Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind

Movember is an important event focussing on men's health, including cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer diagnosed in Australia and the second most common in American men. To highlight this and explore the pioneering treatments available, Michael and Josh interviewed the esteemed Dr Megan Crumbaker. Megan is a medical oncologist specialising in genitourinary cancer and works at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and St. Vincents Health in Sydney, Australia. Dr Crumbaker completed her undergraduate at Rice University, Texas, before completing her medical training in Sydney and a PhD in prostate genomics through The Garvan Research Institute.We discussed all things prostate oncology with Megan, including research, career, pioneering treatment options and all things prostate cancer. These treatment pearls are not to be missed by any budding oncologist!For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected]: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After looking at early upper gastrointestinal cancers last week, Michael and Josh take the logical next step and discuss the management of their metastatic cousins, the most unsavoury collection since Cassius and Brutus teamed up to assassinate their erstwhile friend Julius. And while our weapons against these cancers are limited, that will not stop our intrepid podcasting pair from taking a deep, rambling and irreverent dive into the dirty details. Friends! Oncologists! Countrymen! Lend us your ears!Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):TOGA: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(10)61121-X/fulltextCHECKMATE 649: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00797-2/fulltextCHECKMATE 648: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2111380For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we CROSS into another episode, Michael and Josh explore the world of early gastric cancer and esophageal cancer. Interestingly both these cancers have a higher incidence in Asia and North Africa. Your podcast hosts soon find early detection of these cancers can be difficult, often leading to treatment challenges not seen by other cancer streams, such as bowel or breast cancer. Unlike previous episodes, FLOT4 looks at perioperative chemotherapy and its benefits over the previous incumbent chemotherapy. Before we give anything more away, make sure to listen to this episode to understand the gold standard of care for these cancers. Likes to the trials below!Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):CROSS: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(15)00040-6/fulltexFLOT4: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32557-1/fulltextFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the highs of their special interview with Dr Belinda Yeo on all things breast cancer, Josh and Michael crash back to their usual programming with a banter and dad-joke-filled journey through the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. A notoriously insidious disease, ovarian cancer is responsible for not just significant mortality but soul-crushing morbidity as well. However, for some very special people, ovarian cancer does not stop them from reaching their goals, up to and including completing a triathlon! Listen on for the full, inspiring story!Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):PAOLA-1: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1911361AURELIA: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2013.51.4489Leslie Medley-Russell, Ovarian Cancer Survivor: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/two-time-ovarian-cancer-survivor--never-give-up.h00-159148401.htmlFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate the end of breast cancer awareness month, Michael and Josh are joined by Dr Belinda Yeo, an experienced oncologist specialising in treating breast cancer. Belinda trained at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia, followed by the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She now works at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute as a Clinician Scientist with a specific interest in breast cancer and the prestigious Austin Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.We discussed all things breast oncology with Belinda, including career path, research, patient-centred care and, of course, all the breast cancer treatment pearls for any budding oncologist!This is one episode not to miss!For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh and Michael take a step down from the dizzying heights of HER-2 positive breast cancer treatment and crash back to earth to metastatic pancreatic cancer, a topic that remains an unconquered Everest, mocking oncologists like that one kid who always stole Josh's lunch money in school... Don't worry; there will be no airing of childhood trauma here. Just two oncologists discussing treatments and casting a hopeful eye towards the future.Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):ACCORD-11: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1011923MPACT: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1304369For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of their HER2 breast cancer dive, Josh and Michael explore the optimistic world of metastatic breast cancer. Once a desolate space with limited options, HER2 metastatic breast cancer represents the frontier of targeted therapy, like the industrial age or landing on the moon. While neither Josh nor Mikey have been to the moon, these researchers have landed among the stars bringing hope and effective treatments to an aggressive tumour time that a decade ago would have had a very different story. Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):CLEOPATRA: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1413513Destiny-Beast03: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2115022For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh and Michael begin their second two-part expedition, this time exploring HER2-positive breast cancer, an area of oncology that has been much like your favourite Instagram or TikTok celebrity: at the forefront of the hottest new trends. Neither Josh nor Mikey have a favourite Instagram or TikTok celebrity because they are old and out of touch, but the shifts in HER2-positive breast cancer may be their favourite oncological TikTok celebrity. For the reasons behind such a stretched analogy, listen on!Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):NeoSphere: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(11)70336-9/fulltextKATHERINE: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1814017For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh and Michael once again tackle immunotherapy in its application to metastatic urothelial cancer. Some say immunotherapy should be used up front. Others say that it should be used when all previous treatments have failed. And still, others are wondering about that Richard Nixon/Spock impression from last week and how it could be topped. For answers to all those questions and more, you'll have to listen on...Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):JAVELIN-100: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2002788KEYNOTE 045: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1613683For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extraordinary episode, Josh and Michael continue their journey to the earth's centre and the unknown with more European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) highlights. Since last week, Michael has realised that his French needs a bit of work, so they stuck to their guns and avoided google translate. Josh feels they should work on their Spanish to prepare for ESMO in Madrid in 2023. But before these dashing young Doctors get too excited for next year, more pivotal studies must be reported for your enjoyment! This episode focuses on colorectal, and Michael dabbles in some genitourinary and skin research.Find us @InquisitiveOnc for fun oncology facts and links to the latest episodes!All abstracts discussed in this episode are available from https://oncologypro.esmo.org. ESMO membership may be required.Colorectal: FRESCO-2, NICHE-2, MOUNTAINEER, CAIRO5Genitourinary: RADICALS-HD, COSMIC 313;Skin: SWOG1801; Neoadjuvant Cemiplimab (NEJM)For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special episode, Josh and Michael hope to fulfil their fantasy of attending the European Society of Medical Oncology's (ESMO) yearly Congress, where they rub elbows with oncology's biggest movers and shakers; learn about the latest groundbreaking studies; and, in Michael's case, speak French with an accent lifted from a Monty Python sketch. The fact that they were stuck at home for the entire conference won't stand in the way of them from highlighting some of the best, most exciting studies presented in Paris.Find us @InquisitiveOnc for fun oncology facts and links to the latest episodes!All abstracts discussed in this episode are available from https://oncologypro.esmo.org. ESMO membership may be required.Lung: ADAURA, CODEBREAK 200, INCREASE, IPSOS, Checkmate 816, APPLEBreast: BELLINI, TROPiCS-02Upper GI: LEAP-002, PRODIGE-65-UCGI-36-GEMPAX, RLY-4008For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Fanfare theme courtesy of StudioKolomna: https://pixabay.com/users/studiokolomna-2073170/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Hepatobiliary cancer, the final frontier." So begins our double-headed sojourn into two of the most challenging to-treat cancers many oncologists will encounter, but one that ends on a surprisingly positive note. Also, there's a cameo that absolutely no one will see coming...Links to studies discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):TOPAZ-1: https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDoa220001IMbrave150: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1915745Barcelona Liver Cancer Staging: https://els-jbs-prod-cdn.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/cms/attachment/fb5943f9-9201-4128-848a-626d744c651f/gr1_lrg.jpgSource: Reig M, et al. "BCLC strategy for prognosis prediction and treatment recommendation: the 2022 Update." Journal of Hepatology. November 2021. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2021.11.018Art courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 5, Michael and Josh dive into the complex world of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. While early-stage breast cancer boasts fantastic cure rates many other cancers can only dream of, this evolving space must contend with multiple players, including aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen and now abemaciclib (CDK 4/6 inhibitor). How best to approach adjuvant endocrine therapy is difficult, but Michael and Josh are on the case!Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):SOFT/TEXT: Prudence et al. (2018): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1803164MonarchE: Johnston et al. (2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32954927/For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four episodes already! How time flies when you're having fun. In this episode, Josh and Michael discuss metastatic lung cancer, an area of oncology where a survival benefit of a few months generates cheers, tears and standing ovations. So what happens when studies start to improve patients' outcomes by YEARS? I don't know, but there were almost certainly minds that were thoroughly blown. Join us for this most optimistic of episodes!Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):KEYNOTE-189: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1801005FLAURA: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1913662For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Josh discuss the scourge that is metastatic mesothelioma. This genuinely awful disease continues to inflict significant mortality and morbidity on patients exposed to asbestos worldwide. One of our more grim episodes thus far, but never fear; we have still crammed in more dad jokes than one can wave a bag of chemotherapy at.Links to papers discussed in this episode (subscription may be required):Vogelzang et al (2003): https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2003.11.136CHECKMATE-743: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)32714-8/fulltextFor more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Editor's Note: the background noise is wind from a storm that hit Melbourne on the day of recording. It is not a cat being put through a blenderDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh and Michael discuss the incredible story of the treatment of metastatic melanoma, the immunotherapy revolution, and why this relegated a perfectly decent targeted therapy to second place on the podium. Join us for a titanic battle on a par with Macbeth vs Macduff, Rocky Balboa vs Apollo Creed, or Regina George vs that bus...Links to papers discussed (subscription may be required):CHECKMATE-067: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1910836COMBI-D: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1904059For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] art courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In their inaugural episode, Michael and Josh discuss one of the most common cancers a budding oncologist will encounter: prostate cancer. But is there more to this cancer than meets the eye? Will they make sense of the whole confusing mess? Is this whole podcasting thing way too much for them to handle? Listen on to find out!Links to papers discussed (subscription may be required):CHAARTED: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1503747ENZAMET: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1903835For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] art courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of AlexiAction: https://pixabay.com/users/alexiaction-26977400/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer is a fascinating but rapidly evolving discipline - it's a full-time job just keeping up to date. In this podcast, Dr Michael Fernando and Dr Joshua Hurwitz explore the latest trials, research, and practice-changing updates, as well as regular interviews with renowned oncology specialists. Ideal for those starting their training journey, established specialists and anyone interested in medical science, oncological practice, or terrible jokes. Preferably all three.For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.comFind us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at [email protected] courtesy of Taryn SilverMusic courtesy of Music Unlimited: https://pixabay.com/users/music_unlimited-27600023/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.