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THE JOURNAL 3

In this Issue...Ellen’s StoryA patient shares how The Breast Center of Excellencesupported her through her fight with cancer.

Components of The Breast Center for ExcellenceThe Breast Center applies a patient-centered,multidisciplinary approach to care and treatment.

New Center Opens in Fort WorthThe Breast Center of Excellence concept arrives at Huguley Memorial Hospital.

Behind the White CoatGet to know Dr. DeEtte Vasques, the first board certifiedfemale Gynecologic Oncologist in north Texas.

The Center Goes InternationalPatients from The Center participated in an internationalresearch trial for lung cancer.

One Path, Two StoriesA patient and his wife published a novel detailing theircancer journey.

The Happy TreeThe Happy Tree offers unique healing properties for avariety of conditions and diseases.

The Doctor’s LoungeFun facts and happenings

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Issue 7 • February 2010

FROM THE EDITORThere is a certain relief in change, even thoughit be from bad to worse! As I have often foundin travelling in a stagecoach, that it is often acomfort to shift one's position, and be bruisedin a new place. –Washington Irving

As I work on this issue, Congress and the entirecountry are debating potentially revolutionarymodifications in the American health care system.Change in the practice of medicine will likely go farbeyond prohibiting the distribution of free pens.There will be intense pressure to control costs.

It is widely accepted that technological changehas accounted for the bulk of medical cost increases.Reducing costly treatments with marginal value is areasonable goal, BUT policies that attempt to“eliminate waste” may retard technologicalprogress. There is, in fact, considerable evidence thatmanaged care slowed the rate of introduction ofnew medical technologies.1

There exists a series of studies that examinedthe costs and benefits of advances in medicaltechnologies at the level of the disease.2

Technological changes result in many benefitsincluding increased working life span, improvedquality of life, fewer costly hospitalizations andless time absent from work. The findings implythat the quality adjusted price of medical care is,in reality, falling. For every $1 spent on heartattack care, the gain was $7.

For heart attack care, the net benefit oftechnologic change is so great that it dwarfs alluncertainties of the analysis. There is moreambiguity in oncology. The more recent studiesare a decade old yet suggest that the cost / benefitratio is at least neutral. To prove the costeffectiveness of newer therapies will require theapplication of electronic medical records (EMRs)whereby the necessary data can be easilycollected. The Center for Cancer and BloodDisorders is a pioneer in the application of EMRsto oncology, and will remain in the forefront ofthe effort to introduce and assess the benefit ofthe newest technologies and therapies.

On a lighter note, I hope you enjoy the secondin a series of short items on the unique carpetpatterns at The Center.1Baker et. al. The Effect of Managed Care on Health Care

Providers. RAND J of Economics (Summer 1999): 351-74.2Cutler, M., and McClellan, M. Health Affairs. Sept./Oct. 2001.

Michael Ross, MDEditor

Statements and opinions expressed in The Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarilyrepresent those of The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Contributions are welcome and shouldbe sent to the editor at 800 W. Magnolia, Fort Worth, TX 76104, or by e-mail to editor@txcc.com.

The Journal is published by Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC, a division of Oser Communications Group,Inc., 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715. Phone (972) 687-9035 or (520) 721-1300, fax (520) 721-6300,www.oser.com. Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC specializes in creating and publishing custom magazines.Editorial comments: Karrie Welborn, karrie_w@oser.com. Please call or fax for a new subscription, change ofaddress, or single copy. This publication may not be reproduced in part or in whole without the express writtenpermission of Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC. To advertise in an upcoming issue of this publication, pleasecontact us at (972) 687-9035 or (520) 721-1300 or visit us on the Web at www.oser-bentley.com. February 2010

On the Cover: Dr. Prasanthi Genesa (left) and Dr. Robyn Young are theoncologists in the Breast Center of Excellence. Both have made the mostadvanced, yet woman-centered breast cancer care the emphasis of their practices.

4 THE JOURNAL

To Ellen, the phone call asking her to return for“additional views” was scary. She had just squeezedtime into her busy schedule for a routine yearlymammogram. “I know that every woman needsmammograms,” said Ellen, “but it is supposed tobe just like something you do and then forget.”

