Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind

101. Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Update

11 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As many philosophers have noted, life often travels in cycles. Almost two years and more than 100 episodes ago, on a virtual call far far away, two yo...

100. 100th Episode Bonanza

04 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For 100 episodes, Josh and Michael have brought to your ears the latest and greatest in oncology research and treatment. In this episode, we will take...

99. Early Mutation-Driver Positive NSCLC

27 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Josh and Michael examine the rapidly developing world of early lung cancer treatment. An area that will hopefully only grow in import...

98. Breast Cancer with Dr Adam Brufsky

20 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this very special episode, Josh and Michael welcome Dr Adam Brufsky, a trailblazer in the world of breast cancer treatment and a titan in the frene...

Fireside Chats 3: Colorectal Cancer in Young People

13 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's blessedly brief episode, Josh and Michael give an overview of one of the greatest challenges for any practicing oncologist: the conundrum o...

Oncosnacks 13: Pancreatic Cancer - NAPOLI-3 Trial Update

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

IN BREAKING NEWS... Or not really, as we are a bit late to the party. But in honour of liposomal irinotecan's recent approval by the Federal Drugs Adm...

97. Spotlight: Advanced Breast Cancer - Which CDK4/6 Inhibitor is Best?

06 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is a tale as old as time, as old as the stars, the heavens and human consciousness itself. Okay, we're exaggerating a bit, but for as long as pharm...

96. Second Line Treatment of Melanoma

30 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Michael and Josh welcome a very special guest: Michael's Labrador Beans. Beans is a world-renowned expert in eating snacks, but unfor...

95. ASCO GU 2024 Spectacular (Part 2)

23 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While Josh and Michael enjoy a good rambling, meandering podcast as much as the next guy, we made a promise to keep our coverage of the ASCO GU 2024 c...

94. ASCO GU 2024 Spectacular (Part 1)

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With Josh's Grand Adventure(TM) now in the books, he and Michael return to their usual programming, examining two studies presented at the not-so-rece...

93. On the Road with Prof. Elgene Lim

09 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Josh interviews the man who helped make this grand adventure possible, his mentor, Professor Elgene Lim of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre...

92. On the Road with Dr. Robert Mayer

02 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Josh interviews Dr Robert Mayer, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, former director of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute...

91. On the Road with Dr. Ann Partridge

24 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Josh interviewed Dr Ann Partridge, the director of the adult survivorship program at the Dana-Farber Institute. She is the co-founder...

90. On the Road with Dr. Harold J Burstein

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Josh interviews Dr Harold Burstein. A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, Dr Burstein’s initial PhD was in c...

89. Spotlight - Biotech: Interview with Dr Jeff Jones from Cullinan Oncology

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, on this mid-week special, Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is delighted to welcome Dr. Jeff Jones, a haematologist, oncologist and the Chief M...

88. On the Road with Dr. Geoffrey Shapiro

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We return to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute this week as part of our "On the Road" series and interview the multitalented Dr. Geoffrey Shapiro. Dr S...

87. On the Road with Dr. Eric Winer

03 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we interview Dr. Eric Winer, our second guest in our mini-series "On the Road". Dr Winer is no ordinary Oncologist; he is a prolific clinician ...

86. On the Road with Dr. Erica Mayer

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we interview Dr. Erica Mayer as our first guest in the "On the Road" mini-series. Dr. Mayer is a renowned breast cancer oncologist at the Dana ...

85. Spotlight: Year in Retrospect: 2023

20 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is back, and we have a blockbuster year ahead! Before we get there, we have our year in review 2023. Michael and Jos...

84. World Conference on Lung Cancer (part 2)

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

2023 has been a year of highs and lows, a calendar of peaks and troughs, an epoch of mountains and valleys (all right Michael, put the thesaurus away....

83. World Conference on Lung Cancer (part 1)

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ASCO and ESMO are done, and soon, 2023 itself will be in the rearview mirror. And yet, there are still conferences happening around the world; yes, we...

Oncosnacks 12: Enfortumab Vedotin skin toxicity management

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, their final of 2023, Michael and Josh return to the world of recent fan favourite, enfortumab vedotin (EV). Not content to sing its p...

82. Metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

16 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind would like to issue a formal mae culpa to our listeners. You have joined us for over 12 months and over 80 episodes ...

Fireside Chats 2. Time Toxicity in Early Phase Trials

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For patients with advanced cancer, early-phase trials may represent the last best hope of significant anticancer response. For clinicians, every early...

81. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Update

09 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is here, and this year, OFTIM (Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind) is bringing you the latest and greatest in all t...

80. ESMO 2023 - Plenary Session

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, OFTIM celebrates its 80th episode and presents its ESMO23 plenary session, including two practice-changing, paradigm-shifting trials. The first...

79. ESMO 2023 - Gynaecological Oncology

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind's coverage of ESMO 2023 winds down, we bring some of the best presentations covering gynaecological cancer. An ar...

78. ESMO 2023 - Skin Cancer and Melanoma

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since the early development of immunotherapy, metastatic melanoma has been the golden child of medical oncology. In recent years, similar outcomes hav...

77. ESMO 2023 - Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Non-small cell lung cancer continues to show massive promise with new trials, better designs and exciting utilisation of existing therapies. Michael a...

76. ESMO 2023 - Colorectal Cancer (Part 2)

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Metastatic colorectal cancer has an average overall survival of three years. With limited treatment options as standard of care or effective targetabl...

75. ESMO 2023 - Colorectal Cancer (Part 1)

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Colorectal cancer remains the bread and butter of many an oncologist, but its commonality belies its complexity. In early and advanced disease alike, ...

74. ESMO 2023 - Upper GI and Hepatobiliary Cancer

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Next up on the ESMO 2023 rollercoaster is an episode that is likely to be the shortest in our series: upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary oncolog...

73. ESMO 2023 - Genitourinary Cancers - Prostate and Bladder

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Genitourinary cancers come in all shapes and sizes, and this year, ESMO2023 takes the research up a notch. Prostate cancer is centre stage, and you mi...

72. ESMO 2023 - Early Breast Cancer (Part 2)

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind's ongoing coverage of ESMO 2023. In the spirit of a worldwide oncology conference, here we present r...

71. ESMO 2023 - Early Breast Cancer (Part 1)

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every so often, an area of medical oncology has so many interesting presentations at a seminal conference that it becomes impossible to leave them out...

70. ESMO 2023 - Small Cell Lung Cancer

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ESMO 2023 showcased several promising trials in the small-cell lung cancer space. A cancer that continues to send shivers down the spine of budding on...

69. ESMO 2023 - Metastatic Breast Cancer

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michael and Josh continue their examination of the crème-de-la-crème of the European Society of Medical Oncology conference of 2023. Today they focu...

68. ESMO 2023 - Central Nervous System Tumors

22 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another year, another international oncology conference in a beautiful European locale. In 2023, the world's oncology community has descended on the S...

67. Spotlight: Head and Neck Cancer: Docetaxel as a Radiosensitiser

14 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cisplatin is the mainstay for concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancers. What happens to that significant group of patien...

OncoSnacks 11: Pulmonary Embolism & Deep Vein Thrombosis in the context of malignancy

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cancer inherently increases the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pumlmonary Embolism. This is merely a nuisance for some, while others experience sign...

66. Gynae-Oncology with Dr Vish Boolell

07 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gynaecological malignancies are a diverse group of terrible malignancies. From ovarian to endometrial to cervical, these cancers are notorious not jus...

65. Meredith Cummins - CEO of Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia

30 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is frequently said that it takes a village to treat a patient with cancer. However, beyond the nuts and bolts of medical and allied health treatmen...

64. Metastatic Neuroendocrine Carcinomas

23 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work!" so said Thomas Edison in describing his journey to the incandescent light bulb. This...

63. Advanced Grade 3 Neuroendocrine Tumours - Chemotherapy options

16 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Neuroendocrine Tumours could be described as an impassable obstacle, more complicated the more you research. That's where Michael and Josh come in, an...

62. Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumour - Later Lines of Therapy

09 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"We go to the moon and other places not because they are easy, but because they are hard." So spoke US President John F. Kennedy, in a speech that gal...

61. Fireside Chats: What We Call "Cancer"

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Between 1933 and 1944, Americans huddled around their radios to listen to the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United Sta...

60. Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumours - Part 1

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Neuroendocrine tumours (commonly referred to as NETs) is the topic for this week's episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind. Michael and Josh thou...

59. Testicular Cancer - Part 2

26 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Previously, on Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Josh and Michael discussed the common systemic therapies available for early and advanced testicular...

OncoSnacks 10: Thrombophlebitis and Superficial Venous Thrombosis

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this, the tenth episode of OncoSnacks, Josh and Michael discuss the management of a common but no less important problem: superficial venous thromb...

