Cancer Talk - Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center are jointly hosting the 10th annual Spirit of EAGLES: Changing Patterns of Cancer in Native Communities conference, to be held Sept. 21–24 in Niagara Falls, New York. Rodney Haring, PhD, who serves on American Indian and Alaska Native Health Research Advisory Council, is here to discuss the conference and why do cancer disparities exist within Native American societies?

Sarcoma is a rare cancer — accounting for just 1 percent of adult cancers — and it arises from the tissues that glue the body together — bone, muscle, fat, tendons, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and joint tissue. Listen in as John Kane, III, MD, Chief, Melanoma/Sarcoma Service with the Department of Surgical Oncology, explains that if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with sarcoma — or you just need a second opinion — the sarcoma/soft tissue team are Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is here for you. Whether your tumor is malignant or benign, our experts will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets both your needs and preferences.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumor or other brain disorder, the experts at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center are here for you. Our Neuro-Oncology team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets both your needs and preferences. Whether you need a second opinion or are seeking treatment, we can help. In this segment, Robert Fenstermaker, MD, discusses Glioblastoma, brain tumors and the treatment options available at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation, in the form of waves or particles, to destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Because radiation can harm healthy cells, treatment must be carefully planned and precisely conducted to minimize side effects. Radiation therapy may be given before, during, or after other therapies in your treatment plan. It may be used alone or with other treatments to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors, prevent recurrence and relieve symptoms caused by the cancer, such as pain. Listen in as David Mattson Jr., MD., as part of our “What to Expect” series, discusses radiation therapy and what you can expect from this type of treatment.

When thinking about lung cancer and its risk factors, it's natural to immediately think about smoking. However, there are other forms of lung cancer and, with them, other risk factors. Mesothelioma is a rare, but serious, lung cancer heavily linked with exposure to asbestos. Nationally, between 2,000-3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, we see a slightly elevated number of mesothelioma patients allegedly due to the high number of industrial and factory jobs in Western New York. These jobs were even more prevalent just a few decades ago and many of them were located inside manufacturing plants that may have contained asbestos. Listen as Sai Yendamuri, MD, FACS discusses the relationship between Asbestos and Mesothelioma, and how to reduce your risk.

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive operation that uses robotic arms which serve as a surgeon's hands and eyes. Roswell Park is a leader in training surgeons from around the world in robotic surgery. Our surgeons have performed more than 4,000 operations since 2004 using the da Vinci Surgical System®. In this segment, Khurshid Guru, MD., Chair, Department of Urology; Director, Robotic Surgery at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the many benefits of robotic surgery.

There are many drugs and combinations of drugs used to fight cancer. The main goals of chemotherapy are to help control, ease symptoms of cancer, and help cure (if possible). There are many things to discuss with your doctor about planning and executing a chemotherapy plan that best suits you. Listen in as Nancy Betran, RN shares what you can expect from chemotherapy, how to prepare, tips on how to get through chemotherapy to make your chemotherapy more successful.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to patients with benign and malignant endocrine tumors and conditions affecting the endocrine system. We manage and investigate a wide spectrum of hormone-producing tumors and related diseases of the thyroid, adrenal, parathyroid, pituitary and pancreas. Tumors of these organs sometimes result in excessive and unregulated hormone secretion and require attentive diagnosis and therapy. Listen as Rajeev Sharma, MBBS, MD, discusses the role of an endocrinologist in cancer care as they collaborate with surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists to provide the best possible care for patients with endocrine tumors.

Skin cancer is very common but if detected early, nearly 100 percent of cases may be cured. Roswell Park's skin cancer team offers several highly effective therapies and will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets both your needs and preferences. In this segment, Ilene Rothman, MD., discusses the important steps you can take to prevent skin cancer; the difference between UVA and UVB rays, how to minimize your risk of skin cancer and melanoma, the precautions to take before spending a day in the sun and what type of sun screen is best.

A clinical trial is a study designed to evaluate a promising new medical treatment. It includes research done to evaluate new ways to prevent and diagnose and/or treat cancer. At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, up to 50% of our patients are eligible to enter clinical trials. Many types of treatment can be tested including: new ways of preventing cancer such as drugs, diet, and/or exercise: new drugs to treat cancer and new ways to use existing treatment such as surgery or radiation therapy. Many people worry that if they enroll in a clinical trial, they may not get the best treatment, and they wonder if they might end up with the placebo treatment that won't treat their cancer. When clinical trials identify new and effective treatments, these treatments will eventually become the new standard of care that will be offered to future patients. Today's standard treatments were researched and proven by clinical trials done in the past. In this segment, Igor Puzanov, MD, discusses what you can expect if you are considering enrolling in a clinical trial.