But this time something was different. Ellen wasasked to return for “magnification” views andthen a sonogram. She was next scheduled for astereotactic biopsy at the mammogram center.Requiring only a local anesthesia and an incisionno larger than a pencil eraser, the biopsy wascompleted in less than an hour. Guided by themammogram image, a tiny needle wasinstantaneously inserted into the suspicious spotin the breast, withdrawing a minute piece oftissue. The diagnosis was breast cancer.

Ellen said that she experienced all sorts ofemotions. She knew she needed a doctor. “I wanteda really good doctor,” she said, “who would not

only listen to me but also understand what I wasthinking and going though.” Ellen went on, “To berather crass about it, I wanted a doctor who wasan expert in breast cancer who also had breasts!”

Ellen found exactly what she was searching forat The Breast Center of Excellence at The Centerfor Cancer and Blood Disorders. The BreastCenter was established by Dr. Robyn Young, acancer specialist focusing solely on breast cancer.She knows that breast cancer affects the heartand soul, as well as the body. She believes thatwomen with breast cancer deserve coordinated,sensitive care that is medically cutting edge, andresponsive to emotional as well as physical needs.

“One of the most stressful times in a woman’s lifeis the day she learns she has breast cancer,” saidDr. Phasanthi Genesa, who works alongside Dr.Young at the Breast Center of Excellence. Withthe anxiety of the diagnosis also comes theburden of waiting for a treatment plan.

The Breast Center of ExcellenceEllen’s Story

It is one thing to want a doctor who understands a woman’s feelings when facing an illness like breast cancer. But a doctor who herselfhas had breast cancer? One of the female physicians at The Center recently underwent treatment for the disease. “The doctors at TheCenter are like family,” said one, “and we all went through the surgery, chemotherapy, reconstruction and all the side effects together. Weall understand.”

When the Doctor has Breast Cancer

“I know that every woman needsmammograms, but it is supposed to be just

like something you do and then forget.”

THE JOURNAL 5

“In many cities and even some large medicalcenters, it can take weeks to see each of thedifferent doctors who have a part in your care,”said Dr. Genesa, “but at The Center westreamline the planning. At The Center we haveadopted a comprehensive, multidisciplinary,patient-centered approach.” After meeting withthe specialists, each patient leaves with atreatment plan in place.

“An integral part of our team,” said Dr. Young,“is a dedicated Breast Care Navigator who workswith every patient. She is an experienced nursewho provides education, guidance, answersquestions and always has an open ear ready tolisten to any concerns of her patients.” TheNavigator individually educates and supports herpatients and their families at a critical time. Sheis a patient advocate and care coordinator whohelps the patient navigate the medical caresystem and even works as a communityambassador to improve cancer care.

Woman to woman, Drs. Genesa and Young walkeach patient through their journey. “You can feelthe strength in each of the doctors that just fillsyou as a patient,” said Ellen, who is nowfinishing her course of therapy. “I sensed fromthe first day that everyone was dedicated tohelping me regain my physical and mentalhealth, and maintain that health. I always feltconfident that I made the right choice in comingto and trusting the doctors at the Breast Centerof Excellence.”

“Our goal at The Breast Center of Excellence,”said Dr. Young, “is not just to provide the mostup-to-date care, but to cure people whenpossible.” Dr. Young went on to say that shewants to improve current treatment programs.“Our ultimate goal,” she emphasizes, “is oneday eradicating breast cancer. When we canprevent our mothers, sisters, daughters andfriends from ever getting the disease we willhave achieved our goal!”

Breast cancer is the most commoncancer in women, impacting the livesof an estimated 200,000 women (and1,500 men) this year. It is the secondmost common cause of cancer deathamong women. More than half occur inwomen over the age of 65. Traditionalmammography is still the screeningtool of choice in women of all ages.

“I sensed from the first day that everyone was dedicated to helping me regain my physicaland mental health, and maintain that health.”

Breast Cancer Fact

Known as “Dr. Robyn”to many of her patients,Dr. Robyn Youngreassures and instillsconfidence with acalming and friendlysmile together with a full explanationwithout confusingmedical jargon.

