Mustafa Barbour, M.D., a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, is active in bringing new and innovative treatments to patients at Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Dr. Barbour, who has been caring for children with cancer and blood disorders since his fellowship training in 2008, is a subinvestigator on a number of clinical…
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has new guidelines for immune thrombocytopenia, also called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), in children, including more outpatient management, more observation, and fewer medications. “The guidelines came about as the result of clinical evidence and experience,” said Ashok B. Raj, M.D., pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with…
The latest colon cancer screening recommendations call for earlier screenings and include guidance to better reflect individual risks. The starting age for screening for the average person with no risk factors is now 45, five years earlier than the previous recommendations. A family history of polyps, colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease pushes the recommended…
Clinical trials are vital tools in our fight against cancer. These have become an important link in determining the best new treatments and how therapies are best administered. In 2019, Norton Cancer Institute offered nearly 130 active clinical trials for cancers ranging from phase 1 to late-phase pivotal studies, and from first-line diagnoses to recurrent…
Because it is rare and has varied symptoms, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can be difficult to diagnose. Without quick diagnosis and timely HLH treatment, however, it can be life-threatening. HLH can be inherited (primary or familial HLH), or it can be acquired and caused by another disease (secondary HLH). When the disease is acquired, it’s typically…
The latest episode of the “MedChat” podcast, “Colon Cancer: Updates in Screening Guidelines,” is now available. This episode provides information on the risk factors for colorectal cancer, the stages of colorectal disease development, the latest screening guidelines for colorectal cancer and different colorectal screening/diagnostic tools and indications. Moderator: Ryan Nazar, M.D., clinical effectiveness director for…
The primary care provider is the first line of defense against colon cancer, yet for every two patients who are referred by their physician to get colonoscopies, only one of them will end up completing the important cancer screening. The reasons why people don’t get colonoscopies A common reason for not scheduling a colonoscopy: Patients…
Projects to renovate Norton Cancer Institute – Downtown and create the nearby Women’s Cancer Center have been completed and the facilities are open. Norton Cancer Institute – Downtown (676 S. Floyd St.) This site houses our Prompt Care Clinics for patients with urgent care needs related to cancer, hepatitis C and sickle cell disease. Infusion…
Despite earlier detection efforts and improved treatment options, lung cancer remains the top cancer killer in the United States. According to Adam D. Lye, M.D., medical oncologist/hematologist with Norton Cancer Institute, the majority of lung cancer clinical trials there focus on non-small cell lung cancer, the most common form of lung cancer. “We’re working with…
Radiologist Amanda Carricato, M.D., has joined Norton Healthcare, concentrating on diagnostic breast radiology. Her previous position was associate clinical professor in radiology at the University of Louisville. Dr. Carricato received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. She completed a radiology residency and an internship in internal medicine, both…
Emaleigh Smith was born with a heart murmur, so her parents were on the lookout. At about 10 months, she started having unexplained eating issues, including food aversion. She started on feeding therapy. After about eight months, a computed tomography (CT) scan showed neuroblastoma in her chest, near vertebrae — hugging her aorta. Emaleigh was…
The risk of cancer increases with age, and the number of adults in the U.S. is expected to outnumber children for the first time by 2030. That adds up to a growing need for specialized care to treat cancer in seniors. The phenomenon has been dubbed the “silver oncologic tsunami” in the medical world, and…