ROCHESTER, Minn. — Talking to loved ones about a recent head and neck cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Of course, there is no one “right” or “wrong” way to handle these conversations — or adjusting to your life with cancer. Everyone has their own pace, preferences and relationship patterns. But taking the time to consider your approach can help make these conversations more manageable.

If you have been diagnosed with a head and neck cancer, consider these tips to talk more openly with your loved ones.

Anxiety and fear are a natural response to a cancer diagnosis, says Eric Moore, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and medical director, International, Mayo Clinic.

“People justifiably want to know what this diagnosis means for them. Am I going to live? Is it going to require aggressive treatment?” he says. “One of the first things I say is to take a breath. There are specialists that are passionate about and have studied your disease. And the vast majority of cancers that are encountered are treatable and very many of them are likely curable.”

The next step is to learn as much as you can about your cancer diagnosis. If possible, Dr. Moore recommends having a loved one accompany you to appointments and take notes. That way, both you and your loved one have the opportunity to fully process and discuss the information shared.

From there, Dr. Moore says it is important to understand that head and neck cancer isn‘t a specific diagnosis. Rather, head and neck cancer is a general category that describes many different types of cancer that impact the head and neck region. Cancers in the mouth, tongue, tonsils, pharynx (throat), larynx (throat box), nasal cavity and other areas are all considered types of head and neck cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma — a type of cancer that develops in the skin cells that line the lips, sinuses, and inner mouth and throat — is one of the most common types of head and neck cancer. However, the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is on the rise in the United States. Often involving the tonsils and base of the tongue, oropharyngeal cancer is thought to be caused by exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.

Given the variety of head and neck cancers, it is key to talk with your care team about the exact type of cancer, stage and treatment options available. Having a firm grasp of your cancer diagnosis can also help you determine what to share with loved ones moving forward.

Consider when and how to talk to loved ones about your head and neck cancer

Before you begin disclosing your diagnosis, it can be helpful to first consider the different relationships in your life. It may be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Who do you want to talk to? For many people, this may be a partner, parent or close friend — anyone important to you who can provide emotional support throughout your cancer journey.
• Who do you need to talk to? From a practical or logistical standpoint, certain people in your life may need to be informed of a diagnosis sooner rather than later. For example, a caregiver may need to speak to your care team on your behalf or an employer may need to accommodate your treatment schedule.
• Who can you talk to at a later time? When you first receive a diagnosis, there are some people in your life who may not need to be informed immediately, for both personal and practical reasons. For example, you can speak with more-distant relatives and friends, neighbors and coworkers when you feel ready to talk.

Once you have a better understanding of who you’d like to speak to and when, it’s a good idea to think about the best method of communication. For a friend or family member, you may choose to make a personal phone call or set aside time to meet in person. If you’re talking with a child about a cancer diagnosis, being as open and honest as possible about both the diagnosis and your feelings are good first steps. In other situations, a text message, letter, email or even social media post may feel more appropriate.

Each method comes with its own considerations — a personal conversation can feel affirming, but over time it may be exhausting to speak so intimately with everyone in your life. On the other hand, a social media post may require less time and emotional investment, but it may be a less personal or private option. To avoid emotional burnout or repeating yourself multiple times to multiple people, you also may choose to lean on the support of a loved one to inform extended family and friends. That way, they can inform your support network about your diagnosis, the best ways to support you and any specific requests you may have.

Most people know that it’s important to ask for help, but this is often easier said than done. To start, determine exactly what kind of help you need — be it logistical or emotional — and who exactly can provide it.

For example, if you can’t drive to your medical appointments or struggle with eating during treatment, consider asking a reliable friend to create a rideshare or meal prep schedule. By delegating this task, your loved ones have a tangible, consistent way to provide support and you can rest easier knowing certain tasks are taken care of.

Other times, you may need space to talk about your feelings and concerns. Think about the core message or emotion you’d like heard. Are you looking to vent? Do you want advice or reassurances? Before starting a conversation, stating the exact type of feedback and support that you’re looking for can ensure you get what you need.

“If you don’t have that kind of support network of family and friends, that doesn’t mean it’s nonexistent,” says Dr. Moore. “I encourage you to discuss your concerns during the initial consultation with your healthcare professional.” In many situations, there are a number of resources your care team can connect you with, including support groups, care coordinators and social work programs.

Finally, if you are experiencing sleep deprivation, feel overwhelmed or fatigued, or notice any difficulties with concentration and memory, Dr. Moore says these are early signs that you may need more support.