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Before SurgeryThe Breast Center doctors encourage breast cancerpatients to visit with a medical oncologist beforesurgery, so that a true cancer specialist can helpguide the treatment plan from the beginning. Dr.Robyn Young and Dr. Phasanthi Genesa will,however, meet with patients and families to answerquestions at any point prior to or during the entiretreatment program.

Breast Cancer NavigatorThe entire process of treatment for breast cancercan be daunting. The entire Breast Center staffwill ease your fears and provide you with all theanswers to your questions as soon as possible. Aspecially trained nurse is assigned to the positionof Breast Cancer Navigator. She takes carebeyond the strictly clinical, and is alwaysavailable to answer questions.

Laboratory and Radiology ServicesBlood tests and almost all X-ray and scanprocedures are available in The Center for Cancer

Components ofThe Breast Center

for Excellence

Dorothy Head RN, Breast Cancer Navigator, herself a breastcancer survivor, meets with each breast cancer patient. Sheeases fears by answering questions and helping patients andfamilies at each step in their treatment.

Radiation therapy is sometimes recommended after surgery tokill any remaining cancer cells. The radiation department atThe Center employs the most modern equipment available.

and Blood Disorders building. There is less need totravel to multiple testing sites, and results areprovided to the doctors promptly.

Immune TherapyUsing the body’s immune system to seek out anddestroy cancer cells is one of the most recentadvances in treating breast cancer.

ChemotherapyAfter and sometimes before surgery, chemotherapyis recommended in order to treat the entire body.Patients receive their treatment in a private,soothing and comfortable environment. Thewindows overlook a wonderful rooftop garden witha striking view of the city.

Radiation TherapyAfter lumpectomy, radiation to the remaining breasttissue significantly reduces the chance of the cancerrecurring within the breast. All types of radiationtherapy are available at The Center, including thecutting edge therapy called Mammocyte.

Sandy Laird RN,has wide-rangingexperience as an

acute care Nurse Practitioner.

Sandy is loved by every

patient she helps because

she cares for both their

medical andemotionalconcerns.

THE JOURNAL 7

Hormone TherapyHormone therapy works by stopping hormones (forexample, estrogen) from stimulating cancer cells togrow. This can be done with pills or injections thatblock estrogen from entering cancer cells, or bystopping the enzyme that makes estrogen.

Genetic ScreeningTesting for the genes that may predict a higher thanaverage risk for breast and ovarian cancer isavailable for women concerned about theirhereditary risk factors for those illnesses.

High Risk Breast CancerAssessment/Surveillance/ScreeningIn cooperation with Texas Health Resources, Dr.Young has started and continues to see patients at aspecial clinic for women with one or more of thesehigh risk factors:

• Two or more relatives with breast or ovarian cancer

• A relative who has had both breast and ovarian cancer

• A relative with breast cancer before age 50• A relative with cancer in both breasts• Been diagnosed with a “marker” for possible

future breast cancer, such as LCIS (lobular carcinoma “in-situ”)

• Had a genetic test showing that you have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene

ResearchPatients at The Center benefit from being able toparticipate in select clinical trials. The term “clinical

trial” may seem a bit strange, but it is simply aresearch study that carefully tests new ways toprevent, diagnose or treat the disease. The researchtrials provide our patients with essentialinformation about the diagnosis, cancer control andthe newest treatments so patients and their doctorscan make the best treatment choice for eachindividual person.

Appearance BoutiqueTo help patients look and feel their best during achallenging time, The Center, together with theAmerican Cancer Society, offers the special servicesof the Appearance Boutique. All of the suppliessuch as wigs, hats and appearance items areprovided without charge to all women.

Patient Support ServicesThe Breast Center of Excellence concept focuses onthe person as a whole, providing emotional andspiritual support as well as medical treatment. All ofthe following are available to assist patients andtheir families in dealing with all aspects of a breastcancer diagnosis:

• Massage• Acupuncture• Yoga• Nutritionist• Chaplain and Meditative Services• Psycho/social counseling• Financial assistance and Social Service • Referral to support groups• AskDrYoung.org website devoted to privatelyanswering your questions

The infusionsuite at The Centeroffers aspacious yet privateenvironmentwhere patientsreceive therapywhile lookingat the rooftoprose gardenwith itspanoramicviews of Fort Worth.

