DEAR MAYO CLINIC: A friend has had several small skin cancers removed, and that made me wonder if I'm at risk, too. What everyday habits can help reduce my risk of skin cancer?

ANSWER: Whether skies are clear or overcast, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate more deeply, contributing to premature aging, such as fine wrinkles and sunspots. Both forms of UV radiation increase the risk of skin cancer.

A tan is not a sign of health; it's evidence of skin injury. There's no safe way to tan in the sun or with indoor tanning. Fortunately, daily habits can protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer.

Use sunscreen consistently. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA rays with an SPF of at least 30. Be aware of the expiration date and replace your sunscreen regularly. Keep it out of the heat and direct sunlight, which can degrade its effectiveness.

Spray sunscreens are typically easier to apply to hairy skin. Makeup also can contain sun-protective ingredients, but it should meet the same minimum standard of a broad-spectrum sunscreen and an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreens may contain organic or inorganic ingredients, or a combination of both.

Inorganic (mineral) sunscreens contain minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and provide excellent, broad-spectrum protection. These ingredients tend to be thicker and may leave a whitish residue on your skin.   

Organic (chemical) sunscreen filters are more common and tend to be lighter, easier to spread and less visible on the skin, but they may not have as much UVA protection as mineral options.

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced its proposal to add a new organic sunscreen ingredient, bemotrizinol (BEMT), to its approved list for use in the U.S. BEMT provides protection against both UVA and UVB, and it has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body. This is exciting news because the U.S. doesn't have as many approved filters compared to other countries.

Apply sunscreen whenever you're outdoors — even on cloudy days, when up to 80% of harmful rays penetrate the clouds. When applying sunscreen:

• Don't forget places like the tops of your ears and feet, the back of your neck, and areas where a beard might not be as thick. 
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
• Remember to reapply more often with water exposure or sweating because this reduces how long the sunscreen remains effective. Water-resistant sunscreen provides protection for about 40 to 80 minutes. 
• Apply more sunscreen than you think. Most people apply only a quarter to half of the amount needed to reach the advertised SPF on the product label. A simple strategy is to apply a full layer, then repeat to create a "double coat" to ensure adequate coverage. 

Wear photoprotective clothing. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses provide consistent protection without the need for reapplying sunscreen. Not all clothing blocks the same amount of UV rays. Test it by holding it up to the light. If you can see the light through the clothing, you'll know that UV rays can pass through, too.

Many brands now offer lightweight, breathable clothing with built-in ultraviolet protection rated with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). For water activities, rash guards offer convenient, reliable sun protection. Tops are available in short- and long-sleeved styles, with or without hoods. 

Avoid intentional tanning. Indoor tanning significantly increases the risk of cancer. Tanning beds emit intense UV radiation and can increase melanoma risk by 20% with just one session. Using indoor tanning before age 35 can increase melanoma risk by 75%. Dermatologists see patients in their 30s with multiple skin cancers and advanced sun damage after extensive tanning bed use in their teens and 20s.

If you want a bronzed glow without the risk of UV rays, sunless tanning products are a safe alternative. Spray tans and lotions containing dihydroxyacetone can create the appearance of tanned skin without UV exposure.

Be mindful of peak sun hours. If you love being outdoors, whether it's hanging at the beach, working in the garden, hiking on a fall day or skiing down a mountain, it's wise to use a combination of sun-protective behaviors, including sunscreen, photoprotective clothing and seeking shade when possible. Consistent sun-protective behaviors will substantially reduce your risk of skin cancer while allowing you to enjoy time outdoors safely.

Steven Nelson, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix 

Related post:

• Mayo Clinic Q&A: Advances in staging and surgical treatment of melanoma 
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips for protecting babies from harmful UV rays

The post Mayo Clinic Q&A: What do I need to know about skin cancer protection? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PHOENIX — Endometriosis and uterine fibroids are two of the most common gynecological conditions. While they have important differences, they also have things in common. Both can lead to serious complications, affect fertility and have symptoms related to the menstrual cycle. And both are the focus of medical innovations to give women better treatment options, explains Megan Wasson, D.O., a gynecologist and chair of gynecology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

 "They're both relatively common," Dr. Wasson says. "There can be some overlapping symptoms, but the majority of symptoms vary and the diseases progress differently. Fibroids and endometriosis can run in families. Neither condition is preventable."