Learn more about head and neck cancers and find a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic. Join the Head and Neck Cancer Support Group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic for patients and caregivers.

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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 How to talk to family and friends about a head and neck cancer diagnosis appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Curtis Jackson was living his dream life — a loving and supportive wife, three wonderful kids, and a future that looked as bright as could be.

Then, one day, without warning, the dream was shattered.

At only 46, Curtis was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, one of the deadliest and most aggressive forms of cancer. It's a silent killer that strikes the liver. It is often diagnosed in later stages, leaving patients with few treatment options and little time to live.

The Jackson family turned to Mayo Clinic, where a team of experts fought the cancer with a weapon rarely used in the battle against this aggressive form of cancer.

Watch: A rare cancer. A rare weapon. Curtis Jackson's inspiring story of survival.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:17) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

The rare cancer

Years before his cancer diagnosis, Curtis was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a chronic liver disease that causes inflammation and scarring to the bile ducts, which work with the liver to help with digestion.

PSC put the Arizona man at higher risk for liver cancer, requiring him to get regular diagnostic screenings. As with most forms of cancer, but particularly cholangiocarcinoma, doctors say early detection is key to improving patient outcomes.

However, with cholangiocarcinoma, there are often no warning signs or symptoms alerting patients of the need to consult with their doctor about getting screened, until it's too late. In Curtis' case, the cholangiocarcinoma was detected in one of his routine screenings at Mayo Clinic, which doctors say likely helped save his life.

"It's a very rare cancer that tends to grow unnoticed," says Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab, an oncologist with the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona. "If the cancer gets to the point where it's too advanced for surgery or transplantation, universally this is a noncurative or noncurable cancer."

The rare weapon

Doctors say a liver transplant can sometimes be an option for some patients. However, not many transplant centers perform liver transplants on patients diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Mayo Clinic is one of the few centers that do offer liver transplantation for some patients who meet certain criteria.

In Curtis' case, doctors at Mayo Clinic determined a liver transplant was his best chance for survival.

"It is a unique form of therapy that is based on research that started at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota," says Dr. Bashar Aqel, director of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center in Arizona.

"We developed some protocols that helped us improve the outcome of transplant in these patients, and without these protocols, a lot of patients with this type of cancer would not make it to transplant," says Dr. Aqel.

The treatment

Curtis first underwent chemotherapy and radiation at Mayo Clinic. He was then placed on the liver transplant waiting list for a donor organ. While waiting, Curtis says he kept his focus on his family.

"I spent all the time I could with my wife and kids, like basketball practices, homework, anything we could do to help our kids," says Curtis.

When Curtis got the call a donor organ was found, he immediately reported to Mayo Clinic to undergo his lifesaving liver transplant. The surgery was a success. Four weeks later, Curtis was back at home with family recovering well and feeling a deep sense of gratitude for his organ donor and his team at Mayo Clinic.

"Thank you because now I get to see my daughters get married, go to college, I get to see my son live his dreams and go to college and get married," says Curtis. "I get to live and grow old with my wife. I can't say this enough to everyone, 'thank you.'"

"We're already observing excellent function from Curtis' new liver, with the majority of his liver tests returning normal results," says Dr. Aqel. "His recovery has been remarkably swift and impressive."

"A lot of love goes out to the people in that family," says Gwyn Jackson, Curtis' oldest daughter in reference to the organ donor's family. "They allowed us to have our dad back and we're so grateful because we love him so much."

Doctors at Mayo Clinic are monitoring Curtis' progress closely. Meanwhile, Curtis' future is back to looking bright, only now with even deeper gratitude in his heart.

"This truly is the gift of life," says Curtis.

Related stories:

• (VIDEO) Breathing easy thanks to the gift of life and new Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona
• Breaking barriers: Helping Native Americans in need get the gift of life
• Jessie’s Journey
• (VIDEO) Harnessing the power of innovation and a patient’s will to survive

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For most athletes, the road to the Olympics is paved with years of training and sacrifice. As professional tennis player Gaby Dabrowski was preparing for her 2024 season and a chance to play in the Summer Olympics, her journey took an unexpected detour. A diagnosis of breast cancer threatened her dream and her life.

What followed was a carefully coordinated plan at Mayo Clinic, designed not only to treat the cancer but also to preserve her ability to compete on the world stage.

Watch: Gaby Dabrowski's story

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (2:05) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"I started playing tennis when I was 7 years old," Gaby says. "Growing up, the Olympics were always on TV for two weeks in the summer, so it was always my dream to compete at the Olympics."

