Two Onc Docs

The hosts reflect on the one year anniversary of their podcast, sharing stories of how they met and became friends. They discuss the rewarding career path to becoming an oncologist or hematologist, including the necessary steps and education required. They also explore the requirements for entering medical school and the process of completing medical school and applying for a residency program. The chapter also covers becoming an oncologist after residency, including fellowships, sub-specialization, and the job hunt. Lastly, an overview of career paths in hematology oncology, including academia, community practice, and industry roles.

This week’s episode will be focusing on one of the myeloproliferative neoplasms, Essential Thrombocythemia (ET). We will go over the important details on the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment.

The podcast delves into the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pancreatic cancer, highlighting key risk factors, genetic mutations, and diagnostic tests like CA-99 and CT scans. It discusses surgical options, adjuvant chemotherapy, and nuances of resectability considerations. The in-depth discussion covers the full-fenox chemotherapy regimen, toxicities, targeted therapies, and supportive care for different stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Discover the fascinating world of sickle cell anemia, diving into its molecular intricacies and genetic mutations. Explore different genotypes, including homozygous sickle cell disease and sickle beta thalassemia, and their associated complications. Understand the vital differences between sickle cell trait and disease, along with the health risks involved. Delve into transfusion strategies and the critical vaccines necessary for patients. Lastly, learn about the serious complications of sickle cell disease and the treatment approaches that can improve outcomes.

Explore key topics in gastric adenocarcinoma such as risk factors, diagnostic work-up, staging, and treatment options for both local and metastatic disease. Delve into HER2 and PDL1 testing, T&M staging, and treatment strategies for early-stage gastric cancer. Learn about treatment approaches for local regional disease, including the benefits of perioperative chemotherapy. Discover advanced treatment options for metastatic gastric cancer, including targeted therapies and immunotherapy tailored to individual markers and stage.

Dive into the revolutionary world of CAR-T cell immunotherapy, where T lymphocytes are genetically modified to fight cancer. Discover the intricate processes from white blood cell collection to infusion and the approved therapies for blood cancers. Important discussions highlight supportive care measures and avoidance of steroids during treatment. Unpack the key toxicities associated with this therapy, including cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, ensuring prompt medical response is crucial for patient safety.

This week’s episode will be focusing on alpha thalassemia. We will go over details on the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of alpha thalassemia variants.

Learn about the staging and treatment options for both locoregional and advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Discussions include the Child-Pugh score importance, screening serotic patients with ultrasound, key treatments for early-stage HCC, and advancements in systemic therapies for advanced HCC.

Exploring the role of HPV in head and neck cancers, the importance of knowing the anatomy for diagnosis and treatment, and various treatment approaches including chemotherapy regimens, radiation toxicities, and adjuvant therapy options.

Explore the intricacies of beta thalassemia, from its genetic origins to the differing impacts of its minor, intermedia, and major forms. Discover how hemoglobin composition plays a crucial role in diagnosis and treatment. Learn about the critical complications associated with severe cases and the importance of transfusions. The discussion even touches on the challenges of iron overload and examines rare variants of the condition, offering a comprehensive look at this fascinating topic.