Dr. Reddy, one of the newest cancer specialists at The Center,reviews the latest knowledge about breast cancer therapy witha patient.

Placed totally our of sight and out of mind under the skin,“ports” allow patients to bathe or shower without problems,yet provide for painless intravenous therapy.

At barely over 30 years old,Deandrea had been battlingHodgkin’s Lymphoma formore than ten years. A singlemother with two pre-teenagechildren at home, no regularjob and little family support,she had no prospect for ajoyous Christmas. There wasno money for gifts, and even anice Christmas dinner was outof the question. Deandrea toldher doctor that her children

helped at home, but “they’re only kids.” When you care for people for such extended lengths

of time, they become part of the “Center family.” Thenurses, medical assistants, her doctors and the entireCenter staff who had worked with her for so long allknew Deandrea’s compelling story. Deandrea was oneof the first names selected for the 2009 Angel Tree.

At the Magnolia Center office, six needy familieswere selected for the gift of dinner and presents.Another three families were chosen at the HuguleyCenter office. LB, with recurrent lymphoma, wasliving with his family in a small trailer withoutelectricity or running water. Seventy-year-old HCand his wife had to care for five grandchildren with

8 THE JOURNAL

Social Security as their only income. Each familyhad a different yet gripping story.

Leaves on the Christmas trees at each locationanonymously listed the ages and clothing sizes of thechildren. The Center staff fervently emptied the treesof leaves, made the purchases and brought the giftsback to the offices where they were wrapped. Typicalitems included school clothing or children’s toys.

Each family was utterly surprised by their gifts.In addition to presents for themselves and theirchildren, each family received a large smoked turkeyand other holiday foods. In all her years of therapy,Deandrea had cried only twice. The first was whenshe recently learned that her disease had recurredand therapy was again needed. The second waswhen she was surprised by a gathering of Centeremployees with all her presents in hand.

Helena Iannaccone, RN, ANP chaired theAngel Tree at the Magnolia location. TheMedical Assistants all worked together to makethe Angel Tree a success at the Huguley Centeroffice. After the families returned home withtheir gifts, The Center employee family huggedand cried a few tears of their own. Fightingcancer is an amazing and wonderful job, butknowing that you are caring for the whole personmakes it even more meaningful.

Shirley Spier (left)and AmandaKrupa are all

smiles as they geta thankful hug

from HC. Loadedin Henry’s old car

is a smoked turkeyfor Christmas

dinner, and giftsfor the five

grandkids he and his wife are raising.

Center Angel TreesHelp Needy Patients

In cooperation with the National Cancer Institute, The Center will help answer one of the mostimportant questions currently facing women with breast cancer and their doctors. Because of

mammography and other modern breast imaging technologies, more and more women are being diagnosedwith breast cancer in an early stage, before any spread to lymph nodes has occurred. Which of these womenwill really benefit from chemotherapy?

In the TAILORx trial, therapy is guided by the result of genetic testing done on a tiny piece of the cancer. Asa result of this program, we hope to soon limit chemotherapy to women who will truly benefit from it.Women who do not need the more aggressive treatment will be able to avoid the side effects of chemotherapy.

Breast Cancer Research The Center@

THE JOURNAL 9

Taking care ofbreast cancerpatients andtheir familiesis a callingand a passionfor Dr. Young.A native ofTexas, Dr.Young led thebreast cancersection atScott & Whiteclinic beforecoming to Fort Worth to lead theBreast Centerof Excellenceat The Center.

Clinical Director, The Breast Center of Excellence

“Taking care of breast cancer patients and theirfamilies is a calling and a passion for me. TheCenter gave me the opportunity to respond topatients with all the resources of major medicalcenters, while working with some of the finestdoctors in the nation. To offer cutting edge care tobreast cancer patients, along with all the benefits ofliving in north Texas is a tremendous opportunity.”

A passionate science fiction fan (and Star Trek“Trekkie”) from her youth, Dr. Robyn Young grewup in Nacogdoches, Texas. Dr. Young graduatedsumma cum laude from Stephen F. Austin StateUniversity where she excelled in drama and speechcompetitions. Dr. Young earned her medical degreefrom the University of Texas Health Science Centerat Houston. Her residency in Internal Medicine wasat State University of New York (SUNY) inSyracuse, N.Y. She remained at SUNY for herfellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology.