Fibroids

Fibroids grow in the uterus. They are almost always noncancerous. You can have one or more. A fibroid may be too small to see with the eyes alone or it can grow as big as a grapefruit or larger, even filling the pelvis or stomach area and making someone appear pregnant.

"These are not just little inconveniences. These are very large, very significant masses and they can really impact quality of life," Dr. Wasson says.

Many people do not experience symptoms and only learn they have fibroids due to a pelvic exam or ultrasound. Others may have symptoms such as heavy, painful, longer or more frequent periods; pain in the pelvis, stomach area or lower back; frequent or difficult urination; constipation; or pain during sex.

"When fibroids become very enlarged, you can actually feel them through the abdominal wall. You can get to the point that your pants do not fit, you have significant abdominal bloating, and the fibroids are pushing on other organs such as the bladder, causing you to have to go to the bathroom all the time, among other symptoms," Dr. Wasson explains. "You can have constipation because the fibroids are pushing on the bowel and not allowing things to move."

In the past, women whose fibroids were problematic were commonly told that a hysterectomy — surgery that removes the uterus, also ending the ability to become pregnant — was the only treatment option.

Now, medical advances are minimizing the impact of fibroid removal surgery on patients, often preserving the uterus and fertility, Dr. Wasson says. Other fibroid treatment options include medications that shrink fibroids and procedures that do not require surgery, she adds.

For example, interventional radiologists can perform a uterine fibroid embolization to block the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink. Patients can usually leave the same day. Reducing the size and alleviating symptoms can help significantly, Dr. Wasson explains.

Other minimally invasive procedures include radiofrequency ablation, which uses energy to cause fibroids to die. Minimally invasive surgeries include a robotic or laparoscopic myomectomy, a surgery to remove the fibroids and leave the uterus in place.

Endometriosis

In endometriosis, tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Common symptoms are pelvic pain and cramping, including during menstruation; heavy periods or bleeding between periods; and pain during sex, bowel movements or urination. Sometimes people with endometriosis do not have symptoms and only learn they have it when they have difficulty becoming pregnant or they have surgery for another reason.

"Endometriosis symptoms usually start much earlier in life than fibroids," Dr. Wasson says. "Endometriosis increases the risk for ovarian cancer. It can also cause infertility."

Treatment for endometriosis often involves medication or surgery. Conservative surgery removes endometriosis tissue while aiming to preserve the uterus and ovaries and protect fertility. This surgery may be minimally invasive, using a laparoscope and a small cut. Sometimes a laparoscopic surgery is done with help from robotic devices.

Dr. Wasson is working with a Mayo research team to create a vaccine to prevent endometriosis. She and Mayo colleagues are also exploring ways to make endometriosis easier to detect with medical imaging. Potentially, a molecule could be given during imaging that causes endometriosis to light up, making it easy to see endometriosis tissue, Dr. Wasson explains.

To help detect endometriosis or fibroids as early as possible, Dr. Wasson recommends that, from the time  menstrual cycles start, girls and women pay attention to any irregularities, such as unusually heavy periods, abnormally long or short cycles, missing periods, or symptoms such as pain with periods.

"Your period should be no more than a minor inconvenience," she adds. "If you're missing work, school and other activities, if you're staying in bed because you're having your period, that's not normal. If there are any symptoms causing you to change anything in your life, that warrants a conversation with your healthcare professional. Don't assume a change is normal or is just something you should deal with."

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Endometriosis and fibroids: Expert explains advances giving women less invasive treatment options appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My mom, older sisters and I have always had really painful menstrual periods. I recently read that this could be caused by endometriosis. Could you tell me more about it?

ANSWER: My rule of thumb for patients is that their periods should be no more than an inconvenience. If someone is missing time from work or school, not being able to get out of bed, or canceling plans due to period pain, this isn't typical and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

It's not unusual that painful periods run in your family. Often, women think that debilitating pain and cramping are usual because they've seen their family members have the same experience. You don't need to suffer. If the cause is endometriosis, it can be treated, even if it can't be cured.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where cells that are similar to those in the lining of the uterus — the endometrium — multiply outside of the uterus. Although typically found in the pelvis, these cells can be found throughout the body, including the abdominal and chest cavities. 

