Understanding Childhood Cancer With Dr Geoff: Recent Episodes
Dr Geoffey McCowage, Senior Paediatric Oncologist, Sydney, Australia
Understanding Childhood Cancer with Dr Geoff.
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There is a special subtype of neuroblastoma seen in very young children, with spread of disease throughout the body, but which needs a very different approach to treatment compared to older children with metastatic disease. This episode explains the features of this stage MS neuroblastoma, the early problems, and the treatment used. Link to Patreon
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A few years ago I described CAR T-cells, but they weren't available for routine use. I now update things, with the very important news about CAR T-cell therapy now becoming available. There is also an interview with Dr Caroline Bateman re this subject in another episode. Link to Patreon
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We take a lot of blood samples looking for infection in the bloodstream. This episode explains what blood cultures are all about. Link to Patreon
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A number of countries have research studies where childhood cancers are analysed in great detail, testing all the DNA in something called 'molecular profiling'. The national Australian study of this is called PRISM, and it is a very exciting project. This episode explains a molecular profiling project and covers issues of obtaining informed consent from parents and patients as well. Link to Patreon
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Sophisticated techniques can detect one cancer cell amongst a million normal cells. This episode describes these methods and how they are used in treatment. Link to Patreon
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For many years we didn't biopsy the tumour when the scans suggested that the tumour was a DIPG. This episode explains why that has changed, and the emerging role of biopsy. Link to Patreon
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DIPG is a type of brain tumor which occurs in children. This episode explains what the letters mean. Link to Patreon
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Ifosfamide is another chemotherapy drug, used particularly in certain sarcomas and certain patients with leukaemia. This episode explains how it is given, and common and rare side effects. Link to Patreon
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We often need to evaluate heart function during chemotherapy. This episode explains what the tests are, and why we need to do them. Link to Patreon
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At the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in June 2016, a study was presented looking at using two autologous bone marrow transplants in neuroblastoma. The results were exciting.... Link to Patreon
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In this episode I read out for you an article written by Dr Susan Cohn from the University of Chicago. Dr Cohn is an eminent paediatric oncologist, and a world expert on children's cancer trials, particularly in neuroblastoma. Link to Patreon
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When families find themselves in a hospital, they meet all sorts of doctors with all sorts of titles, residents, interns, fellows, registrars. This episode explains who's who in the childhood cancer medical team. Link to Patreon
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Chemotherapy can make the white blood cell count drop, predisposing to infection. These drugs work to boost white blood cell production. Link to Patreon
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I talked about MIBG scans previously. In this episode I discuss the use of high doses of MIBG as a treatment of neuroblastoma. Link to Patreon
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Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: What's special about the AYA's? by Dr Geoff Link to Patreon
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MIBG scans are used to evaluate and monitor neuroblastoma. Link to Patreon
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My Christmas Special episode. Includes the Top 12 people who deserve a Christmas present more than the oncologist. Link to Patreon
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Parents always ask why their child developed cancer. They ask if it is genetic, meaning is it something hereditary, or some abnormality in the DNA that the child was born with. In this episode I discuss a recent paper that examined this question. Link to Patreon
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There are multiple ways to go looking for DNA, RNA and protein abnormalities. Many should still be considered research, not standard practice, but they may well be part of the future of cancer therapy. Link to Patreon
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Lymphomas make up about 11% of childhood cancer, and there are several different types. Link to Patreon
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There's multiple ways the DNA code can get messed up and lead to cancer. This episode describes some of them, along with some little green men. Link to Patreon
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The proteins have to have the right amino acids all assembled in the right order, and the DNA code is the recipe that's used. This episode explains how the correct DNA leads to the right protein being made. Link to Patreon
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To understand all this DNA analysis business, first one needs to know a bit about proteins. Proteins basically do all the work in cells, and so DNA mutations interfere with protein structures.Serious geek alert! Link to Patreon
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Gliomas are a type of brain tumour, and are usually called 'low grade' or 'high grade'. What do these terms mean? Link to Patreon
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Some chemotherapy drugs don't get into the brain and spinal fluid properly, so we have to inject drugs into the spinal fluid. This is mainly in leukaemia and lymphoma. Link to Patreon
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We often need to take samples of the spinal fluid, and regularly inject chemotherapy drugs there too. We do this using a lumbar puncture. Link to Patreon
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When eating and nasogastric feeding aren't working, we may need to give nutrition straight into the vein. That's called TPN or hyperalimentation. Link to Patreon
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There's a lot of discussion about 'personalised medicine'. What is personalised oncology? Link to Patreon
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If children just can't eat enough, we may need a feeding tube. This episode explains what these tubes are all about. Link to Patreon
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If nutrition is so important, then what food should kids eat while on chemotherapy? Link to Patreon
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Children on chemotherapy can really struggle to maintain their weight. This episode explains why. Link to Patreon
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Exciting new antibodies against cancer were reported at ASCO this year. This episode explains how they work. Will they end up useful in childhood cancer? Link to Patreon
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The doctors and nurses keep raving on about fevers, not cancer.... what's this all about?This information may be life-saving. Link to Patreon
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Most new drugs for cancer are first evaluated in adult patients, then we wait, and wait for access for children. The Europeans appear to have this sorted out. Link to Patreon
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High dose methotrexate is used in leukaemia, lymphoma, osteosarcoma and certain brain tumours. We give a sky-high dose, then give the antidote, folinic acid, to 'rescue' the patient! Link to Patreon
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Phase 3 trials are the big studies that compare a new treatment to the existing standard treatment. They enrol lots of patients and take years to complete. Link to Patreon
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How do we decide what clinical trials to open at a given institution? Link to Patreon
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Why I took two days off, and why kids on chemo should go to school (usually) by Dr Geoff Link to Patreon
