A potential response to cancer is written — on a microscopic level — in its very tumor cells. For decades, treatment and prognosis of the disease has been largely determined by the organ, the anatomical location in which the cancerous mass is located. But now, science has placed a spotlight on something more ambitious: learning the tumor’s signature, or rather, the molecular alterations that characterize its malignant cells. The latest meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which took place last weekend in Chicago, has given further impetus to precision oncology and highlighted how cancer biology, those microscopic genetic characteristics that define it, are playing an increasingly important role in determining therapeutic approach, and even predicting prognosis.

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© Lukas Kabon (Anadolu Agency / Getty)

“If no one asks me, I know what time is. When they ask me, I no longer know,” wrote the philosopher Augustine of Hippo 17 centuries ago. Something very similar happens now with aging: we all understand what it is, but when we ask ourselves why we must age and die, doubts arise. Even the world’s leading experts face the same uncertainty: at best they offer very different answers.

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A glance at Winette Van der Graaf’s extensive résumé is enough to certify that this Dutch oncologist has been an exceptional witness, if not a fundamental part, of the great scientific revolution that cancer research has undergone in recent decades. An expert in sarcomas and cancers in teens and young adults, Van der Graaf was one of the pioneers in providing care — and personalized assistance — to people between the ages of 15 and 39 who develop cancer. Sometimes in no man’s land, halfway between pediatric and adult oncology, cancer at this age puts life “on hold,” says Van der Graaf.

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The overall survival rate for people who got daraxonrasib was 13.2 months, nearly double the 6.7 months people survived on standard chemotherapy alone.

Teddi Mellencamp is giving her followers an insightful peek behind her posts.  Two months after the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum completed one year of her stage four cancer diagnosis, she...

Funds raised for a Hong Kong hairstylist who died from nasopharyngeal cancer in April will be donated to NGO Cancer Information, as per his wishes.

Two rounds of fundraising initiatives for Pitt Cheung raised a total of HK$831,000 for his specialist treatment, leaving a balance of over HK$140,000 after his passing in April.

The fundraiser said that Cheung had exhausted radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments at public hospitals, so he switched to a recommended chemotherapy drug called Nab-paclitaxel, costing HK$72,000 per month.

Cheung died peacefully in hospital on April 26. A funeral for the 44-year-old was held on May 9.

“After deduct[ing] the expenses for chemotherapy, follow-up appointments, check-ups, the chemo port surgery and hospitalisation, we are left with HK$140,620. Per Pitt’s wishes, we will donate this sum to NGO @cancer_information,” a post on Cheung’s fundraising Instagram account said on Sunday.

“This NGO provided lots of professional support and companionship to Pitt when he was fighting cancer, and we hope the funds can be used to help more people.”

The post thanked the Hong Kong United Oncology Centre, where he was cared for, as well as donors, friends and family who supported his journey.

Medical oncologist Dr. Jennifer Knox independently reviewed a U.S.-led study of the experimental drug daraxonrasib and calls the results "amazing."

The Kelowna construction worker had recently landed a job with Northland Properties and was settling into the role when his life took an unexpected turn. 

Kate Middleton is detailing a cancer diagnosis’ ripple effect.  Specifically, how it impacts the loved ones of the person navigating the illness. Over a year after the Princess of Wales announced...

Barry Manilow just wants to sing the old songs again. Two months after announcing he's cancer free, the "Copacabana" singer shared a heartbreaking update amid his recovery from a "nightmare"...

A novel pill helped people with advanced pancreatic cancer live longer, researchers reported Sunday, raising hopes of long-needed better treatments for one of the deadliest types of cancer.

Sharon Stone had an instinct her previous marriage had run its course. The Basic Instinct actress revealed that she ended her marriage because of the way her ex-husband reacted to her early 2000s...