Recovering from the cold weather, she regained hersenses and moved back to Texas, joining the Scott& White clinic in Temple, Texas. While at Scott &White she was instrumental in starting The BreastCancer Treatment Clinic. For almost eight years,she served as the Medical Director of that program.

Throughout medical school, post-graduate trainingand at Scott & White, Dr. Young has been an activeresearcher. Dr. Young is certified by the AmericanBoard of Internal Medicine and by the AmericanBoard of Medical Specialties in Medical Oncology.

In Fort Worth, Dr. Young serves as Clinical Directorof the Breast Center of Excellence at The Center forCancer and Blood Disorders. Dr. Young is alsoMedical Director of the Texas Health ResourcesHarris Methodist Hospital high-risk breast clinic.She has served on numerous community boards,including the Executive Committee of the FortWorth chapter of the American Cancer Society, andworks in close cooperation with the Susan G.Komen For The Cure Foundation. Dr. Young’spreparation in drama and speech has equipped herfor the countless speaking engagements she gives onbreast cancer and related topics to industry,government and community groups.

Dr. Young, her husband Tom and their twochildren make their home in Aledo. She is an avidreader. Her home is built around an old English-style library with floor to ceiling shelves andthousands of books, including all the classicscience fiction titles.

Robyn Young, MD

10 THE JOURNAL

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders isexpanding the Breast Center of Excellenceconcept to south Fort Worth, Texas. The Centerand Huguley Memorial Hospital will togetherdesignate and rebuild a marvelous space just forbreast cancer care. Decorated in warm pastelswith plenty of natural lighting, and pleasantlyfurnished to match a woman’s tastes, the BreastCenter will be a place where women will feelcomfortable and secure participating with theirdoctors in breast cancer care.

“We are going to do something very unique atthe Breast Center,” said Ken Finch, President ofHuguley Hospital. “We’ve adopted a Circle-of-Care concept. Instead of patients being requiredto go to different offices on different dates, eachof the specialists will come to the patient at theHuguley Breast Center, all on the same day.” TheBreast Center of Excellence at Huguley willprovide complete breast services, including

breast health education, genetic counseling andtesting, some screening, diagnostics andtreatment planning.

Each person’s course of treatment at the BreastCenter will revolve around her specific diagnosis,personality, lifestyle and desires. To accomplishthis, The Breast Center at Huguley offers theunique opportunity for each patient to consultprivately and individually with a surgeon, amedical oncologist and a radiation oncologist. Thepatient is encouraged to ask questions and beactively involved in every part of her care. Dr.Shadan Mansoor and Dr. Vinaya Potluri are thetwo Medical Cancer Specialists at the HuguleyBreast Center of Excellence. “We give you the timeyou need to ask your questions and learn moreabout your treatment options,” said Dr. Mansoor.Dr. Potluri added, “We believe this approach is atremendous advantage in helping you understandthe disease and your recommended plan of care.”

New Center Opensin Fort WorthBreast Center of Excellence and Huguley Memorial HospitalDr. Shadan

Mansoor knowsthat there is real

therapy in justintently listening

when her patients describe

their experiences.To Dr. Mansoor,

her patients are a part of her every-

day family. Dr.Shadan Mansoor

came to TheCenter after

a career in academicmedicine at

Tufts NewEngland MedicalCenter, Boston.

With a calmingsmile, a soothingoffice setting and everythingexplained in clear,understandablelanguage, Dr. Potluri puts her patients at ease. Dr. Potluricompleted herfellowship trainingat MD Andersonand Louisiana StateUniversity whereshe served as Chief Fellow in the OncologyDepartment. Dr.Potluri is boardcertified in threedifferent specialties.

THE JOURNAL 11

The new Breast Center at Huguley MemorialHospital is being funded in part by Fort Worth’sown Careity Foundation. Beverly Branch andLyn Walsh started the foundation in 2003 aftermany years of personal philanthropy toorganizations throughout North Texas. Beverlyand Lyn’s dedication to philanthropy began as apersonal mission when both of their motherswere diagnosed with cancer.