Heading into the 2024 season, Gaby was ready to realize her childhood dream. But when she found a lump on her breast, Gaby's focus went immediately to her health.

Dr. Jennifer Maynard, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician specializing in sports medicine, helped coordinate Gaby's care.

"We recommended a pretty urgent evaluation, as she was over 30, we wanted to get the mammogram and the ultrasound," says Dr. Maynard.

Those results were abnormal. A breast MRI followed, then a biopsy confirmed the lump was cancer.

"When I was diagnosed, I didn't know if I would be able to play tennis again," Gaby says.

"She knew her ultimate goal was to be an Olympian at the Paris Olympics, so we had to be innovative and think outside the box," says Dr. Maynard.

Gaby's care team had to consider how to treat her cancer in a way that avoided the muscles used in playing tennis.

In the spring of 2024, she underwent surgery, then targeted radiation. Treatment was successful, and Gaby was cancer-free.

"Even though I wasn't playing on court and playing the game that I love, it was like swapping in the care team as my partners," Gaby says.

As soon as her care team cleared her, Gaby resumed training. Her dedication paid off in Paris. Gaby and her doubles partner earned an Olympic bronze medal, living out a dream.

"When I was on the podium holding the medal, I really just felt full elation," Gaby says. "I didn't feel like it was just a win for me. I felt like it was a win for everyone: my best friends, my parents, my coaching team, my care team."

Gaby has continued to find success on the court in tournaments and off, as an advocate for personal health.

"I certainly have a newfound appreciation for playing a sport as my job, but at the same time, if you took it away from me right now, I'd be OK because I have my health, and that's the most important thing," Gaby says.

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Cancer, stroke, bone loss among diseases and conditions studied in microgravity

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Mayo Clinic physician and researcher Dr. Abba Zubair’s work combines two passions — medicine and space — for the benefit of astronauts and people on Earth. His research in space is yielding discoveries in cancer, stroke, bone loss and more. In this expert alert, Dr. Zubair answers five questions about his studies in microgravity.

What are you hoping to accomplish through your research?

"The goal is to harness the uniqueness of the space environment for the betterment of humanity, be it on Earth or in space," Dr. Zubair says."We wanted to take advantage of the environment at the International Space Station to study how it affects human physiology."

The absence of gravity and the impacts of radiation and vacuum are three fundamental aspects of the uniqueness of space, adds Dr. Zubair, who has sent three research projects to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2017, with more to come.

As a regenerative biotherapeutics specialist, Dr. Zubair's work focuses in part on adult stem cells — known as mesenchymal stem cells —and their use in future treatments for stroke. He noted that he uses stem cells in regenerative medicine and in supporting Mayo's bone marrow transplant program.

"I also know how challenging it is to grow them in the lab. One of the first fundamentals is to see how the absence of gravity influences how stem cells divide and the growth rate," Dr. Zubair explains. "We wanted to see whether cells grown in space are any better or grow faster than cells grown in the lab. When we did our first space flight, we had a really interesting finding, because we realized that the absence of gravity affects stem cells, but it depends on the type of stem cells."  

That led Dr. Zubair to another project on the ISS: studying how mesenchymal stem cells, the precursor for bone-forming cells, play a role in bone formation or osteoporosis, bone loss. He notes that astronauts tend to lose bone density despite rigorous exercise. 

How might your research benefit people with cancer?

Dr. Zubair is also studying how leukemia stem cells, the cells that form the seed of this blood cancer, respond to the space environment.

"We are also working to understand the impact of space radiation, from the angle of how we can mitigate the effect of radiation and prevent cancer," Dr. Zubair says. "In the long run, we really want to protect astronauts, especially during long-term space travel, such as to Mars, where they would be deep in space and away from any magnetic field protection that we get from Earth."

The research also may benefit people on Earth by revealing how to protect stem cells or cells in general when there is radiation exposure, such as nuclear accidents, he adds.

In addition, Dr. Zubair's space research could have implications for CAR-T treatment, bone marrow transplants or other therapies for cancer patients.

"If we can understand how stem cells in space, especially hematopoietic stem cells (cells that live in the bone marrow and produce cells that function in the blood), expand and differentiate to make immune cells like T cells, microphages, we will learn how to make them more efficiently," Dr. Zubair says.

You've remarked that you can envision a time when people might go into space to receive certain medical treatments. How would that work, and might it be possible to simulate microgravity for those treatments on Earth?

If cells proliferate more in space, for example if cancer cells go into what is called cell cycle and multiply abnormally when they proliferate, then chemotherapy will be more effective, Dr. Zubair says.

