Tom Wilemon

February 5, 2021

Convalescent plasma improved survival in COVID-19 patients with blood cancers

Treatment with convalescent plasma vastly improved the survival rate of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who also had hematologic malignances that compromise the immune system, according to new data released by the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19).

By Tom Wilemon
Tyler Barrett, MD, MSCI, reviews an imaging scan in the VUAH Emergency Department, where a dedicated process ensures follow-up of suspicious images unrelated to a patient’s injuries. (photo by Susan Urmy)
February 4, 2021

Process ensures follow-up of incidental radiology findings

When people go to an emergency room after being injured, suspicious images may show up on their imaging scans that are unrelated to their injuries but may be indicative of cancer. A team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently established a better process for ensuring these patients receive follow-up diagnostic care, an initiative that is already receiving national recognition.

By Tom Wilemon
January 27, 2021

Study shows healthy diet is associated with diverse and health-promoting microbiome

Scientists are just beginning to understand the impact of diet on the gut microbiome and how this interaction affects human health, but baselines must first be established to yield answers.

By Tom Wilemon
January 21, 2021

Peal named Cancer Center associate operating officer

Karline Peal, MBA, BS, AS, RTT, was recently named associate operating officer of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC).

By Tom Wilemon
December 22, 2020

Arthritis drug may treat immunotherapy-related heart complication

By Tom Wilemon
December 17, 2020

Study reveals distinct genomic landscape for young adults with appendiceal cancer

The first study to compare molecular landscapes of early-onset and late-onset appendiceal cancer has revealed distinct non-silent mutations in the tumors of younger patients, setting the stage for the development of potential therapeutic advances for this rare disease.

By Tom Wilemon
November 23, 2020

NCI director urges action to address delayed cancer diagnoses

Delayed cancer diagnoses and treatment due to concerns about potential coronavirus exposure will lead to collateral deaths beyond the pandemic, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Ned Sharpless, MD, said Thursday during a virtual visit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Tom Wilemon
November 23, 2020

Hot spots identified for colorectal cancer mortality rates among young women

Women diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer have a greater risk of dying from the disease depending upon their county of residence, according to a study published in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology.
By Tom Wilemon
November 18, 2020

New drug for metastatic colorectal cancer enters phase 3 trial

A new therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer that has been granted fast track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is being tested in a phase 3 clinical trial at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
By Tom Wilemon
November 10, 2020

Study underscores importance of personalized medicine in kidney cancer

A new study sheds light on how molecular subsets within the tumors of kidney cancer patients determine treatment outcomes and underscores the importance of personalized medicine in making therapy decisions.
By Tom Wilemon
November 5, 2020

Screening younger women for hereditary cancers may be cost effective

Population-wide screening for genetic variants linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer may be cost effective in women between the ages of 20 and 35, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
By Tom Wilemon
October 29, 2020

Rini to lead NCI study of COVID-19 in cancer patients

Brian Rini, MD, is leading a study launched by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that will closely monitor cancer patients who acquire COVID-19 with the goal of providing highly detailed data to guide future care.
By Tom Wilemon