The Careity Foundation currently hosts twomajor fundraising events each year. The CelebrityCutting event each December has been amainstay in North Texas for years. Funds fromthe Cutting event provide backing for supportiveclinical services for cancer patients in Tarrant,Parker, Palo Pinto and Johnson counties. Patientsand families are able to receive nutritionalcounseling, pain management services, trainingand education for caregivers and assistance innavigating the health care system.

The second event, “Branded,” was held for the firsttime in 2006 to raise startup funds for a newPediatric Palliative Care Program at CookChildren’s in Fort Worth. “Branded” will becomean annual event supporting pediatric palliative care.

The Careity Foundation is a 501c3 non-profitcharitable organization. For more information,visit the website, www.careity.org.

Careity Foundation

Beverly Branch and Lyn Walsh,founders of theCareity Foundation

12 THE JOURNAL

She sometimes lapses into answering a questionwith an “Aye Aye, Sir,” a reflection of her manyyears of active duty service in the U.S. Navy. Dr.Vasques joins The Center as the first boardcertified female Gynecologic Oncologist in theNorth Texas area.

Dr. Vasques was born in Seattle, Wa., to a familyof very modest means. Her father was a doggroomer; her mother was a homemaker. Thefamily moved to Bozeman, Mont. where shegraduated high school. Dr. Vasques enlisted inthe Navy in order to access GI Bill benefits whenit was time for college.

After boot camp inOrlando, Fla., she wasassigned to the PatuxentRiver Naval Air Stationbeside the Chesapeake Bayin Maryland. At Patuxent,her leadership skillsbecame obvious to herfellow enlisted personnelas well as the command’sofficers. The aircrews werealways taking long flightsto all sorts of interestinglocations on both sides ofthe Atlantic. Dr. Vasquessuggested to her command a program to includeenlisted personnel in the trips. The result wasimproved morale, team spirit and serviceretention. With her program adopted, the futureDr. Vasques traveled to many countries and wasexposed to multiple cultures. Between active dutyand reserve time, Dr. Vasques served in the Navyfor eight years. During her military service, shereceived the coveted Navy Achievement Medaland a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Dr. Vasques graduated from the University of

Maryland, where she received the Golden Keyaward. She attended medical school at thePhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicinewhere she was awarded a scholarship forexcellence in OB/GYN. Dr. Vasques firstcompleted a “rotating” internship during whichshe worked in all medical specialties. Herresidency training in Obstetrics and Gynecologywas completed at York Hospital, York, Pa.,which is affiliated with the University ofPennsylvania. After two years of private practice,Dr. Vasques returned to the academic world asYork’s first fellow in Gynecologic Oncology. Dr.Vasques has the extremely unique honor of being

certified by both the AmericanBoard of Obstetrics andGynecology and the AmericanOsteopathic Board of Obstetricsand Gynecology.

Dr. Vasques is dedicated to thecare of her patients in a warmand understanding environment.She has an intense interest inresearch and medical education,participating at both John PeterSmith Hospital and the University ofNorth Texas Health Science Centerin the training of medical studentsand residents.

Dr. Vasques is an intensely competitive person whenit comes to fighting cancer. That characteristic alsoextends to her little free time. She describes golf asher “favorite sport to hate.” Dr. Vasques also enjoysvacations near the water and admits to being a“rabid” Baltimore Ravens fan.

Appointments with Dr. DeEtte Vasques can bemade by calling 817-759-7000 or by visiting TheCenter website at www.thecentertx.com andclicking on the “request an appointment” tab.

Behind the White CoatDr. DeEtte Vasques

THE JOURNAL 13

Lung cancer remains a major health problem in ourcountry and around the world. Even after surgeryor chemotherapy, many lung cancers recur. TheCenter participated in an international clinical trialevaluating the impact of a new “targeted drug,”Sunitinib, as a maintenance therapy in advancedlung cancer. The goal was to see if Sunitinibprolonged or “maintained” control of the diseaseafter the initial chemotherapy.

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders hadmore patients participate in this important clinicalstudy than any other site in the world. The doctorsat The Center gained more clinical experience withthis new drug than at any other oncology practice or

even major university cancer programs.