Endometriosis cells cause inflammation and are hormone-stimulated. So, with every menstrual cycle, inflammation flares up, causing scarring and tissue growth, which can fuse organs together and lead to significant symptoms, including pain.

This growth of tissue and binding together of organs, in addition to difficult periods, can lead women to experience: 

• Frequent and urgent urination with bladder pain.
• Bowel movement changes, including pain, constipation or diarrhea, blood in the stool, or a change in its shape or size.
• Pain during and after and after sexual intercourse.

Endometriosis also may interfere with fertility. While about 70% of women with endometriosis are able to get pregnant without assistance, about 50% who struggle with fertility are found to have endometriosis. 

Diagnosis

Despite all of these symptoms, endometriosis can be challenging to diagnose. It typically takes seven to 10 years from the onset of symptoms until a diagnosis is made. Suspected endometriosis may start with a conversation with your healthcare professional about your symptoms and concerns. 

The next step can be a physical exam to evaluate your pelvic floor and assess how the organs move in the pelvis. If they aren't sliding easily past each other, this is a key indication of possible endometriosis scarring.

Imaging following the physical exam can include:

• A screening pelvic ultrasound to determine if the uterus and bowel slide past each other.
• A specialized MRI that looks at the tissue growth caused by endometriosis.
• An advanced ultrasound to detect more advanced disease.

If nothing irregular is shown on imaging, that doesn't entirely rule out endometriosis. Not all disease can be seen on scans and can only be confirmed by surgery. That's why gathering family history and symptoms is so important in a diagnosis.

Treatment

With the information from the physical exam and imaging, your healthcare professional will discuss treatment options with you. There's no one treatment that fits every woman; treatments are customized to what each person is experiencing and will deliver the most benefit. 

Treatments range from more conservative to more aggressive and include:

• Doing nothing. This is a quality-of-life concern, and for some women, it's peace of mind to know that there's nothing worrisome about their health. If symptoms aren't overly bothersome, choosing to live with the symptoms is OK.
• Taking supplements. Various supplements, including vitamins C, E and N-acetylcysteine, have been studied extensively and can help minimize symptoms.
• Taking anti-inflammatories. Over-the-counter NSAIDs can help provide relief and are most effective when taken 24-48 hours before your period begins.
• Trying hormones. Progesterone-only or combination progesterone-estrogen birth control pills can stabilize the body's hormones, evening out the peaks and valleys in hormonal fluctuations and endometriosis-related symptoms. Using a progesterone-releasing IUD is another option.
• Taking medications to induce menopause. These can improve endometriosis symptoms, but the trade-offs are typical menopause symptoms: hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, mood swings and more.
• Undergoing surgery. This involves removing endometriosis tissue and separating organs that are fused together. It's an effective approach that helps many patients.  

Some women benefit from working with other specialists, including integrative medicine, acupuncture focused on women's health, pelvic floor physical therapy, gastroenterology, urology, interventional radiology and pain psychology.

While there's no cure for endometriosis, the condition is emerging from the shadows and being talked about and addressed more openly, which increases awareness, education and diagnosis. 

Ideally, awareness of endometriosis would begin with pediatricians. Many women diagnosed with endometriosis report experiencing symptoms with their first period. So, if a patient tells their pediatrician that they're having painful periods, discussing the possibility of endometriosis should become part of their conversation.

Research into understanding the immune response of endometriosis continues. One day, it may even lead to a vaccine that stops endometriosis before it starts.

Megan Wasson, D.O., Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Postsurgery recovery for women, what to know with endometriosis
• Mayo Clinic Minute: When to seek care for pelvic pain

The post Mayo Clinic Q&A: Can menstrual pain be caused by endometriosis? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PHOENIX — In a study published in the Liver Transplantation journal by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Mayo Clinic researchers found that a new proactive treatment protocol for alcohol use disorder after liver transplant resulted in a 0% heavy alcohol relapse rate among patients who followed the protocol, compared with a historical relapse rate of approximately 25%.

"The results were greater than we expected," says Channa Jayasekera, M.D., Mayo Clinic transplant hepatologist and senior author of the study. "Among the 21 patients in the study, none relapsed to heavy alcohol use within one year. Although this was a small cohort, having no relapses is incredibly encouraging that we have found an effective intervention."