"If that is the case, that absence of gravity can induce leukemia cells or other cancer cells to go into cell cycle, that makes them susceptible to chemotherapy," he explains. "So instead of giving the chemo on Earth, you might go into space where the absence of gravity makes the cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy. That would be one more reason to go to space. That is definitely something that I would love to explore."

It would be difficult to create a comparable microgravity environment on Earth, but technically, it could be done, Dr. Zubair adds.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network."

"Microgravity on Earth is basically like going into a swimming pool, a state of buoyancy where you are kind of in suspension; the gravity is canceled out by the effect of the water," he says. "Now, obviously it wouldn't be pleasant to be in water for quite some time. In the lab, we use a microgravity simulator where cells are suspended. It would be interesting if you could do the same for a human being."

What attracted you to space research?

Dr. Zubair grew up in Kano, Nigeria, and remembers gazing at the night sky as a child.

"As far back as I can remember, I was always fascinated by what is out there in space. Looking at the moon and all the stars, and really that ignites my passion for space and space exploration," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair's first dream was to become an astronaut, but an adviser in high school counseled him to find a more practical career, and he pursued medicine.

What's next?

One of Dr. Zubair's next two payloads to the International Space Station, not yet scheduled for launch, will examine whether umbilical cord blood cells, rich in stem cells and potential therapeutic value, can be expanded. Another study will explore different cell types that participate in bone formation and whether the problem of bone loss in space can be alleviated through use of a special compound. 

"If it works, then definitely we will see how we can treat patients with osteoporosis, particularly women, cancer patients, or people who are bedridden for a long time and are not weight-bearing, which affects their bone," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair notes that all of his space experiments are done in parallel on Earth with identical cells to compare the two results and validate the findings from space.

 "I really think there is a lot out there that is just waiting for us to explore and use," he says. "And that's why I do what I do."

Dr. Zubair has been honored by NASA with the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for demonstrating that human-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown aboard the International Space Station could be used for potential clinical applications.

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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 Mayo Clinic researcher harnesses uniqueness of space to advance medicine on Earth appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PHOENIX — Dr. Allison Rosenthal's experience facing a leukemia diagnosis while in medical school inspired her to pursue a career fighting cancer. It also gave her insight into aspects of life with cancer for people under 40. Now, Dr. Rosenthal is among the leaders of an effort at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center to help younger adults and older teens receive age-appropriate care and support. In this expert alert, Dr. Rosenthal shares three topics that younger people with cancer often want to discuss with their healthcare teams.

"I have a very big passion and motivation to take care of our younger cancer patients," Dr. Rosenthal explains. "These are some of the people who need the most support after treatment."

Advances in cancer treatments have made many of the cancers most common in younger people highly treatable and often curable, Dr. Rosenthal says.

Worldwide, roughly 1.3 million people ages 15 to 39 were diagnosed with cancer in 2022, the most recent statistics available, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The most common cancers in that age group were breast, thyroid, cervical, testicular, ovarian, blood cancers (leukemias and lymphomas) and colorectal, agency figures show.

While long-term disease control or a cure is the objective, completing treatment doesn't necessarily mean that a younger person's experience with cancer is over, she adds.

"That means many adolescent or young adult cancer patients go on to live long lives, leaving them to navigate cancer survivorship for decades," says Dr. Rosenthal, a hematologist and oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. "There is the emotional impact that comes along with having experienced cancer, and that can be significant as they try to move forward in life. And there are also the physical effects and the long-lasting impact of that."

In addition to being a time of transition from pediatric medical care to adult care, the late teens and young adulthood typically are times of major life changes, adding challenges on top of cancer. The adolescent and young adult cancer program "is predicated on the idea that centering care around their unique needs improves their experience and outcomes," Dr. Rosenthal explains. In addition to individual feedback from patients, the program has a patient advisory council whose participants share what is important to them.

"We've tried to prioritize what we're working on based on the feedback we're getting from our patients who are in the midst of this experience," she says.

Dr. Rosenthal has observed that questions on these three topics are often on the minds of patients in their late teens, 20s and 30s during and after cancer treatment:

• Wellness behaviors and exercise.

"There are guidelines and recommendations for lifestyle choices including exercise, but it's a little bit hard to access those and to hold themselves accountable to pursue them," Dr. Rosenthal says.

• Connection with peers with cancer and additional support to know that they're not alone.

"And when their peers move on, to feel that they aren't left behind," Dr. Rosenthal explains.

• Sexual health and relationships.

