Opinion
Presence
We met in the hospital, but I was adamant to “keep” you as my patient when you got to the clinic. I made swaps to see you, to get the continuity I...
Opinion
‘How did I get cancer?’
My answers do not always satisfy their questions. Because it’s not a question seeking an informational answer. The truth is, medically and...
News
Behind the scenes of a radical new cancer cure
I’ve now treated several patients with the new cancer gene therapy called CAR-T, but there’s still a lot to learn.
Opinion
Snapshots of an oncologist
You teach about this disease in your classes and never thought it would happen to you. It started simply enough – you were bruising. Your joints...
Opinion
Curative intent and palliative care – compatible goals?
Whenever I order chemotherapy, the electronic record prompts me for my intent: Is this palliative or curative intent? I always type curative...
Opinion
Illusion of options
Advances have exploded; it’s an exciting time to be learning and practicing. And yet, we are still gently holding hands and saying that we have no...
Opinion
Whose needs come first – the patient’s or the trial’s?
“Not eligible.” The two words that took away everything reverberated in her mind.
Opinion
Dear Marisol
I know you don’t remember me. We met when you were just a baby. Now that you’re older, I want to tell you a story about your mom you may not know...
Opinion
Blast crisis, no crisis? Caring for the apathetic patient
There’s no right or wrong or sensible reaction to cancer. There’s only a swirl of messy, overwhelming feelings. It’s trying to bring effective...
Opinion
Doctor, will you please lie to me?
Looking for hope in the face of terrible news is a common reaction. It’s natural. We tend to be optimists, and we look for a silver lining. We...
Opinion
Charity case
I deliver a lot of bad news in oncology, but I usually get to blame the disease. What I hate perhaps even more is the other type of bad news: We...
Opinion
Aftermath
It was Marty who showed me, early in my career, what happens after leukemia. I frequently see related issues in my patients now, and I credit...
Opinion
Should doctors disclose preliminary results?
False alarms are terrifying, and false reassurance is cruel, yet all the while, excessive waiting can feel excruciating.
Opinion
Gatekeeper
Many people with metastatic cancer say they wouldn’t want invasive treatment near the end of life. But how do we know when it’s the end?
Opinion
Information overload
Once a patient hears “cancer,” they often stop listening. We could go on, spelling out the next steps and treatment options. But patients usually...