Dr. Ray Page, Director of Research at The Center,presented the results of this research with Sunitinibat the European Society of Medical Oncology(ESMO) conference in Berlin, Germany. “It wasimportant,” said Dr. Page, “to disseminate theresults of the study to the European Oncologicsocieties to stimulate ideas for further advancementof lung cancer treatments.” Although the study onlyshowed modest activity of Sunitinib in advancedlung cancer, the results are viewed by cancerspecialists as real progress in the constant search formore efficient and effective treatments for peoplewho develop lung cancer.

The Center Goes International

For both Howard and Beverly Clarke, the cancerjourney was a demanding one, with twists, turnsand detours. Many people travel this journey andarrive as winners at the end—but there are only afew who choose to write about it. Even fewersurvivors record their journey with as much tenderinsight and clarity as do Howard and Beverly. Withgentle, self-deprecating humor and sometimesopening their hearts for all to see their strengths andweaknesses, along with kind words and gentlecritiques of the medical community surroundingthem, Howard and Beverly have published the storyof their cancer journey with The Center for Cancerand Blood Disorders.

Dr. Lance Mandell, Director of the HematologyDivision at The Center, guided Howard through histesting and treatment for lymphoma. “Howard was

a great patient,” said Dr. Mandell. “With Howard,there was a real partnership between doctor andpatient. He understood what was going on and whyit was necessary. And he had a great supportsystem—Beverly was always there for him.”

Both Beverly and Howard kept journals, and theirsuperb little book is drawn from the pages of bothjournals. It is the inspiring story of two people asthey faced cancer together. Beverly was thehousewife unexpectedly thrust into a demandingnew role. Howard, a medical provider himself,became a patient. Through excerpts from theirjournals they share their triumphs, mistakes, lessonslearned and their strengthened relationship witheach other and with God. Each chapter offers usefuldos and don’ts for people with cancer, their familiesand their caregivers.

One Path, Two Stories

Sunitinib (Sutent) isan immune therapydrug that blocksmultiple growth“switches” oncancer cells. It iscurrently approvedby the FDA for thetreatment ofadvanced kidneycancer and certainuncommon types ofintestinal tumors.

RESEARCH UPDATE:

Beverly and Howard’sbook is available for$9.95 from Amazon.Search for the titleWhen Cancer ComesYour Way. An e-bookversion is alsoavailable fromwww.ebookmall.com.

Dr. Ray Page presented the results ofThe Center research efforts at a meeting

of lung cancer specialists in Germany.

14 THE JOURNAL

Could it be called the “Happy Tree” because itoffers so much hope for cancer treatment? TheXi She (literally translated as “happy tree”) isnative to the warm, humid parts of centralChina and Tibet. It can quickly grow to a heightof 75 feet and spreads its shady canopy over a40-foot wide circle. The trees are known fortheir brilliant and beautiful orange to redautumn colors.

In China the tree has been used in traditionalmedicine for ages. The bark, leaves and evenextracts of the wood were used in the treatmentof conditions as diverse as psoriasis, liver andstomach ailments and common colds.

Extracts were also used in China to treatleukemia and stomach or liver cancer. Oncebecoming aware of its folk medicine reputation,a screening program operated by the NationalCancer Institute and the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture began checking to seeif there actually was an anti-cancer chemical inthe tree. The cancer fighting ability of the HappyTree was first verified in 1958.

The initial extracts from the tree were too toxicfor use. Decades of investigation and work todevelop safer derivatives began to bear fruit inthe late ‘80s. Several safe and effectivechemotherapy drugs derived from the HappyTree are now available to patients.

The Happy Trees were not so happy whenharvesting trees to obtain drugs decimated thepopulation of trees in China. Happy Trees usedto line the streets of many cities but almostdisappeared. Trees are now commercially grownin the United States, and most of the drugs arenow produced synthetically without having toharvest growing trees.

Related American trees include the water gumtree or Tupelo (from the Native Americanlanguage meaning “swamp tree”). They arerelated to and sometimes included within thedogwood family. The Happy Tree and itsrelatives belong to a small family of floweringplants called Nyssaceae, named for the waternymph since many species live in shallow pondsor swamps.