Researchers defined heavy alcohol use as binge drinking — five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women on a single occasion — or drinking alcohol more than four days per week. This standard definition reflects a level of alcohol consumption associated with damage to the transplanted liver and other negative health outcomes.

New protocol aims to prevent alcohol relapse after liver transplant

Alcohol-associated liver disease is now the leading indication for liver transplantation in the U.S., and many patients requiring urgent transplantation do not have time to complete traditional alcohol treatment programs before surgery. Historically, transplant care has often focused on monitoring patients after transplant and intervening only after relapse occurs.

Patients who relapse after transplant face a higher risk of serious health complications and may not be eligible for another liver transplant, making relapse prevention a critical part of long-term care.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Arizona developed and studied preventing alcohol-related complications after transplantation, or PACT, a first-of-its-kind multidisciplinary protocol designed to proactively prevent alcohol relapse after transplant. The protocol combines anticraving medication, frequent patient follow-up, alcohol metabolite testing, and coordinated care from transplant hepatologists, surgeons, addiction counselors, psychiatrists and pharmacists.

Watch: Dr. Channa Jayasekera discusses Mayo Clinic PACT study

Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites with Dr. Channa Jayasekera are in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Name super/CG: Channa Jayasekera, M.D./Transplant Hepatology/Mayo Clinic.

"While a liver transplant can cure alcohol-related liver disease, it does not treat alcohol use disorder," says Dr. Jayasekera. "We increasingly understand alcohol use disorder as a chronic medical condition that deserves proactive treatment, just like other chronic diseases. Our goal is to give patients every possible tool to protect their health and preserve the gift of transplantation."

Researchers say the findings could help reshape how transplant centers nationwide approach addiction treatment after liver transplant and help reduce stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder.

"These patients are often young and have a long future ahead of them after transplant," says Dr. Jayasekera. "If these findings are replicated at other centers, this approach could become a game changer in transplant medicine."

Dr. Jayasekera notes that larger studies and replication at additional transplant centers will be important next steps.

For a complete list of authors and disclosures, review the study.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Mayo Clinic Transplant Center
Mayo Clinic Transplant Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive transplant programs in the world. With programs in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, Mayo Clinic provides seamless, coordinated care across adult heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation. Guided by a commitment to innovation, research and education, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center delivers world-leading outcomes, compassionate patient care and advances that shape the future of transplantation worldwide.

Media contact:

• Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic study finds new post-liver transplant protocol results in 0% heavy alcohol relapse rate appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PHOENIX — An experimental drug combination may help overcome treatment resistance in advanced kidney cancer, according to early results from a first-in-human clinical trial led by Mayo Clinic researchers.

The study evaluated the investigational drug darlifarnib in combination with the targeted therapy cabozantinib, a standard treatment for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common type of kidney cancer. Among patients whose disease had progressed despite prior treatment, 44% responded to the combination therapy, while disease control was achieved in 94% of participants.

"These early findings are encouraging, as more effective treatments are urgently needed for patients with advanced disease," says Yousef Zakharia, M.D., principal investigator of the study and a medical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He presented the findings at the 2026 International Kidney Cancer Symposium: Europe in Paris.

ccRCC accounts for most kidney cancer cases in adults, and many patients eventually experience disease progression despite treatment.

In the phase 1a/b study, researchers evaluated 18 patients who had previously received cabozantinib. About half had undergone at least three prior therapies.

"For many patients, the benefit of cabozantinib can be temporary. Tumors may develop resistance and activate alternative pathways that allow the cancer to continue growing," Dr. Zakharia says.

Researchers investigated whether adding darlifarnib, a next-generation targeted therapy designed to inhibit cancer growth signaling pathways, could help overcome treatment resistance.

The combination produced tumor shrinkage in 7 of 16 evaluable patients, corresponding to an overall response rate of 44%. Disease control, defined as either tumor stability or shrinkage, was achieved in 15 of 16 patients (94%).

"These findings require validation in a larger clinical trial to confirm the efficacy observed thus far; however, the early signal is intriguing," says Dr. Zakharia. "This study represents an important step forward and provides insight into how treatment resistance might be overcome."

The multicenter, international trial will further evaluate the benefit of the combination in a larger group.