"It's difficult for people to navigate," Dr. Rosenthal says. "It can be uncomfortable to ask about. It's hard to tell their peers about. There's a lot of work going into what we can proactively do to best support them."

Fertility can be impacted by cancer and its treatment, making conversations about fertility preservation important.

Another priority for the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program is advance care planning. For older people with advanced cancers, involving palliative care earlier often helps them live longer and have a better quality of life, Dr. Rosenthal notes. That same approach could help younger patients.

"We're working on an advance care planning project specifically for young people with advanced cancers, to empower them to have a voice when they have time to have a voice, and not have that taken from them as well," Dr. Rosenthal says. "I know there's so much that can be done. Long-term outcomes, survivorship, quality of life — all of that is very important."

The program takes a multidisciplinary approach, including cancer specialists, social workers, health psychologists, and financial and vocational counselors.

"We're really fortunate that the majority of young adult patients who get cancer care are going to do well in the long term; there's going to be a lot of long-term survivors," Dr. Rosenthal says. "But if we aren't paying attention to the long-term treatment side effects, quality of life and the monitoring and maintenance of health, then we aren't providing the full service for these patients that they really deserve."

JOURNALISTS: Global, regional and national statistics on cancer in people ages 15 to 39 are available here.

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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 Cancer before 40: Mayo Clinic expert shares 3 topics that younger patients often want to discuss appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a bold step to transform cancer care, Mayo Clinic is bringing new hope for patients diagnosed with the most aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers. Today, Mayo Clinic opened the new 228,000-square-foot Duan Family Building at its Jacksonville, Florida location. The building will house the first carbon ion therapy program in the Americas, and advanced technology that can seamlessly deliver both carbon ions and protons to treat the same tumor. 

"Carbon ion therapy and other heavy particle therapies are the advanced radiation therapies of our future," says Cheryl Willman, M.D., executive director, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. "When battling our patients' complex, currently radioresistant cancers at Mayo Clinic, we need the advantage of these next-gen radiation tools, which can be fine-tuned to target and treat aggressive tumors while minimizing the impact to surrounding tissue."

As a leading National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with locations in Florida, Minnesota and Arizona, Mayo Clinic is uniquely qualified to bring carbon ion therapy, as well as the dual carbon ion and proton treatment option, to the Americas.

"Mayo Clinic is building a better future where more cures are possible — giving new hope to patients with aggressive cancers," says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic. "This is the latest demonstration of our commitment to patient-centered healthcare transformation through our Bold. Forward. strategy."

While treatment with carbon ion therapy is expected to begin in 2028 and proton therapy in 2027, the opening of the Duan Family Building marks a significant milestone. Beginning this summer, other cancer treatment options will be offered in the new building, including photon therapy, immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy (CAR-T cell therapy) and more, along with sophisticated imaging technology.

"The emerging treatments that will be offered in the Duan Family Building, including carbon ion therapy, are an important part of the integrated cancer practice at Mayo Clinic, ensuring constant, research-driven innovation in the care we are providing to patients," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. 

Mayo Clinic researchers, working with outside global experts, are also exploring the use of other heavy ions beyond carbon in clinical studies to evaluate their potential benefits in future cancer care.

This building and the advances in cancer care treatment technology housed within represent a significant investment, largely thanks to the generosity and vision of our benefactors. 

Advancing radiation therapy

Many patients with cancer require radiation therapy during their treatment. Different forms of radiation therapy have varying biological impacts on cancer cells.

• Photon therapy: This is the most common form of radiation therapy, which uses X-rays or gamma rays — packets of light energy called photons — to treat cancer. Beams are directed at the tumor, preventing the cancer cells from growing or dividing.

• Proton beam therapy: This particle therapy directs a precise dose of positively charged particles (protons) at cancer cells, destroying their genetic material while minimizing the impact on surrounding, healthy cells. This is especially beneficial for treating tumors near vital organs and cancer in children.

• Carbon ion therapy: This heavy particle therapy delivers positively charged particles (carbon ions) that release their energy upon hitting the targeted cancerous tumor. The particles destroy cancer cells with very little damage to surrounding tissue. It is particularly effective against cancer cells that are resistant to other forms of radiation.

Advances in radiation therapies, such as carbon ion and dual modality treatments of proton beam and carbon ion, enable clinicians to create highly individualized, precise and effective treatments, ultimately bringing more cures to patients.  

How radiation therapies work

In 2019, Mayo Clinic and technology innovator Hitachi began working together to bring carbon ion therapy to the Americas. While carbon ion therapy was discovered in the United States in the 1970s, the technology has only been available for clinical care at a handful of centers in Asia and Europe.

