Week 2 : Zuzanna

This week I went into clinic with my clinician and shadowed as he saw patients. He sees patients in urological oncology, so I saw many cancer patients. It was interesting to see the different types of patients he sees, from people who are in chemo and immunotherapy, as well as people who are getting prepped for surgery. It was interesting to learn the different combinations of therapies used to treat patients, and even with these less invasive treatments, surgical intervention is often included. I learned removal of the entire bladder is still standard even if it has a tumor removed as it still has relapse risk. In my Ithaca campus lab I am making immunotherapeutic hydrogels so it can be interesting to see how to combine those with current standards. In lab, I currently have been analyzing cancer organoid images, so that can be a useful skill for some imaging I want to do in my Ithaca campus lab as well.

While my clinician mainly has male patients due to the predominance of males affected with the cancer he treats, there was a female patient that had previously had a cancer treated by my clinician, but came back with what was a uterine benign tumor, where it was optional for her to remove it, and was sent to an OB/GYN as they further specialize in uterine tumors. It is interesting to see the clinical flow of further consults and treatments, but also see the emotional affect it has on patients, as the clinician must remain professional and think of the treatment option, while also consoling a distressed patient. I may see some surgeries in the next few weeks.