For a complete list of trial and funding information, review the study.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center is defining the cancer center of the future, focused on delivering the world's most exceptional patient-centered cancer care for everyone. At Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, a culture of innovation and collaboration is driving research breakthroughs in cancer detection, prevention and treatment to change lives.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tilman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Experimental drug combination shows early effectiveness in advanced kidney cancer appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences celebrated the graduation of 48 students in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 15, marking the beginning of their next chapter as physicians and scientists.

This is the first graduating class from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Arizona. Six students earned their Ph.D. 

These Arizona students join more than 135 of their fellow students in Florida and Minnesota who are graduating throughout May.

The ceremony highlighted not only academic achievement, but the responsibility graduates carry to uphold core values and invest in others.

"In these moments, I urge you to return to the values that have anchored your training here — Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Healing, Teamwork, Innovation, Excellence and Stewardship," said Jewel Kling, M.D., Suzanne Hanson Poole Dean, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine —Arizona Campus, referencing the set of Mayo values referred to as "RICH TIES." "These are not just aspirational words — they are lived commitments."

Graduates will continue their training in residencies and research roles across Mayo Clinic and the nation, where they will care for patients and help shape the future of medicine.

The student speakers at commencement reflected on the personal and professional growth during their time in the programs ­—and the responsibility ahead.

Arizona medical student speaker Stephanie Hernandez, M.D., said that an attribute of this class is shared joy and its hallmark is mutual respect. "What I am most proud of is to be part of a class that is not only intelligent, ambitious, perseverant but that we cared for each other. Our class built a community on the knowledge that each one of us belonged here, had something to contribute and were cared for."

One of the first class of Arizona Ph.D. graduates, Natalie Elliot, Ph.D., said, "Today as we step forward as scientists, scholars and leaders, may we carry with us humility, collaboration and a sense of wonder. May we continue to ask bold questions, support one another generously and build lives that are as meaningful as the work we do."

Leigh Griffiths, Ph.D., MRCVS, Dean of Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, emphasized that leadership in medicine includes lifting others along the way.

"Aim to nurture others' advancement and be known for those efforts just as much as your own work," he said. "Your impact will be defined not only by what you achieve, but by who you help along the way."

The keynote speaker was Fredric Meyer, M.D., former Waugh Executive Dean of Education at Mayo Clinic and an alumnus of the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Meyer told graduates to stay true to their values throughout their career.

"All of you who have been trained at Mayo Clinic know our primary value: the needs of the patient come first," he said. "I would also add humility as a key value. Humility as a core value will help you steer your ship straight even during the most difficult times."

Graduates leave prepared to advance medicine and science while fostering a culture grounded in mentorship, values and shared success.

Commencement recordings

Visit the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science website to view the commencement ceremony recordings from Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network."

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio, and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MCGSBS) is revolutionizing healthcare by catalyzing multidisciplinary science and preparing the next generation of leaders in biomedical research. Embedded within Mayo Clinic's integrated model of research and patient care, the school delivers innovative, individualized and technologically advanced training that advances discovery and improves lives worldwide. Across its campuses in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, students work alongside internationally recognized mentors to translate scientific breakthroughs into meaningful impact.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

The post Advancing medicine and science through values and mentorship: Mayo Clinic celebrates commencement in Arizona appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

When Ruby Norland of Las Vegas decided to donate a kidney to her 29-year-old son, Ramiro Alvarado, she assumed determination and love would be enough. But after a series of evaluations at another transplant center, Ruby heard the word she feared most: no. 

"I cried out of anger and frustration," she recalls. "I felt devastated and helpless." 

Even though Ruby was a match, she was told her case was too complex. She had a small kidney stone and unusual anatomy. Instead of one artery, the right kidney had two, with the main artery branching very close to the aorta. Although her left kidney was not complex, Ruby was told the risks were too great to leave her with a single kidney that had a stone. 

That's when Ruby was referred to Mayo Clinic. 

Watch: Mother refuses to give up on son and finds a way forward

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:43) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

The path forward to donation

Ramiro had been on dialysis for eight months, three to four hours a day. For him, it was physically and emotionally challenging. "When my mom first offered to donate her kidney, I was stunned. I could never have asked anyone to do something so profound for me. She decided almost instantly, without a second thought," says Ramiro. "Donating an organ is not just a medical act. It is an act of love." 

