“Hey, you’re a med student. Right?” “Yes, I am. Do you need me to scrub in?” “That would be wonderful, yes! Everyone is either out on vacation or is sick. It’s just me and the resident.” “OK, I̵…
Category: Oncology/Hematology
MKSAP: 79-year-old man with headaches, nausea, visual disturbance, and difficulty speaking
Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians. A 79-year-old man is evaluated for a 2-month history of progressively worsening headaches, nausea, visual disturbance, and difficulty speakin…
How does radiation therapy work? A radiation oncologist explains.
Most patients have an idea of how surgery and chemotherapy work. It’s not difficult to picture a surgeon cutting out a cancer or a medical oncologist prescribing chemotherapy. But how does radiation therapy work? For the vast majority of patients, a…
An oncologist explains how to get your loved ones tested for cancer
I see several patients daily with cancer. Some days can be tough, but nothing compares to what they are going through. I know that. The physical anguish and toll that chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can take on the body. The burden that the diseas…
Have bad news for your patients? Mind your metaphors.
First, the cancer diagnosis. Then, the barrage of trite encouragements: You can beat this! Don’t give up. Keep fighting! It’s not only friends and family members who utter these clichés — usually at a loss of what else to say. Health care providers als…
Remove your blindfold to your patient’s pain
“We pass through the present with our eyes blindfolded … Only later when the cloth is untied can we glance at the past and find out what we have experienced and what meaning it has.” – Milan Kundera Two days ago, during a clinical skills session on lym…
Alex Trebek reminds us to go beyond fear of pancreatic cancer
The news that beloved game show host Alex Trebek has advanced stage pancreatic cancer hit his millions of fans hard this week. His illness has elicited heartbreak and support. As a clinician who treats pancreatic cancer, I anticipated the reaction that…
To parents who have lost children: We never forget your children
Her name was Callie (identifying information changed). She was four years old. She loved glitter and princesses and anything sparkly. She was affectionate and silly, and I fell hard for her. She was a patient, my patient, on the pediatric oncology unit…
Alex Trebek diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A brave journey begins.
The news that Alex Trebek has advanced stage IV pancreatic cancer has been met with an outpouring of support and good wishes, as would be expected for someone who has been a part of our lives for so many years. The fact is, pancreatic cancer is a diffi…
Never take your eyes off of a bleeding patient
“Please help me. I was brushing my teeth this morning and started bleeding a ton from my mouth.” Joe (identifying information changed) pointed to a bucket next to his bed. I was horrified to see close to two pints of blood in it. With glove…
