The Fellow on Call: The Heme/Onc Podcast
Rouleaux University Medical Center
We quickly realized we knew very little about hematology and oncology when we started fellowship. Our goal is to bring you the fundamentals, core concepts and important management approaches in our field, driven by the latest evidence and expert opinion. In each episode, we will provide bite-sized, simplified approaches to common questions in a way that is perfect for anyone interested in hematology and oncology, from students and trainees to advanced practice providers and practicing physicians.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 11, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 169: Pancreatic Cancer Series, Pt. 4 – Metastatic Disease
A case-based tour of metastatic pancreatic cancer treatment, from gemcitabine to FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, and NALIRIFOX. The discussion covers tailoring therapy to fitness, comorbidities, toxicity, and logistics; why germline and tumor testing should happen upfront; maintenance olaparib; the breakthrough RAS inhibitor daraxonrasib; and second-line treatment sequencing.
Oct 21, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 168: Pancreatic Cancer Series, Pt. 3 – Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Disease
A case-based tour of borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Explore vascular definitions, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the CASSANDRA trial’s PAXG regimen, and why radiation remains controversial after Alliance A021501, PREOPANC-2, and LAP07. The discussion also tackles misleading restaging scans, conversion surgery, and treatment options for frail patients.
Oct 14, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 167: Pancreatic Cancer Series, Pt. 2 – Resectable Disease
Pancreatic cancer management takes center stage, from defining resectable disease and achieving an R0 margin to the Whipple procedure and the case for high-volume surgical teams. The discussion traces modern adjuvant options, compares surgery-first with neoadjuvant strategies, explores biliary stenting decisions, and previews emerging KRAS-targeted treatments.
Oct 7, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 166: Pancreatic Cancer Series, Pt. 1 – Biology, Diagnosis, and Staging
A new case of painless jaundice, weight loss, and diabetes opens a deep dive into pancreatic cancer. Explore risk factors and hereditary syndromes, how tumor location shapes symptoms, and the roles of CT, MRI, EUS, and ERCP. The discussion also covers CA 19-9 pitfalls, precursor lesions, key mutations, molecular testing, and vascular criteria that determine resectability.
Sep 23, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 165: CLL Updates Series, Pt. 2 – Relapsed/Refractory in 2026
A relapsed CLL case sets the stage for when recurrence warrants treatment and how BTK mutation testing guides therapy. The discussion explores sequencing BTK inhibitors and venetoclax, retreatment strategies, pirtobrutinib triplet data, real-world CAR T outcomes, bispecific antibodies, and promising BTK degraders.
6 snips
Sep 16, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 164: CLL Updates Series, Pt. 1 – Frontline Therapy in 2026
A newly diagnosed CLL case sets the stage for a tour of modern frontline care. The discussion covers treatment triggers, Richter transformation, FISH and IGHV risk assessment, and the shift from chemoimmunotherapy to BTK inhibitors and venetoclax-based combinations. AMPLIFY, SEQUOIA, and CLL17 take center stage, alongside toxicity tradeoffs, TP53 uncertainty, and the evolving role of MRD.
Sep 9, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 163: Head and Neck Cancer Series, Pt. 5 – Recurrent, Relapsed, and Metastatic Disease
Recurrent head and neck cancer takes center stage through a challenging laryngeal cancer case. The discussion explores distinguishing recurrence from a second primary, biopsy and biomarker workup, salvage surgery and re-irradiation, CPS-guided immunotherapy, treatment after progression, nasopharyngeal cancer’s distinct pathway, oligometastatic disease, and early supportive care.
Sep 2, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 162: Head and Neck Cancer Series, Pt. 4 – Discussion with Radiation Oncology
David Palma, a radiation oncologist and clinician-scientist at Western University, brings radiation oncology into focus for head and neck cancer. They explore treatment planning, IMRT, fractionation, HPV-positive disease, post-treatment PET scans, larynx preservation, re-irradiation, oligometastatic disease, and the ongoing proton-versus-photon debate.
Aug 19, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 161: Career Development Series- Building a Career in Clinical Research
Hanny Al-Samkari, clinical hematologist and investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. He breaks down types of clinical research and how trainees can jump in. Learn practical starts from retrospective studies to trials. Hear about daily life of a clinical investigator, training in statistics, and balancing clinical work with research.
Aug 12, 2026 • 0sec
Episode 160: Head and Neck Cancer Series, Pt. 3 – Discussion with ENT
Michael Topf, an otolaryngology professor and head and neck cancer surgeon at Vanderbilt, discusses how surgeons assess candidacy and plan treatment. Topics include oral cavity reconstruction, margin assessment, elective neck dissection, perioperative pembrolizumab, TORS for HPV-positive disease, organ preservation, salvage surgery, and the multidisciplinary team supporting patients.