During her first call, Ruby remembers the coordinator pausing before responding, not to say no, but to say that Mayo wanted to take a closer look. The Mayo Clinic team reassured her that their technology and surgeons were well equipped to handle complex cases like hers, offering hope instead of focusing on obstacles to donation. 

Experience meets complexity 

The transplant team evaluated her kidney stone risk, studied her anatomy in detail and worked through what donation would mean for her long-term health. The outcome was one other centers hadn't reached: Ruby was approved to donate her left kidney, while keeping the kidney with complex anatomy and the small stone, along with a long-term plan to reduce future risk. Mayo Clinic Transplant Center physicians have studied predictors of future kidney stones and have helped develop donor guidelines.   

"My test results didn't show a high risk of recurring kidney stones, and I felt confident about keeping my right kidney," says Ruby. When Ruby received the call that she was approved, she cried again, but this time out of relief. "When I told my son, he didn't believe me at first," she says. "Then it sank in, and we just held each other."   

The transplant itself was a success. "The testing was thorough, and the team was honest about the risks," Ruby says. "That made me feel prepared, not afraid."  

"It is our responsibility to not only identify but also comprehensively understand risks for potential donors, ensuring that decisions are guided by the expertise of our clinical team as well as input from the donor. Often, complex donor anatomy leads to denial at other centers. However, our approach at Mayo Clinic allows us to assist many donors successfully," explains Dr. Carrie Jadlowiec, medical director of the Living Donor Program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.  

"My care team never minimized my risks," Ruby says. "They just refused to stop at no." 

Ruby says the moment that stays with her most is waking up after surgery and hearing that her son's new kidney was already working.  

Her recovery was smooth, and today she's back to hiking, practicing hot yoga and strength training and looking forward to her first Mother’s Day after the transplant.  

For Ramiro, having more energy, freedom and a renewed sense of gratitude for everyday moments that once felt out of reach drives his days. "I am not just surviving anymore. I am living again," he says. "There was a time when I avoided looking too far into the future because it felt like a privilege I could not count on. Now, I find myself making plans and looking forward to what comes next." 

For Ruby and her son, the transplant is no longer the center of the story; it's the turning point. What remains is many more Mother’s Days in their future together. And for Ramiro, every day reminds him of the incredible gift his mom gave him. 

Becoming an organ donor

Living kidney donation is available at all Mayo Clinic sites, where multidisciplinary teams prioritize patient needs, even in complex cases. Ruby's story is just one example of what's possible, thanks to the Transplant Center's support from Mayo Clinic's depth of expertise. This collaboration enables Mayo Clinic to care for patients facing extraordinary challenges while advancing transplant medicine. 

Learn more about Living Kidney Donation at Mayo Clinic. 

Related posts:

• How innovation is shaping the future of transplant care (VIDEO)
• Transplant Center at Mayo Clinic in Arizona sets a five-year national record for solid organ transplants (VIDEO)

The post Mother refuses to give up on son and finds a way forward (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage kidney disease, a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant eliminates the need for dialysis and insulin injections by restoring insulin production and curing diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes may also be eligible.

For nearly four decades, 49-year-old Nakia Odom of Phoenix lived with type 1 diabetes, a disease that slowly took more than his health. It took his independence, his mobility and the tap dancing that once defined him.

Nakia was taught tap dancing by his grandmother, and it became an early passion. He even got to dance with tap legend Savion Glover at the Apollo Theater in New York. But a diabetes diagnosis at age 13 forced him to shift his focus from the stage to his health.

"Diabetes was livable at first," Nakia says. "But as I got older, it took more and more." As he approached his mid-20s, his health began to deteriorate. He had to give up tap dancing and eventually, playing football and basketball.

Diabetes to kidney failure

By his mid‑40s, diabetes-related complications had led to kidney failure. Nakia began dialysis at age 46, endured multiple surgeries, lost a toe to infection and developed sepsis, leaving him unable to walk or bear weight on his feet for months.

Nakia leaned into his faith. He also began to explore kidney-pancreas transplantation — but his case was too complex for most transplant centers.

That changed when he was referred to Mayo Clinic in Arizona, where transplant teams specialize in caring for patients others may turn away. Mayo Clinic is a leader in kidney–pancreas transplantation, with outcomes that meet and often exceed national averages. The team is also advancing the field through innovations such as robotic-assisted transplants, using minimally invasive techniques to support complex procedures.

