. McKenzie, M.D., FACS surgical specialist at Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists-Austin Central, Austin North and South Austin speaks with the Austin American-Statesman on the recognition, and how Austin surgical specialists are elevating the quality of care available to patients right here in Central Texas. Through innovative treatments and the latest research, Texas Oncology and St. David’s is focusing on combinations of therapies to get the best results. Dr. McKenzie’s, patient, Frank Chapa, has experienced this leading-edge treatment first-hand since being diagnosed with liver cancer. Now cancer free after being the first to try a new drug combination, Frank is “writing his own story.”

Blood centers across the country are dealing with a blood crisis. J. Tucker Osteen, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, Texas Oncology–Amarillo Cancer Center explains that multiple areas of medicine need blood readily available such as, trauma and cancer patients, and encourages the community to donate.

In a recent study by the National Institutes of Health, more than 70% of cancer patients surveyed reported pandemic-related mental health challenges. But there are ways to cope and Ashwani Agarwal, M.D., medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Corsicana, Allison E. Gorrebeeck M.D., Texas Oncology–Austin North Suite 300 and Kendra Burke, LCSW, Texas Oncology–Deke Slayton Cancer Center outline the specific steps you can take to protect your emotional health.

In her 20s, Kat Golden underwent cryosurgery to kill abnormal, pre-cancerous cells found during a regular pap test. At the time, Kat didn’t realize the cells showed human papilloma virus (HPV) – a precursor to cervical cancer – and as life got busy, she missed several annual well-woman appointments. Almost 30 years later, Kat was diagnosed with cervical cancer. In December 2021, Kat started treatment for curative intent with radiation and concurrent chemotherapy. Since then, Kat feels great, maintains a positive outlook on her cancer journey, and has become a strong advocate for regular screenings and increased education around cervical cancer risk factors, including HPV.

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder, affecting more than 100,000 people in the United States. For the Dallas Medical Journal, Joel Weinthal, MD, pediatric oncologist and hematologist at Texas Oncology–Medical City Dallas Pediatric Hematology– Oncology and Texas Oncology–Odessa West Texas Cancer Center takes a brief look at the current diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease, how it has evolved over the years, and shares exciting recent medical advancements that have the potential to drastically improve the quality of life for patients.

Once a leading cause of cancer death in the United States, cervical cancer diagnoses and deaths have decreased dramatically in past decades and have now leveled off, largely due to prevention and early detection through routine Pap tests. As January’s National Cervical Health Awareness Month, Lynne Knowles, M.D., FACOG, Texas Oncology–Austin Central and Texas Oncology–South Austin and Christine Lee, M.D., Texas Oncology–The Woodlands and Texas Oncology–Beaumont Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center raise awareness of good cervical health and explain the importance of early detection.

One in eight U.S. women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, but when the disease is found early, women have a 98% five-year survival rate. In Austin Monthly’s “Top Docs” January edition, Bridget O'Brien, D.O., FACS, FSSO, a breast surgical oncologist at Texas Breast Specialists– Cedar Park and Georgetown, shares tips and tricks for how to best perform a self-exam and when to bring concerns to your physician.

In 2015, Joy Brooks was diagnosed with a rare cancer called pseudomyxoma peritonei, which started in her appendix before spreading to an ovary and then throughout the peritoneum. Six months later, after visiting a specialist, she was told the cancer was too far along and was put on hospice. Being the outgoing person she is, Joy threw a "Kick the Bucket" party with all her friends and family to celebrate her life. Refusing defeat, Joy’s children searched for answers and found Rebecca L. Wiatrek, M.D., FACS of Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists-Austin Central and Round Rock. Dr. Wiatrek introduced Joy to hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) treatment, and Joy now is celebrating six years of being cancer free following a lengthy surgery and recovery process. Joy and Dr. Wiatrek share with the Austin American-Statesman the importance of HIPEC being right here in Austin and how Joy’s story is testimony to the power of divine intervention, tenacious children and a doctor that would not give up.

In November 2020, Alan Anders was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He met with Shaun McKenzie, M.D., FACS, of Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Austin Central, Austin North, and South Austin, and learned the cancer had not spread to his chest cavity, so Alan started a five-week course of chemotherapy treatment and six-week course of radiation therapy under the care of David George, M.D., Texas Oncology–Kyle and South Austin, and Ryan Tierney, M.D., Texas Oncology–South Austin. After a follow-up endoscopy showed Alan still had cancer after the treatment, Alan underwent a minimally invasive esophagectomy and received adjuvant immunotherapy to increase his chance for long-term remission. Today, Alan feels great, finds support in his community, and focuses on living in the small, meaningful moments of his life.

Sydney Townsend was diagnosed with cancer in June 2018, three months after giving birth to her first child. As a former boxer, she realized she was in the fight of her life and never gave up. With the help and guidance of, Kathryn Hudson, M.D., medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Austin Central, both were hyper-focused on doing the best they could so that Sydney could be fully present for her family. Today, Sydney is three years cancer free. In this episode of the Race to Value podcast, Sydney and Dr. Hudson share the impact of a deep and trusting relationship between patient and provider, as well as the importance of improving supportive care models for cancer patients and survivors.