Our Episodes

Episode 101: Colorectal Cancer Series, Pt. 3 - Adjuvant Therapy in Stage II Colon Cancer and ctDNA

In this week’s episode, we discuss the management of stage II colon adenocarcinoma, which is defined by a lack of nodal involvement and invasion through the muscularis layer of the colon. If you have not done so already, be sure to check out episode 099 (overview of colorectal cancer) and episode 100 for stage III colon cancer, as we will building on concepts discussed already.

Episode 100: Colorectal Cancer Series, Pt. 2 - Adjuvant Therapy in Stage III Colon Cancer

This week, we kick off our discussion of adjuvant systemic treatment in colon cancer, beginning with Stage III colon cancer. We will review the evidence basis for adjuvant therapy as well as the two main chemotherapy regimens including duration and side effects.

Episode 099: Colorectal Cancer Series, Pt. 1 - Intro to Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed each year worldwide. This highly anticipated series will take an in-depth look at this disease. In this first episode, we discuss the basics, including staging, tumor markers, and microsatellite instability testing, before tackling the management of colorectal cancer in upcoming episodes.

Episode 098: Understanding MRD Testing in CLL

With multiple options for frontline therapy in CLL, MRD has the potential to emerge as a factor that could be considered in our decision-making algorithm for sequencing treatment options. In this week’s episode, we dive into a deeper understanding of the role of MRD testing in CLL.

Episode 097: Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory CLL

This week, we continue our discussion of treatment of CLL, this time focusing on the relapsed/refractory CLL. If you have not done so, we recommend checking out our prior episodes since we will be building on these conversations!

Episode 096: Treatment of CLL

We continue on our journey through chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL), this time focusing our attention to the treatment of CLL. 

Episode 095: Introduction to CLL/SLL

This week, we start a new series, this time all about the ins-and-outs of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) / small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)! Whether practicing general internal medicine, hospital medicine, or hematology/oncology, you will likely come across a patient with CLL. First, we go through initial diagnosis of this disease!

Episode 094: Heme Consult Series: Cold Agglutinin Disease

In this week’s episode, we finish our series on hemolytic anemias with a discussion on cold agglutinin disease along with a few other causes of acquired hemolytic anemia.

Episode 093: Heme Consult Series: Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Next in our heme consult series is all about the workup and management of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA), a very scary situation! These patients can often be very sick and there can be a lot of underlying issues that may be causing this to occur. Rest assured- after this episode, you’ll be a pro at identifying this disorder and know how to manage it should you ever come across this.

If you have not done so already, we recommend you check out our initial episode about hemolytic anemias (Episode 091)

Episode 092: Heme Consult Series: Congenital Causes of Hemolytic Anemia

In the next part of this heme consult series, we discuss several congenital causes of hemolytic anemias. These diseases are relatively rare, but in patients presenting with concerns for hemolysis on history and on labs, but with a negative DAT, it is important to have these in your differential diagnosis! We take you through how to think about these disorders, their diagnosis, and management.

If you have not done so already, be sure to check out Episode 091 where we discuss our initial approach to the diagnosis of hemolytic anemias. We also discuss the most common inherited cause of hemolytic anemia, G6PD deficiency, in that episode!

Episode 091: Heme Consult Series: Intro to Acquired Hemolytic Anemia and G6PD Deficiency

It’s time for another heme consult series, this time focusing on hemolytic anemias. In this multi-part series, we will go through our approach to thinking about concerns for hemolytic anemias. This is super high yield for anyone who cares for patients, especially those in hematology/oncology. It’s not uncommon to get a consult on the heme consult service for assistance with diagnosis and management of suspected hemolytic anemias!

Episode 090: Prostate Cancer Series, Pt. 7- Treatment for Met. Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer

We made it to the end of another series. In our FINAL episode of the prostate cancer series, we turn our attention to metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer! We discuss treatment options, the data behind why we do what we do, and more targeted agents.

Episode 089: Prostate Cancer Series, Pt. 6 - Systemic Treatment for Metastatic Castrate Sensitive Prostate Cancer

This week, we continue our discussion about metastatic castrate sensitive prostate cancer. Spoiler alert: there is not good guidance or biomarkers that help us pick one regimen over another. In this episode, we go through the data, our critical appraisal of the data, and some things to consider when selecting one regimen over another.

As a refresher, be sure to check out our Pharmacology Episode and our introductory episodes, as we will be building on these concepts.

Episode 088: Prostate Cancer Series, Pt. 5 - Systemic Treatment for Localized Prostate Cancer

As we continue our exploration of prostate cancer, we turn our focus to one of the earliest areas where medical oncologists are commonly involved: systemic therapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer. In this episode, we will review how to risk stratify localized prostate cancer, differences in FDA-approved prostate-specific PET tracers, how to evaluate for biochemical recurrence following surgical and radiation based treatments for localized prostate cancer, and when to consider utilizing systemic therapy in non-metastatic disease.

Episode 087: Prostate Cancer Series: Pt. 4- Radiation Oncology in Prostate Cancer

Last, but not least, in our multidisciplinary discussions regarding the management of prostate cancer, we are thrilled to present a special episode featuring soon-to-be attending Radiation Oncologist Dr. Jacob Hall. Dr. Hall is a senior Radiation Oncology resident and Chief Resident at UNC-Chapel Hill. Today, he helps us better understand patient selection for radiation and helps define key terms.

As a reminder, we previously discussed the fundamentals of Radiation Oncology with Dr. Evan Osmundson in Episode 027!

Episode 086: Prostate Cancer Series: Pt. 3 - Surgical Approaches to Prostate Cancer

In our next episode, we are joined by Dr. Sanjay Patel, a urologic oncologist from the Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma, who also happens to be Vivek’s older brother! We discuss the management of prostate cancer from the perspective of our urology colleagues. As medical oncologists, these are conversations and decisions that we are almost never a part of, as they are being had often before patients ever see us. It was so helpful to get to hear how Dr. Patel thinks about his patients!

Episode 085: Prostate Cancer Series: Pt. 2. - Pharmacology

This week, we chat with Vineetha Thomas, PharmD, BCCCP, BCOP who is a clinical pharmacist specializing in genitourinary oncology at the Stevenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma. In this episode, we discuss the ins-and-outs of how Dr. Thomas thinks about the various drugs available to treat prostate cancer and how she counsels her patients.

Thanks to our friends at the Pharmacy Podcast Network for connecting us with Dr. Thomas!

Episode 084: Prostate Cancer Series: Pt. 1 - Introduction

Prostate cancer is one of the common cancers diagnosed each year in males. In this new series, we will go through the ins-and-outs of this disease. As medical oncologists, there is so much more to prostate cancer than we see. In our future episodes, we will also highlight the important role of pharmacists, radiation oncologists, and urologists in disease management!

In the final episode in our reboot of Pharmacology 101, we sit down with Renee McAlister, PharmD, BCOP to learn more about the nuances of pharmacology from an expert that does this day in and day out.

Episode 082: Pharmacology 101: Part 2 (REBOOT!)

As we prepare for another round oncology series in the weeks to come, we thought we would pause and go back to to the basics. We continue on our Pharmacology 101 series this week. This is such a high yield episode for anyone who cares for patients receiving therapy for their cancer!

As we prepare for another round oncology series in the weeks to come, we thought we would pause and go back to to the basics. We previously released this episode as Episode 020. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who talks to patients about chemotherapy!