The Onco Life Podcast

Your liver plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and supporting cancer care. In this episode, discover how the liver functions, what tests can detect problems early, and how to keep it healthy during cancer treatment. Listeners will learn: How the liver processes nutrients, removes toxins, and supports digestion The difference between primary liver cancer and cancer that spreads to the...

The intermediate stage of liver cancer, often called stage 2, is a turning point where tumors are larger or involve blood vessels but have not spread widely. At this stage, doctors balance treatment with preserving liver function, making it crucial for patients to understand their options. In this episode, you’ll learn: How doctors use the BCLC system to classify stage 2 liver cancer The role of l...

Early-stage liver cancer treatment gives patients the strongest chance for long-term survival since tumors are small, localized, and the liver is still functioning well. At stage 1, surgery, liver resection, or transplant may offer curative results, while local therapies provide effective alternatives when surgery isn’t possible. In this episode, you’ll learn: How doctors confirm stage 1 liver can...

Your first visit with an oncologist can feel overwhelming, but understanding what happens during the appointment can help you feel more confident and prepared. In this episode, we explain exactly what to expect at your initial oncology consultation and how it lays the foundation for your personalized cancer care plan. In this episode, you’ll learn: What happens when you first meet your medical onc...

Immunotherapy is transforming the way doctors treat liver cancer, especially advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By training the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, immunotherapy provides hope for patients who cannot undergo surgery or whose cancer no longer responds to other treatments. In this episode, you’ll learn: How immunotherapy helps the immune system fight live...

Targeted therapy is changing how doctors treat liver cancer, especially in advanced stages where surgery isn’t possible. By blocking the specific growth signals that fuel tumors, these treatments slow cancer progression, cut off blood supply to tumors, and support the immune system, all with fewer side effects than chemotherapy. In this episode, you’ll learn: How targeted therapy works to block tu...

Understanding prostate cancer risk can help men take charge of their health. In this episode, we explore who faces a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and how genetics, lifestyle, and early screening play a role in prevention and detection. Listeners will learn: Why age is one of the biggest prostate cancer risk factors How family history increases the likelihood of prostate cancer The imp...

Chemoembolization (TACE) and radioembolization (TARE) are two leading treatments for liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both approaches target tumors directly while protecting healthy liver tissue, but each has unique benefits depending on stage, tumor size, and liver function. This episode breaks down how they work, who benefits most, and what research says about their effec...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, now has more treatment options than ever before. From early detection to advanced systemic therapies, this episode explores how doctors personalize care to improve survival and quality of life for HCC patients. In this episode, you’ll learn: How imaging tools like MRI and CT improve early detection of liver cancer Why ar...

Detecting liver cancer early is one of the most important steps toward successful treatment and better outcomes. Doctors use a combination of blood tests, imaging scans, and sometimes liver biopsies to confirm diagnosis, identify the type of cancer, and determine its stage. Regular monitoring also plays a key role for patients with liver disease, helping doctors catch changes before cancer progres...

The PSA test is one of the most common tools doctors use to screen for prostate cancer, but what do the results really mean? In this episode, we break down how PSA levels are measured, what can cause them to rise, and the follow-up steps doctors may recommend. You will learn: What the PSA test measures and why it matters Common reasons for elevated PSA levels besides cancer How age and family hist...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, now has more treatment options than ever before. From early detection with advanced imaging to systemic therapies and clinical trials, doctors can create personalized plans to improve survival and quality of life. In this episode, you’ll learn: How doctors stage HCC to guide treatment decisions When surgery or a liver transplant...

This episode explores unusual pancreatic tumors like lymphoma and sarcoma, which differ from the more common pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Listeners will gain insights into what makes these cancers rare, how they are diagnosed, and the treatment options available. You will learn: How pancreatic lymphoma and sarcoma differ from typical pancreatic cancers The key symptoms patients should watch f...

Stage 3 breast cancer survival rates vary by age, subtype, and treatment access. This episode breaks down global statistics, Malaysia’s data, and how age affects treatment outcomes and survival. You will learn: The global 5-year survival rate for stage 3 breast cancer Why do younger women often face more aggressive cancers like TNBC How middle-aged patients typically achieve the best survival outc...

Pancreatic cancer is often called a silent disease because symptoms can be subtle in the early stages. This episode highlights the most common warning signs and why acting quickly can make a difference in outcomes. You will learn: The first visible signs, including jaundice, dark urine, and itchy skin How unexplained weight loss and appetite changes may signal concern The role of greasy stools and...

In this episode, we explore how palliative care for lung cancer helps patients manage symptoms, ease side effects, and improve overall quality of life. Palliative care specialists provide comfort and support at every stage, working alongside cancer treatments to ensure dignity and daily independence. You’ll learn: What palliative care is and how it supports patients with lung cancer How doctors, n...

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare tumors that develop in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. This episode explains what PNETs are, how they differ from common pancreatic cancer, and why early diagnosis is important for effective care. In this episode, you will learn: What pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are and how they develop The difference between functional and non-fu...

This episode explains the important differences between targeted therapy and chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, helping patients understand their treatment choices and possible side effects. You will learn: Why doctors may recommend chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of both How chemotherapy works to attack rapidly dividing cancer cells The role of targeted therapies in blocking spe...

A new study reveals how breast cancer’s tumor microenvironment (TME) changes during chemotherapy, reshaping immune cells, fibroblasts, and blood vessels. These findings provide fresh insight into why some patients respond better to treatment and how future therapies can be more personalized. In this episode, you will learn: Why breast tumors act like ecosystems of different cell types How chemothe...

Cancer treatments are often judged by survival rates, but how do they impact patients’ daily lives? This episode explores why quality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) must be included in cancer drug trials and how they change the way patients, doctors, and researchers evaluate therapies. In this episode, you’ll learn: What does quality of life and HRQoL mean in cancer care...

In this episode, we explore IDEAYA Biosciences’ request for FDA approval to begin clinical testing of IDE892, a new targeted therapy designed for patients with MTAP-deleted non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This potential breakthrough drug represents a step forward in precision cancer treatment. You’ll learn: What IDE892 is and how it works as a PRMT5 inhibitor Why MTAP-deleted NSCLC patients co...

In this episode, we explore the latest advances in treating estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, with a spotlight on lasofoxifene, a next-generation hormonal therapy showing promise for patients with advanced disease and bone metastasis. You’ll learn: Why is such a common site for ER+ breast cancer metastasis How traditional endocrine therapies can weaken bone health and impact quality...

In this episode, we break down what patients can expect from radiation therapy for breast cancer, a proven treatment that reduces the risk of recurrence and supports recovery after surgery or chemotherapy. You’ll learn: Why radiation therapy is an important part of breast cancer treatment The different types of radiation therapy, including external beam and partial breast options How advanced radi...

In this episode, we explore the role of oncologists and why no single doctor can treat every type of cancer. Instead, different oncology specialists work together to provide patients with the most effective care and treatment plan. You’ll learn: The different types of oncologists and the cancers they focus on How medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists work together in patient care Factors do...

In this episode, we break down a major new study that uncovered strong links between autoimmune diseases and gastrointestinal cancers. Researchers analyzed data from 1.5 million patients and found both increased and reduced cancer risks depending on the autoimmune condition. You’ll learn: How celiac disease sharply raises the risk of small intestine and esophageal cancers Why type 1 diabetes is li...