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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: 

• Tia R. Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

Media kit:

• Duan Family Building media kit with soundbites, images, animation

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Late-breaking abstract featured at ASCO 2025

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Colon cancer is the third most prevalent form of cancer in the U.S., and while screening has helped detect and prevent colon cancer from spreading, major advancements in treating colon cancer have lagged.

Now, new research led by Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center found that adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy after surgery for patients with stage 3 (node-positive) colon cancer — and with a specific genetic makeup called deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) — was associated with a 50% reduction in cancer recurrence and death compared to chemotherapy alone. Approximately 15% of people diagnosed with colon cancer exhibit dMMR and, to date, these tumors appear less sensitive to chemotherapy. The results of the multi-center study were presented during a plenary session at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

"The findings from our study represent a major advance in the adjuvant treatment of dMMR stage 3 colon cancer and will now change the treatment for this type of cancer," says oncologist Frank Sinicrope, M.D., who led the study. "It's extremely rewarding to be able to offer our patients a new treatment regimen that can reduce the risk of recurrence and improve their chances of survival."

Until now, the standard treatment after surgery for any stage 3 colon cancer has been chemotherapy. However, the researchers note that approximately 30% of patients experience cancer recurrence despite this treatment. 

Watch: Dr. Frank Sinicrope discusses Mayo Clinic immunotherapy study

Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites with Dr. Frank Sinicrope are in the downloads at the end of the post. Please "Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network."

The clinical trial enrolled 712 patients with dMMR stage 3 colon cancer that had been surgically removed and who had cancer cells in their lymph nodes. The immunotherapy given in this study was an immune checkpoint inhibitor, known as atezolizumab, which activates one's immune system to attack and kill cancer cells, which are responsible for cancer recurrence and spread. The patients — who lived in the U.S. and Germany — received chemotherapy for six months along with immunotherapy and then continued with immunotherapy alone for another six months.

Dr. Sinicrope and others previously studied patients with colon cancer whose cells are unable to repair errors during DNA replication that create a nucleotide mismatch, a condition called dMMR. They noted that these patients' tumors showed a striking increase in inflammatory cells within the tumor, including those that express the target of immune checkpoint inhibitors. This sparked the idea of using immune checkpoint inhibitors to make the immune cells more effective in attacking and killing the cancer cells.   

Based on the data from this study, Dr. Sinicrope recommends this combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatment to be the new standard treatment for stage 3 deficient mismatch repair colon cancer. The research team plans to approach the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a nonprofit organization consisting of 33 leading cancer centers, including Mayo Clinic, with this recommendation.  

The study included patients with Lynch syndrome, the most common form of hereditary colon cancer, as these patients can have tumors that show deficient mismatch repair (dMMR).

"We're changing the paradigm in colon cancer treatment. By using immunotherapy at earlier stages of disease, we are achieving meaningful benefits for our patients," says Dr. Sinicrope.

Review the abstract for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding. 

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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 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:

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

The post Immunotherapy boosts chemotherapy in combating stage 3 colon cancer appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers will present their latest oncology findings at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, scheduled to be held May 30–June 3 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. The event, recognized as one of the largest gatherings in the field of cancer research, will feature 59 Mayo Clinic-authored abstracts highlighting advancements in cancer care.

Among the standout presentations are practice-changing studies focused on chemotherapy approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) applications in oncology, cancer care at home and new therapies for breast cancer and melanoma — all focused on improving treatment options for patients with cancer.

Highlights include:

Plenary Session: Randomized trial of standard chemotherapy alone or combined with atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for patients with stage 3 deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) colon cancer (Alliance A021502; ATOMIC)
Presentation time: Sunday, June 1, 1:05 to 1:17 p.m. CDT
Session title: Special Sessions
Presenter: Frank Sinicrope, M.D., medical oncologist and gastroenterologist

Clinical Science Symposium: Perception and concerns of the hematology and oncology (HemOnc) workforce about artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice (CliPr) and medical education (MedED)
Presentation time: Saturday, May 31, 2:03 to 2:15 p.m. CDT
Session title: The Future Is Now: Innovations in Medical Education
Presenter: Guilherme Sacchi de Camargo Correia, M.D., oncology fellow (senior author is Rami Manochakian, M.D., thoracic medical oncologist)

Oral Abstract Session: Tissue-free circulating tumor DNA assay and patient outcome in a phase 3 trial of FOLFOX-based adjuvant chemotherapy (Alliance N0147)
Presentation time: Friday, May 30, 3:57 to 4:09 p.m. CDT
Session title: Gastrointestinal Cancer — Colorectal and Anal
Presenter: Frank Sinicrope, M.D., medical oncologist and gastroenterologist

