Oncology/Surgical Oncology

Scientists Pair Blood Test and Gene Sequencing to Detect Cancer Researchers have long postulated that DNA could confirm cancer’s presence. New research from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center validates that theory, revealing cancer-specific DNA alterations. Read more about the research and the role gene-sequencing might play in diagnosis and treatment.

2000th Whipple at Johns Hopkins Medicine
Dr. John Cameron performed his 2000th Whipple surgery on March 31. The Whipple—also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy—is one of few treatment options for deadly pancreatic cancer. Watch one of Dr. Cameron’s lucky patients talk about his work and legacy.

The road to healing
At Johns Hopkins, treating breast cancer is a team sport. Surgical oncologist Mehran Habibi meets weekly with medical oncologist Danijela Jelovac and other experts to customize treatments, applying knowledge of both field and patient to each case.

Combination epigenetic therapy clinical trial results
Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center researchers announced some of the first promising results for epigenetic therapy.

How the epigenetics of cancer may yield clues to treatment
How can two similar patients with the same diagnosis get the same treatment but experience vastly different outcomes? Genetic research is seeking answers to that very question…answers that may enable oncologists to personalize cancer treatment to make it more effective.

A direct hit to the liver tumor
Inoperable liver tumors aren't insurmountable for interventional radiology director Jeff Geschwind. He and his team constantly pursue new nonsurgical treatment options for treating liver cancer.

Hats off to CAPS
Hopkins gastroenterologist Mimi Canto continues to expand her milestone study of pancreatic cancer screening (CAPS, for short). Having grown from a local to a multicenter study, the next step is to include international partners.

Burn, baby, burn
The hype about HIPEC is in the hope. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy—used by surgical oncologists in 30 cases so far—is showing incredible results for late-stage abdominal cancer patients.

Antibiotic slows growth of bladder, breast cancer cells
Nitroxoline—commonly prescribed for urinary tract infections—holds promise in cancer treatment. Hopkins researchers discovered that it significantly decreases development of new blood vessels in tumors.

What is a Whipple Procedure?
Hopkins chief of surgical oncology Richard Schulick walks through the Whipple. This procedure—performed here more than anywhere else in the world—has changed the lives of thousands of pancreatic cancer patients.

A Full-Court Press on Liver Cancer
Each week, 20 or more liver specialists gather to evaluate liver tumor cases and devise treatment plans. The Johns Hopkins Liver Tumor Center is another incarnation of the now-classic Hopkins multidisciplinary approach.

Patient Perspectives Series: Nancy Amato
Nancy Amato is more than just a pancreatic cancer patient with a success story. She’s a spokesperson—for both the vaccine and the attitude that keeps her on the side of success.

Judgment Day
Every Tuesday, dozens of Hopkins experts focus on six cases of pancreatic cancer. Within hours, each patient receives a multidisciplinary treatment recommendation—and often, a new lease on life.

Hopkins Develops Personalized Tests for Cancer Using Whole Genome Sequencing
Whole genome sequencing holds great promise for cancer treatment: it could lower costs and make care more effective. It may also enable earlier diagnoses—saving lives. Learn more about the research.

Innovations in Pancreatic Cancer Care
Collaboration between pancreatic cancer experts at Johns Hopkins leads to advances in research and treatment. Watch co-directors Elizabeth Jaffee and Daniel Laheru, of the Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Research and Patient Care, discuss latest and future advances.

A Battle Plan for Defeating Cancer
Lynda Leventer refused to accept a diagnosis of terminal cancer. At Johns Hopkins, she found a treatment team that joined her in refusing that outcome.

Hopkins Scientists Find Cells Responsible for Bladder Cancer’s Spread
Researchers here have identified the cells that push tumor growth into hyperdrive. Targeting these cells could pave the way for tumor destruction—and there’s hope that this will translate to other types of cancer.

A One-Day Pancreatic Cancer Clinic
A surgeon, a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist and a pathologist walk into a room. The patient walks out—with a multidisciplinary treatment plan, a slew of support services and a heads-up about the latest clinical trials.