In The News

Helen Dinkelspiel Eshed, M.D., Texas Oncology-Austin Central and South Austin was featured in various videos on SurvivorNet discussing the ovarian cancer landscape. Dr. Eshed joined SurvivorNet and dove into the evolving ovarian cancer treatment space discussing topics from the latest guidance on PARP inhibitors, how the new drug Elahere is providing hope to cancer patients, folate receptor⁠–⁠alpha positive ovarian cancer, mirvetuximab soravtansine and more.

Robert L. Coleman, M.D., FACOG, FACS, Texas Oncology-The Woodlands spoke with Targeted Oncology about the NOVA trial, how it improves survival in BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer and the real-world findings from this trial, which evaluated second-line maintenance niraparib in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Heading back to school with all of the stresses that come with managing a cancer diagnosis is a daunting challenge. No matter if you’re a student or parental guardian of someone in school, learn how proper planning and support can help make it possible to create the right balance between successfully continuing one’s studies and undergoing cancer treatment.

Robert L. Coleman, M.D., FACOG, FACS, Texas Oncology-The Woodlands spoke with Targeted Oncology about the effect of maintenance therapy with niraparib on ovarian cancer. In the article, Dr. Coleman discusses the research he presented at ASCO, which found that niraparib (Zejula) as a maintenance therapy improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of postoperative residual disease or biomarker status.

Texas Oncology has opened a new 50,000-square-foot cancer center in Amarillo, expanding the capacity of the practice to meet the growing need for cancer care in the Texas Panhandle region. The general design scheme was inspired by Amarillo’s unique landscape, and materials were selected for their visible texture and linearity to evoke the layers and strata visible in nearby Palo Duro Canyon.

David Mocio was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma in 2015 and receives immunotherapy every 28 days. David spoke with the Waco Tribune-Herald saying he credits the treatment with saving his life, and studies have shown immunotherapy to be more effective than chemotherapy or radiation therapy against melanoma. Dr. Carlos Encarnacion, Texas Oncology-Hamilton and Horizon Circle shared with the outlet that immunotherapy is one of the biggest advancements in oncology in recent years, and the number of patients treated with immunotherapy has grown exponentially in the past decade.

Men age 65 and older account for about 60% of all diagnosed prostate cancer cases. Proton therapy, an advanced form of radiation treatment, can treat new or recurrent prostate cancers with minimal exposure to healthy tissue. Texas Center for Proton Therapy offers a new imaging modality known as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET to detect this disease in the earlier stages.

For many people, summertime means firing up their grills and dusting off family-favorite summer recipes. To help Texans make healthy choices this summer, Athira Unnikrishnan, M.D., Texas Oncology–Austin Midtown, shares tips for mitigating cancer risks associated with grilled meats as well as examples of nutrient-rich, seasonal foods that contribute to overall health.

Having a good sleep routine, also known as sleep hygiene, is an important habit to establish. And if sleeping - or the lack thereof - is becoming a concern, always speak with one's physician on determining the causes of sleep problems and ways to sleep better at night. Rebecca Fisher, M.D., neuro oncologist at Texas Oncology–Austin Brain Tumor Center, addresses the importance of a good night's sleep and challenges cancer patients face when it comes to sleep.

David Mocio, former naval pilot and 7-time marathoner was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma in 2015 and receives immunotherapy every 28 days, which has halted his cancer from spreading further, since his diagnosis. With June being the cross-section of Men’s Health Month and Immunotherapy Awareness Month, David and Dr. Carlos Encarnacion, Texas Oncology-Hamilton and Horizon Circle joined KXXV-TV (ABC, Waco) to raise awareness about taking care of yourself, not ignoring any glaring symptoms and provided viewers with insights on proper screenings.