Andrew Smith

Articles

Progress on New Therapies Stirs Hope in SCLC

September 15th 2022

During the past 15 years, breakthrough discoveries have revolutionized the treatment landscape for most patients with lung cancer, progress that has helped fuel an overall drop in cancer mortality.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Enters a New Era of HER2 Classification

September 2nd 2022

A dramatic presentation at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting changed treatment standards seemingly overnight for women with previously treated metastatic HER2-low breast cancer. However, fundamental questions remain.

Leading Investigator Seeks to Promote the Distinctions in GI Cancers

February 7th 2022

Michael A. Choti, MD, MBA, FACS, discusses the progress made in gastrointestinal cancers, plus the need to coordinate care between patients, oncologists, and surgeons.

Predominant Lung Cancer Investigator Welcomes a New Era of Research

January 5th 2022

Early efficacy data in a phase 1 trial of the agent now known as nivolumab were not enough to convince Julie Brahmer, MD, MSc, about the potential of the investigative agent.

Investigators Prepare for the Next Wave of Immunotherapy Advances

October 28th 2021

Since Charu Aggarwal, MD, MPH, helped conduct the first phase 1 trial of pembrolizumab nearly a decade ago, she has been recognized as a pioneer in testing immunotherapy treatments for thoracic cancers.

Breaking Ground in GU Cancers

February 17th 2020

Daniel P. Petrylak, MD, discusses important new developments in bladder and prostate cancer.

Digital Pills May Be on the Horizon in Cancer Care

February 28th 2019

There have been efforts in recent years to improve patient adherence to oncology medications; now, oncologists may soon have 1 more tool in the form of digital pills.

New Paradigm Is Shaping Up for High-Risk Smoldering Myeloma

February 12th 2019

More than a dozen new treatments have boosted survival times for individuals with multiple myeloma. Now, researchers are beginning trials to investigate whether any of those treatments might improve on observation for patients with smoldering multiple myeloma who are at the highest risk of progression.

Fuchs Illuminates Associations Between Cancer, Lifestyle Habits

October 4th 2018

Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH, has investigated associations between lifestyle choices of food and exercise and cancer diagnosis and survivorship, leading to important insights that have clarified the relative value of diets that include nuts, alcohol, and legumes, among other foods.

Advance Planning Minimized Storm Impact for Oncology Practices

November 6th 2017

Texas Oncology and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute knew their ability to recover from hurricanes Harvey and Irma would hinge upon the work they did before either storm arrived.

There Was No Single "Magic Bullet" That Made the OCM Work

October 23rd 2017

North Star Lodge of Yakima, Washington, found that making the Oncology Care Model work involved solving a long series of problems.

Arizona Oncology Center Uses State of the Art Facility to Gain Market Share

August 8th 2017

Architects can tailor new buildings to oncology’s specific needs and Arizona Oncology built its newest facility from the ground up rather than renting generic offices.

How a Northwestern Practice Gained by Accepting Patients of All Means

June 28th 2017

Cancer Care Northwest made a successful bet on going fully independent and became a dominant provider in its market.

Tennessee Oncology Group Finds Growth Bonanza in Clinical Trials

June 9th 2017

After a trio of mergers and sustained organic growth, Tennessee Oncology has 81 physicians who provide care in 30 locations in central and east Tennessee.

Oncology Value Reformer Seeks AMA Post

April 10th 2017

Barbara McAneny, MD, hopes she can help fix American healthcare’s shortcomings while also promoting its strengths by running for president of the American Medical Association (AMA).

New Treatments Offer Hope for Patients With TNBC

March 13th 2017

Hope Rugo, MD, highlights the latest efforts to improve outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer.

Midwest Oncology Practice Succeeds With Independent Spirit

February 23rd 2017

The partners at Cancer Center of Kansas have heard for years about all the radical changes they must make to survive as a business. They have implemented those changes required by law, but they have stood firm against fads.

New Models May Bridge the Payment Gap

January 28th 2017

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders believes that its acupuncturist, dietitian, psychotherapist, and other ancillary service providers extend patient's lives and decrease total treatment costs by reducing hospital visits. In the past, payers did not agree and would not pay for such services, which is one reason why partners at the practice are excited about the ongoing transition from fee-for-service payments to fee-for-outcome payments.

A Preemptive Leap to Patient-Centered Care

January 18th 2017

Kashyap Patel, MD, saw the first signs that fee-for-service was doomed eight years ago. He was serving on South Carolina’s Medicaid board when he received a report about CMS’s plans to test new payment models.

Insured Patients Flock to Mobile Clinic

November 24th 2016

Louisiana leads the nation in cancer mortality—and not in the good sense. The state’s cancer mortality rate is 14% higher than the national average. Much of the problem lies in late diagnosis. Louisiana residents are less likely than other Americans to undergo recommended screenings, so their tumors tend to be more advanced upon detection.