The field of medical oncology has continued to evolve over the past few years. There has been an explosion in our basic understanding of the mechanisms of cancer, and this research is now paying off with drugs specifically targeting the molecular defects in certain malignancies being developed. Many are in the process of passing clinical trials, and have or will soon appear in community clinics. One such drug is Gleevec, for chronic myeloid leukemia. Iressa, another biologic of use in several malignancies, but especially head and neck, and lung cancer, hopefully will be approved in the near future. This will yet again increase the number of available treatment options for our patients.

Newer chemotherapy also continue to be developed and approved, the latest being Oxaliplatin for colon cancer. New drugs, along with improvements that are continually being made in managing the side effects of treatment, are allowing our patients to live longer and with an improved quality of life.

Our cancer program continues to be very strong, using a multi-disciplinary approach, and with a very caring, dedicated staff. We continue to strive for the best of cancer care for patients in our community.

S. Paul Dang, MD
Hematology/Medical Oncology