Watch: Kidney-Pancreas transplant restores life without diabetes, the Nakia Odom story

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:21) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Last spring, Nakia received a simultaneous kidney–pancreas transplant. "The first thing I noticed when I woke up was that the brain fog was gone," he says. "I wasn't in pain. And every day since, it's gotten better."

Now, one year post‑transplant, Nakia no longer needs insulin or dialysis. He's active again and has returned to tap dancing for the first time since 2001.

"My goal was always to dance again," Nakia says. "Dancing is how I connect with God."

Organ donors

His story reflects both the promise and the urgency of organ donation. More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant, and around 2,500 are on the list for kidney–pancreas transplants. For many, the wait can stretch three to five years or longer. 

Nakia is deeply aware of the gift he received. "I pray for the donor's family every day," he says. "Their loss gave me my life back. Without their sacrifice, I might not be here today."

Now, the sound of Nakia's second chance is the rhythm of his tap shoes touching the floor once again — showing how his transplant didn't just restore his health; it gave him back something he deeply loved. 

"This is the best thing that's ever happened in my life," he says.

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Transplant performs record 2,065 organ transplants in 2025
• Robotic kidney transplant, when innovation meets family (VIDEO)
• How innovation is shaping the future of transplant care (VIDEO)
• Mayo Clinic Minute: What to expect as a living kidney donor

The post Kidney-pancreas transplant gives tap dancer new life without diabetes (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PHOENIX — This National Donate Life Month, Mayo Clinic is highlighting how innovation is shaping the future of transplant care.

"Over the last 50 years, transplant safety and outcomes have improved dramatically, making it a successful treatment for many patients. Since joining Mayo Clinic in 1976, I've seen how teamwork, research and high-volume expertise have driven advances," says Sylvester Sterioff, M.D., retired transplant surgeon.

Mayo Clinic performed its first transplant in 1963, marking the start of its pioneering work in transplantation. At that time, surgeons didn't typically specialize in transplants full time. The introduction of improved immunosuppression therapies in the 1980s greatly expanded capabilities, and surgical techniques have progressed from traditional open procedures to today's advanced methods.

"These innovations now allow us to accept a broader range of organs, and preservation techniques have improved considerably," says Dr. Sterioff. "Over the years, I've witnessed success rates in transplantation rise from 35% to over 90%. Mayo Clinic's foundation in collaborative, complex care makes these achievements possible." 

Today, that progress is enabling less invasive options for some transplant patients.

Watch: Inside the Innovation — Robotic-assisted kidney transplant

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:04) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Robotic-assisted transplantation expands possibilities

Now, that legacy continues with robotic-assisted kidney transplantation, a surgical approach available at only a limited number of advanced transplant centers nationwide.

"In robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon controls every movement, the robot isn't operating on its own," explains Alex Cortez, M.D., a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon. "It's a tool that gives us greater precision and a magnified view, so we can perform highly advanced minimally invasive surgery. With four robotic arms and a nearby console, the surgeon can make finer, steadier motions than the human hand alone. This can also make surgery possible for some patients with more complex cases. And because it's less invasive, patients often have smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery."

Robotic systems have come a long way since the first robotic kidney transplant in 2001. Much like smartphones, the optics, technology and access have improved. This efficiency enables surgeons to perform additional procedures, allowing them to assist a greater number of patients. Robotic-assisted surgery still requires extensive training and uses the same core surgical principles. Advanced haptics let surgeons feel tissue resistance and suture tension, improving precision and safety. This reduces tissue harm and complications over visual cues alone, and technology will continue to evolve. 

The future of transplant innovation

Looking ahead, advances in robotics could help make complex transplants and multi-organ transplants less invasive and shape what the next era of transplant medicine looks like.

"I think this is just the beginning. We're able to merge innovation with patient-centered care to provide not only successful transplants, but also allow patients to recover faster and lead to a better quality of life," says Michelle Nguyen, M.D., a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon. "For the first time at Mayo Clinic, we have been able to perform a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant using robotic surgery."  