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Platelets are tiny little cells that make blood clot properly. They go low after chemotherapy sometimes, and we often end up giving a platelet transfusion. That's one reason why blood donors save lives!This episode explains all about platelet transfusions. Link to Patreon
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We rely on central lines enormously, but they can bring their own problems. This episode describes the common things that can go wrong with a central line. Link to Patreon
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We often have to give blood transfusions following chemotherapy. This episode explains why we end up needing transfusions, when we give them, and what to expect. Link to Patreon
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AML requires chemotherapy treatment, and sometimes bone marrow transplantation. Link to Patreon
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We use phase 2 trials to conduct an initial evaluation of whether a new therapy has activity against cancer or leukaemia. This episode describes how phase 2 trials are performed. Link to Patreon
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Phase I trials are the studies we do to work out the safety and dosing of new drugs. This podcast explains how they are conducted in adults and children. Link to Patreon
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Clinical trials are core business in childhood cancer units. It is through clinical trials that we have worked out what treatments are effective, and future trials will lead to further gains. This episode describes what a clinical trial is, and introduces some of the key concepts. Link to Patreon
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This episode describes the two types of central lines that are generally used in children receiving chemotherapy. Link to Patreon
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Acute myeloid leukaemia is the second main form of leukaemia in childhood. This podcast explains what the disease is, and the tests and treatments done at initial diagnosis. Link to Patreon
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Most children on chemotherapy need a central line to give drugs into the veins. This episode explains why we need a central line. Link to Patreon
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We often collect bone marrow stem cells from the bloodstream these days, either to transplant from one person to another, or to freeze and use for a patient later on. This episode describes the procedures used. Link to Patreon
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Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug that is particularly used in osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, germ cell tumours and others. This episode describes how it is given and the important side effects. Link to Patreon
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Finding a suitable bone marrow donor requires testing of the tissue type or HLA type using a blood test. This episode describes what these tests are all about, and who may end up a suitable donor for an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Link to Patreon
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Autologous bone marrow transplant uses the patient's own bone marrow, and is most commonly used in neuroblastoma, certain brain tumours, and certain other solid tumours. Link to Patreon
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Doctors use too much jargon sometimes. This episode explains some of these terms that get thrown around. Link to Patreon
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Cyclophosphamide is used in many different types of childhood cancer. This episode describes how it is given, for which diseases, and possible side effects. Link to Patreon
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Bone marrow transplantation is important in certain children with cancer. This episode describes the basic components of performing a bone marrow transplant. Link to Patreon
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Medulloblastoma is the commonest malignant brain tumour in childhood. This podcast describes the investigations and treatment of medulloblastoma. Link to Patreon
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What is radiotherapy, which patients needs radiotherapy, and how is it given? This episode describes radiotherapy, including external beam, brachytherapy, protons, and lots more. Link to Patreon
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What's all this "mg per metre squared" thing about? How do we work out the right dose of chemotherapy drugs to give? Link to Patreon
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Some chemotherapy drugs make children and adults feel sick. This episode describes the measures we can take to reduce this miserable side effect. Link to Patreon
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This episode describes the anthracycline drugs, doxorubicin, daunorubicin and others. It describes the disease we treat with these drugs, the way they are given, and the particular side effects that may occur. Link to Patreon
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Asparaginase is used in treating leukaemia and lymphoma. This podcast describes the different types of asparaginase, how it's given, and the spectrum of possible side effects. Link to Patreon
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Vincristine is used in a variety of different childhood cancers. This podcast describes its use and side effects. Link to Patreon
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This episode describes the concepts of developing an antibody to treat cancer, and describes some of the antibodies that are out there to treat leukaemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and others. Link to Patreon
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Cancer immunotherapy is a very exciting area. This episode explains how the immune system normally works, particularly with respect to how antibodies work. Link to Patreon
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Dr Geoff explains what a PET scan is, and the situations where PET scan might be useful. Link to Patreon
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Dr Geoff discusses the treatment of osteosarcoma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Link to Patreon
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This podcast describes the treatment of Ewing sarcoma, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Link to Patreon
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This podcast describes the tests that are done to diagnose a bone tumour, and other procedures that lead up to starting therapy. Link to Patreon
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What are the main types of bone tumours in children and young adults? What is Ewing sarcoma, what is osteosarcoma? Link to Patreon
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Introduction to chemotherapy in the treatment of childhood cancer. Dr Geoff explains what chemotherapy is, how it works, and what side effects may occur. Link to Patreon
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Introduction To Brain Tumours In Children by Dr Geoff Link to Patreon
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Kidney Tumours In Childhood by Dr Geoff Link to Patreon
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The American and European approaches to the treatment of Wilms' tumour are different. This podcast discusses the two approaches, and the arguments in favour of each strategy. Link to Patreon
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Introduction to this podcast series. What types of cancer occur in children and why? What is the outlook? Can childhood cancer be cured? Link to Patreon
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All about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in childhood Link to Patreon
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All about rhabdomyosarcoma. What sort of tumour is it? Where does it occur? What tests are needed? How is it treated? Link to Patreon
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What is neuroblastoma? Where does it appear in the body? How is it diagnosed? What does 'staging' mean? How do we identify low risk and high risk patients? What tests need to be done? What treatment is used? Link to Patreon
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What is leukaemia? How does leukaemia affect the blood and bone marrow? How is leukaemia diagnosed? What types of leukaemia are there in children? Link to Patreon
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