Oral Abstract Session: [212Pb]VMT-α-NET therapy in somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) expressing neuroendocrine tumors (NETs): Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) observation participants after one-year follow-up and preliminary report for expansion participants.
Presentation time: Friday, May 30, 4:09 to 4:21 p.m. CDT
Session title: Developmental Therapeutics — Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology
Presenter: Thorvardur Halfdanarson, M.D., medical oncologist       

Oral Abstract Session: NeoACTIVATE arm C: Phase II trial of neoadjuvant atezolizumab and tiragolumab for high-risk operable stage 3 melanoma
Presentation time: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 10:45 a.m. to 10:57 a.m. CDT
Session title: Melanoma/Skin Cancers
Presenter: Tina Hieken, M.D., breast and melanoma surgical oncologist

Poster Session: Cancer Care Beyond Walls (CCBW): A randomized pragmatic trial of home-based versus in-clinic cancer therapy administration
Session time: Sunday, June 1, 9 a.m. to noon CDT
Session title: Care Delivery and Quality Care
Presenter: Roxana Dronca, M.D., medical oncologist and the site deputy director of Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida

Poster Session: A pilot single-arm, pragmatic trial in progress of in-home versus in-clinic subcutaneous nivolumab administration through Cancer Care Beyond Walls (CCBW) program (connected access and remote expertise)
Session time: Sunday, June 1, 9 a.m. to noon CDT
Session Title: Care Delivery/Models of Care
Presenter: Dina Elantably, M.B., B.CH., oncology fellow (senior author is Roxana Dronca, M.D., medical oncologist and the site deputy director of Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida)

Poster Session: Initial results of MC200710 investigating therapeutic vaccine (PDS0101) alone or with pembrolizumab prior to surgery or radiation therapy for locally advanced HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma, a phase 2 window of opportunity trial
Session time: Monday, June 2, 9 a.m. to noon CDT
Session title: Head and Neck Cancer
Presenter: David Routman, M.D., radiation oncologist

Poster Session: ALISertib in combination with endocrine therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2–) recurrent or metastatic breast cancer: The phase 2 ALISCA-Breast1 study
Session time: Monday, June 2, 9 a.m. to noon CDT
Session title: Breast Cancer — Metastatic
Presenter: Tufia Haddad, M.D., medical oncologist

Poster Session: Estrogen receptor expression in residual breast cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Session time: Monday, June 2, 9 a.m. to noon CDT
Session title: Breast Cancer — Local/Regional/Adjuvant
Presenter: Sarah Premji, M.D., oncology fellow (senior author is Matthew Goetz, M.D., breast medical oncologist, and the Erivan K. Haub Family Professor of Cancer Research Honoring Richard F. Emslander, M.D.)

For more information about 2025 ASCO visit: https://www.asco.org/annual-meeting.

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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 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 on-site at ASCO:

• Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Communications, 507-202-8655, luckstein.kelley@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic experts present key cancer research findings at ASCO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

International Thyroid Awareness Week is May 25-31

ROCHESTER, Minnesota— Globally, women are roughly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. However, recent research shows that men face an equal risk. Mayo Clinic experts say that men and women alike should be aware of thyroid cancer risk.

The thyroid is a small gland located at the front of your neck. It plays a role in regulating the body's metabolism. Thyroid cancer happens when cells in the thyroid develop changes in their DNA. 

Worldwide, thyroid cancer is the seventh most common cancer, statistics from the Global Cancer Observatory show.

Most forms of thyroid cancer can be cured, and minimally invasive surgery may be an option, sometimes sparing much of the noncancerous thyroid gland tissue, says Dr. Eric Moore, a head and neck surgeon and chair of otolaryngology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and medical director, Mayo Clinic International.

“Some thyroid cancer, though rarer, is very aggressive and more difficult to treat,” Dr. Moore adds. “While these were once thought untreatable, we have made great strides in treatment of the most aggressive of these cancers, and our research and treatment have made transformative strides in the outcomes for our patients with these types of thyroid cancer.”

It’s not known in most cases what caused the DNA changes that triggered thyroid cancer: Exposure to high levels of radiation, such as radiation therapy to the head and neck, may increase the risk, and some types of thyroid cancer may run in families.