58. Testicular Cancer - Part 1

19 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Edward Gibbon, an English historian and politician, once quipped, "History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfort...

57. ROS1 and KRAS Mutated Lung Cancer

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the Nautilus reaches its final destination, where Michael and Josh pursue a deeper understanding of ROS1, and KRAS mutated lung cance...

56. ALK-mutant Metastatic Lung Cancer

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Michael and Josh step onto the oncological Nautilus, to begin their journey 20,000 Leagues Under Lung Cancer, to examine non-small ce...

55. Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are cancers that grow slowly. There are cancers that do not grow at all. And then there are cancer's like today's subject, that are notorious no...

OncoSnacks 9: Chemotherapy Extravasation

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chemotherapy extravasation can occur day or night, and one must always be vigilant. While many agents are irritants and may not pose significant risks...

54. Cancer Survivorship with Dr Ash Malalasekera

22 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cancer is thought of as a great killer, an indefatigable bogeyman that claims the lives of everyone it afflicts. However, advances in medicine mean th...

53. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) are challenging areas of breast cancer oncology. Michael and Josh return from the...

52. ASCO 2023 - Plenary Session

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Theodore Roosevelt is famously quoted saying: "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed." This is what ASCO, oncologist...

51. ASCO 2023 - Melanoma & Head and Neck

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The epic journey of Josh and Michael across tumour streams at ASCO 2023 is approaching its end. It has been a whirlwind tour through groundbreaking sc...

50. ASCO 2023 - Metastatic NSCLC

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every epic journey has that moment when the end is in sight. The start of the last lap of the race, the final dramatic encounter with the main villain...

49. ASCO 2023 - Metastatic Breast Cancer

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cancer is facing a seismic shift as precision oncology is becoming a reality, and adoption is skyrocketing as new anti-cancer agents are released. It ...

48. ASCO 2023 - Prostate, Bladder and Renal Cancer

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ASCO 23 explored novel anti-cancer agents in the genitourinary space. The future of oncology is etching closer daily. In this episode, Michael and Jos...

47. ASCO 2023 - Colorectal Cancer

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ASCO 2023 has been an incredible journey, and the latest instalment of Michael and Josh's search for the latest and greatest oncological news is no ex...

46. ASCO 2023 - Early Lung Cancer

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Michael and Josh investigate Lung Oncology research presented at ASCO 23, specifically early lung cancer treatment. They discuss Peri...

45. ASCO 2023 - Gynaecologic Cancers

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancer need more treatment options. Platinum-based chemotherapy only works for so long. ASCO 23 delivers with the pr...

44. ASCO 2023 - Central Nervous System

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Captain's Log: ASCO Day 3.Today's episode brought myriad developments in treating CNS cancers and brain metastases from other distant lands. Some stud...

43. ASCO 2023 - Early Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

04 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer again takes centre stage at the ASCO 23 (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting and has reinven...

42. ASCO 2023 - Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary update

04 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ASCO 23 (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting in Chicago showcased a plethora of cutting-edge trials and research. Upper gastrointest...

41. Pre-ASCO Appetizer

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

*SPECIAL EPISODE ALERT*Every year, Josh and Mike cross their fingers and pray to Father Conference-Leave that they can make the pilgrimage to one of t...

OncoSnacks 8: Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Peripheral neuropathy is a common toxicity of multiple anticancer agents used to treat and cure cancer, including platinum, taxanes and vinca alkaloid...

40. Advanced Endometrial Cancer

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is always nice to be able to say the phrase: "This cancer has an excellent prognosis." That is the case with endometrial cancer, which for the majo...

39. Leadership, Policy and Teletrials with Prof Sabe Sabesan

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

COSA President-elect (Clinical Oncology Society Australia), Professor Sabe Sabesan, is the oncologist and doctor we all dreamed of being when starting...

OncoSnacks 7: Cardiotoxicity with Dr Mark Nolan

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, we like to focus on cancer and available treatment options. However, every oncologist is at his or her best when...

38. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma - Rare Cancer Snapshot

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer commonly found in the head and neck region, arising from glandular salivary tissue. Like many orphan c...

37. Metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer- Theranostics and Chemotherapy

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lutetium PSMA (Lutetium-177), theranostic medicine and future advances in prostate cancer are coming to an oncology centre near you faster than y...

