Understanding Childhood Cancer With Dr Geoff

CAR T-cell therapy is an exciting new treatment for acute leukaemia. In this episode, Dr Geoff interviews his colleague Dr Caroline Bateman about CAR T-cells and introducing the treatment option to her unit. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a special subtype of neuroblastoma seen in very young children, with spread of disease throughout the body, but which needs a very different approach to treatment compared to older children with metastatic disease. This episode explains the features of this stage MS neuroblastoma, the early problems, and the treatment used. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Childhood cancer treatment leads to severe impairment of the ability to fight infections. This episode explains what immune suppression means, what causes it, and the problems that result. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few years ago I described CAR T-cells, but they weren't available for routine use. I now update things, with the very important news about CAR T-cell therapy now becoming available. There is also an interview with Dr Caroline Bateman re this subject in another episode. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a lot of blood samples looking for infection in the bloodstream. This episode explains what blood cultures are all about. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A number of countries have research studies where childhood cancers are analysed in great detail, testing all the DNA in something called 'molecular profiling'. The national Australian study of this is called PRISM, and it is a very exciting project. This episode explains a molecular profiling project and covers issues of obtaining informed consent from parents and patients as well. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The MEK inhibitors are a newer class of drug, and include trametinib, selumetinib and others. They have an important role in paediatric oncology, particularly in glioma treatment and in neurofibromatosis. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophisticated techniques can detect one cancer cell amongst a million normal cells. This episode describes these methods and how they are used in treatment. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many years we didn't biopsy the tumour when the scans suggested that the tumour was a DIPG. This episode explains why that has changed, and the emerging role of biopsy. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DIPG is a type of brain tumor which occurs in children. This episode explains what the letters mean. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ifosfamide is another chemotherapy drug, used particularly in certain sarcomas and certain patients with leukaemia. This episode explains how it is given, and common and rare side effects. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often need to evaluate heart function during chemotherapy. This episode explains what the tests are, and why we need to do them. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in June 2016, a study was presented looking at using two autologous bone marrow transplants in neuroblastoma. The results were exciting.... Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I read out for you an article written by Dr Susan Cohn from the University of Chicago. Dr Cohn is an eminent paediatric oncologist, and a world expert on children's cancer trials, particularly in neuroblastoma. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When families find themselves in a hospital, they meet all sorts of doctors with all sorts of titles, residents, interns, fellows, registrars. This episode explains who's who in the childhood cancer medical team. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chemotherapy can make the white blood cell count drop, predisposing to infection. These drugs work to boost white blood cell production. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I talked about MIBG scans previously. In this episode I discuss the use of high doses of MIBG as a treatment of neuroblastoma. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: What's special about the AYA's? by Dr Geoff Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MIBG scans are used to evaluate and monitor neuroblastoma. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My Christmas Special episode. Includes the Top 12 people who deserve a Christmas present more than the oncologist. Link to Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.