"Looking to the future, there's a lot of innovation occurring," she adds. "With the introduction of telepresence, the robot’s video camera and microphone allow users to see, hear and interact in a remote environment.” Surgeons from all over the country will be able to watch and learn from Mayo Clinic. There are also opportunities for leveraging the data to then potentially train the robot and other machine learning models to help us make the operation much smoother. "We hope this approach will expand access to care for more patients in the future."

Mayo Clinic is not only advancing today's transplant care, but helping define what comes next. Transplant teams at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic in Arizona are continuing their work to expand robotic-assisted transplants to other organ groups and the Jacksonville campus at Mayo Clinic in Florida will be including robotics as part of their transplant practice in the near future. These advances would not be possible without the generosity of organ donors, who make lifesaving innovation possible.

Expert sources:

• Alex Cortez, M.D., transplant surgeon, Mayo Clinic in Minnesota 
• Michelle Nguyen, M.D., transplant surgeon, Mayo Clinic in Arizona

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

About Mayo Clinic Transplant Center  
Mayo Clinic Transplant Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive transplant programs in the world. With programs in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, Mayo Clinic provides seamless, coordinated care across adult heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation. Guided by a commitment to innovation, research and education, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center delivers world-leading outcomes, compassionate patient care and advances that shape the future of transplantation worldwide. 

Media contact: 

• Carey Stanton, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

The post How innovation is shaping the future of transplant care (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic is using new technology to help with diabetes-related kidney failure.

About 40 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes. Most are able to manage the condition with medication and lifestyle changes.

But in some cases, diabetes, type 1 or type 2, can lead to more serious problems, including chronic kidney disease, even kidney failure, leaving patients with only one option – a pancreas-kidney transplant.

The transplant has been performed for decades. Now, surgeons at Mayo Clinic are performing the transplant robotically. 

Steve Canzoneri shares his life-changing story of becoming Mayo's first patient to undergo a robotic pancreas-kidney transplant.

Watch: Mayo Clinic announces first robotic pancreas-kidney transplant

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:45) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Steve has battled diabetes most of his life. Despite treatment, diabetes still took a toll on his body and over time led to kidney failure.

"I've had some major setbacks with diabetic complications and other things like that," says Steve.

Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot properly control blood sugar levels. In most cases, the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or the body can't use it effectively. This can damage organs, especially the kidneys, leaving some patients like Steve in need of a pancreas-kidney transplant.

Steve got the transplant he needed at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He also became Mayo's first patient to undergo the procedure robotically.

"Traditionally, this operation involves a very big incision, but with the minimally invasive approach, we're able to offer patients a smaller incision," says transplant surgeon Michelle Nguyen, M.D. "That potentially allows the patient to recover faster, have less pain, have less risk of wound complications and just be able to return to their normal life more quickly."

For the transplant, two surgeons sit at consoles guiding the robot with hand controls. The robot does not replace the surgeon – it enhances precision, accuracy and control. 

"The robot is actually just a tool that we use in the operating room that improves our magnifications, allows us to do a minimally invasive approach," says transplant surgeon Nitin Katariya, M.D. "We are in control the whole time."

Goal of transplant

The transplant is more than just a treatment.

"For many of these patients on insulin, we can try to cure both issues: the kidney disease and what may have caused their kidney disease in the first place, their diabetes. And so we look at kidney-pancreas transplant together as a way to attack both problems and solve both problems," adds Dr. Katariya.

Steve's dad noticed an improvement right away.

"He said to me that I finally sound like his son again," says Steve.

Steve was discharged less than a week after his transplant. 

"He’s recovering very smoothly. He is done with dialysis, his kidney function is pretty much normal now, he is off insulin," says Dr. Nguyen.

For Steve, that means a future free of limitations.

"To be able to live, and travel again, be able to live life, and having that renewed spirit of being able to just do whatever I want–whenever I want–and not be tied down somewhere," says Steve.

Not everyone is a candidate for the robotic pancreas-kidney transplant. Doctors recommend talking to your healthcare team to determine what options are best for you.

Related stories:

• Mayo Clinic surgeons perform first robotic-assisted kidney transplant in Minnesota
• How a pancreas transplant can cure diabetes
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Reasons to be a living kidney donor
• From donation to Kilimanjaro: Living kidney donor defies limits (VIDEO)

The post Mayo Clinic announces first robotic pancreas-kidney transplant (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.