In the past, it was believed that women developed thyroid cancer more than men. However, more recent data shows that women are often diagnosed with a less aggressive, relatively non-life-threatening form of thyroid cancer: When it comes to advanced thyroid cancer, the risks are the same for both men and women.

"Men have a risk, and we're not catching them as much," says Dr. Victor Bernet, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

The reason is unclear. But one theory is that women are more proactive about their health and seeing their doctor regularly, leading to more diagnoses.

"So, in actuality, they probably don't have as much of a higher risk than we thought," explains Dr. Bernet.

Thyroid cancer might not cause any symptoms at first. But as it grows, it can cause signs and symptoms, such as swelling in your neck; changes to your voice, such as increased hoarseness; neck and throat pain; and difficulty swallowing.

Most people with thyroid cancer that requires treatment will have surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. Which operation your health care team might recommend depends on your type of thyroid cancer, the size of the cancer and it has spread beyond the thyroid to the lymph nodes. Your care team also considers your preferences when creating a treatment plan.

Operations used to treat thyroid cancer include:

• Removing all or most of the thyroid (thyroidectomy). An operation to remove the thyroid gland might involve removing all of the thyroid tissue (total thyroidectomy) or most of the thyroid tissue (near-total thyroidectomy). The surgeon often leaves small rims of thyroid tissue around the parathyroid glands to reduce the risk of damage to the parathyroid glands, which help regulate the calcium levels in your blood.
• Removing a portion of the thyroid (thyroid lobectomy). During a thyroid lobectomy, the surgeon removes half of the thyroid. Lobectomy might be recommended if you have a slow-growing thyroid cancer in one part of the thyroid, no suspicious nodules in other areas of the thyroid and no signs of cancer in the lymph nodes.
• Removing lymph nodes in the neck (lymph node dissection). Thyroid cancer often spreads to nearby lymph nodes in the neck. An ultrasound examination of the neck before surgery may reveal signs that cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes. If so, the surgeon may remove some of the lymph nodes in the neck for testing.

At Mayo Clinic, people with thyroid cancer are cared for by a team that includes a variety of specialties, such as endocrinologists; endocrine and head and neck surgeons; ear, nose and throat specialists; oncologists; radiologists; and pathologists. Team members have access to the latest technology, techniques and evidence, and weigh treatment options to create a personalized plan for each patient.

Among Mayo physicians dedicated to treating thyroid cancer, Mayo Clinic’s Advanced Thyroid Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic focuses on advanced and aggressive thyroid cancers. Mayo researchers are studying the full range of the disease, from early stages to advanced cancers, to constantly refine the understanding and approach to all aspects of thyroid cancer and help physicians achieve the best outcomes for patients.

JOURNALISTS: Global, regional and national statistics on thyroid cancer are available here (free log-in may be required).

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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 Understanding your risk: Are women likelier to have thyroid cancer than men are? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Editor’s Note: May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month 

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.  More than 6 million adults are treated for it each year, says Dr. Michael Colgan, a Mayo Clinic Health System dermatologist in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer. In 2025, an estimated 104,960 cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S., and an estimated 8,430 people will die of melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. When detected early, however, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.

When it comes to who may be most at risk of developing melanoma, it is often thought that those with darker complexions do not have to take the same precautions as those with fair complexions. The reality is that no one is immune to melanoma. 

While people with a darker complexion may have significantly increased protection from the sun, they are still prone to developing melanoma skin cancer. More commonly for those with a darker complexion, melanoma develops on the extremities — hands and feet — with worse tumors at the time of diagnosis and poorer subsequent outcomes if not caught early.

Skin checks

That is why it is incredibly important to become familiar with your skin and conduct regular skin exams at home. When performing skin checks, you'll want to look out for:

• A new growth on the skin that might look like a mole, bump or scab.
• A rough patch on the skin.
• A sore on the skin that won’t heal.
• Changes to a mole or freckle — getting bigger or changing color.
• Itchy skin around a skin growth.
• Pain around a skin growth.

Regardless of your skin color, if you notice any of the above, then you should see a healthcare professional. A skin check by a dermatologist usually only takes a few minutes, but that short time spent in the doctor's office could add years to your life if skin cancer is detected early.

For higher risk individuals, including those with a personal or family history of melanoma, people over age 65, those with a suppressed immune system, people that burn easily, as well as those who have light-colored eyes and hair, a baseline evaluation with a dermatologist is critical and then continued at recommended intervals going forward, as determined by your healthcare team.

Most skin cancers can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions to protect yourself from the sun. It is recommended that you wear sunscreen year-round and reapply during peak sun conditions. 

The post  Who should be screened for skin cancer? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.