The Happy TreeCamptotheca acuminate

Find the Happy Tree

PlaqueUpstairs in

The Center, justoutside the

entrance to theinfusion suite,

find the plaque onthe north wall.

Plaques describingeach of the

medicinal plantsdepicted in TheCenter’s carpet

patterns arescattered in

different areas of the building.

They arefascinating

reading. See how many

you can find.

Native to warm, humid parts of China and Tibet, the Happy Treehas played a part in traditional Chinese healing for thousands ofyears. Drugs initially found in the tree bark and leaves are nowproving useful for many cancers.

The leaf pattern of the Happy Tree is literally underfootoutside the infusion suite at the Magnolia location of TheCenter. Happy Tree leaves figuratively underlie severaleffective cancer therapies.

THE JOURNAL 15

Presidents and cancerThe lead article of our prior issue was about braincancers. When Senator Ted Kennedy, a man whoundoubtedly at one time had presidentialaspirations, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, itstarted us thinking about U.S. presidents and cancer.Excluding common skin cancers, only five U.S.presidents have had the disease. For unknownreasons, this is a rate considerably lower than theoverall population. And only two have died of thedisease (5 percent of presidents vs. 22 percentnationally). None died of a cancer while in office.

The first president known with certainty to have hadcancer was Ulysses Grant. During very stressful CivilWar battles, he was observed to smoke up to 20 cigarsa day. It is little wonder that he developed throatcancer. Herbert Hoover was operated for an intestinalcancer and later died of bleeding from its recurrence.

Three other presidents have had cancers removedby surgery. Ronald Reagan was operated for coloncancer. Dwight Eisenhower had a melanomaremoved. Grover Cleveland underwent a series ofsuccessful operations for a verrucous carcinoma ofthe hard palate. The story of why Cleveland’ssurgery was done on a yacht in New York Harbor,with intense efforts to keep it secret, makes for aninteresting story of political intrigue.

A-Rod can’t cure cancerWhile researching presidents, my thoughts turnedto well-known people of a different sort—sportscelebrities. A few years ago, when Alex Rodriguezwas still a Texas Ranger, he was asked by apersistent sports reporter if he was “really worth”his $25 million contract. His immediate response,as accurate as memory allows, was “Of course not.It’s not like I cure cancer!” At a time when funds forcancer research are under pressure because of theeconomy, one cannot help but wonder aboutmisplaced priorities in our country. Or has it alwaysbeen like this throughout human history?

Secondhand smokeThe case against secondhand smoke is gettingstronger. In one city in Colorado that bannedsmoking in all public places, the rate of hospitaladmissions for heart attacks dropped over a three-year interval to one-third of the prior level.Epidemiologists calculate that secondhand smokecauses 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S.

Baby shower?!Our patients and families frequently commentabout the delightfully welcoming, warm andfriendly staff at The Center for Cancer and BloodDisorders. Fighting cancer is a tough job, withits own distinct stresses. At The Center all theemployees are much like a large family,supporting each other every day. So it is notsurprising that we gather to celebrate joyousfamily milestones. Engagements and weddings,new babies and graduations are all causes tocelebrate together.

But a shower for a new puppy?At the Cleburne regional office,the staff got together recently tosurprise Dorene Scott with ashower of doggy gifts for hernew Maltese. When the specialcake baked by Kathy Noatchwas placed on the breakroom table along with a pictureof the new addition toher family, a very surprisedDorene could hardlybelieve what was happening.Dorene’s husband was in onthe secret and made a surprisevisit to the celebration.Everyone enjoyed watchingDorene open all the cute littlepuppy gifts. It is said that alittle craziness is one of thethings that keeps us sane!

The Doctor’s Lounge

Dr. Lance Mandell(left) and Dr. HenryXiong were caughtby our photographerwhile enjoying afew minutes inthe break room.Dr. Mandell directsthe division ofHematology(diseases of theblood). Dr. Xiong,who came to TheCenter from MDAnderson Hospital,is acknowledged asthe regional expertin gastrointestinaltract cancers and leads the GI Cancer Center of Excellence.

800 W. Magnolia Ave.Fort Worth, TX 76104