36. Early Drug Development and Mentorship with Dr Jenny Liu

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every feast needs a palate cleanser. Every great work of theatre needs an intermission. Every sports event needs a half-time show. In this way, Oncolo...

35. Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the second episode of our prostate-cancer series, we investigate the inevitability of castration resistance: the biochemical, radiological and clin...

OncoSnacks 6: Immunotherapy-related Thyroid Disorders with Endocrinologist Dr Dahlia Davidoff

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Endocrinopathies in immunotherapy-related cancer treatment are common! Most of us will experience patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism reg...

34. Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (2)

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

J.R.R. Tolkien. George Lucas. Steven Spielberg. With such seminal trilogies as Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones achieving a permanen...

33. Ageism and Geriatric Oncology with Dr Michael Krasovitsky

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ageism is an inherent bias seen throughout medicine, with cancer adding complexity to an already difficult set of circumstances. Despite our best effo...

Oncosnacks 5: Anti-Cancer Treatment-Induced Alopecia

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of OncoSnacks pays homage to the lack of eyebrows, eyelashes and hair many patients face when undergoing cancer treatment and the resulta...

32. Oligometastatic Colorectal Cancer - Is it curable?

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, our intrepid trio once more plunge down 20,000 leagues, exploring the confusing depths, hoping to answer one question: is there any evidence to...

31. Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michael and Josh welcome back Dr Andrew Jensen to help explore part two of OftiM's Head and Neck Cancer exploration party. With localised treatments d...

30. Early Head and Neck Cancer

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

30 episodes ago, two young doctors took their first steps into the podcasting sphere, stumbling like two newborn foals birthed into a paddock full of ...

OncoSnacks 4: Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of OncoSnacks kicks off Michael and Josh's sojourn into the wide world of immune-mediated adverse effects. Inevitably, as most blowhards ...

29. Metastatic Hormone Receptor (HR) Positive Breast Cancer

11 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Five hundred years ago, Christopher Columbus set forth to explore unknown lands. You might be asking, what do Chris and metastatic hormone receptor-po...

28. ASCO GU 2023 Spectacular

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the second time in 2023, Josh and Michael discuss some of the hardest-hitting highlights from a conference; in this case, they dive into five stud...

OncoSnacks 3: Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of OncoSnacks, Josh and Michael address the classic chemotherapy side effect: nausea. From Terms of Endearment (1983) to ER (2002), fr...

27. High Grade Gliomas and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Concluding their Journey to the Centre of the Brain, Michael and Josh tackle one of the most challenging and difficult cancers in modern oncology: hig...

26. Neuro-Oncology

18 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind finally embarks on the treacherous journey of neuro-oncology. While researching for this episode, Michael and Josh r...

OncoSnacks 2: Chemotherapy-induced Diarrhea

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our second bite-sized episode, Michael and Josh explore the challenge of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea, a common problem for patients leading to m...

25. ASCO GI 2023 Extravaganza

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the grand, six-month-long tradition of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Josh and Michael provide an update from an international meeting to keep ...

24. Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind returns to its regular broadcasting schedule and discusses metastatic renal cell cancer (ccRCC). As not to be outdon...

OncoSnacks 1: Mucositis

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is OncoSnacks, a new, fortnightly OftIM spinoff!In this new bite-sized series, Michael and Josh try to sink their teeth into more slice-of-life t...

23. Early Renal Cell Cancer

28 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind, Michael dons his cultural hat and begins with an Ode to the Kidneys, organs that are as much a muse fo...

22. Non Melanoma Skin Cancers - BCC and Merkle Cell Carcinoma

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the southern hemisphere basks in summer's beautiful warmth, Michael and Josh skip the beach to explore skin cancer. While melanoma usually takes ce...

21. Beginning a Career with Andrew Jensen

14 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New year, new episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind! After enjoying their holiday break, Josh and Michael dive right into 2023 with an episode ...

20. Early-Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oncologists love pushing the limits of what is possible for our patients. To celebrate this and the 20th episode of Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind,...

19. Early non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

10 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"I'm not in danger; I AM the danger!" So said Bryan Cranston's Walter White, and so too said early-stage lung cancer when confronted with adjuvant che...

18. Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

03 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Josh and Mikey travel back millions of years to a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, as recent research has demonstrated, unmolest...

17. Prostate Cancer with Dr Megan Crumbaker

26 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Movember is an important event focussing on men's health, including cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer diagnosed in Australia and ...