Some cancer patients have to undergo extensive surgery that dramatically alters their appearance, often causing great emotional distress. Thanks to the work of Dr. Vladimir Frias, Director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, they can look like themselves again.

While oral chemotherapy can be just as effective as infusion chemotherapy, and likely more convenient, it can present challenges.

Anurag Singh, MD, and Emese Zsiros, MD, PhD, FACOG, are among the Roswell Park doctors finding innovative ways to improve patients’ quality of life without sacrificing effective cancer treatment.

“The evidence shows that acupuncture works really well to help with side effects, including digestive issues and neuropathy in the hands and feet.”

“This strategy will allow us to identify toxicity earlier, treat it and avoid long-term complications of prolonged immunosuppression."

“A diagnosis of cancer has the potential to stop everything. It can delay or even eliminate large portions of your timeline and life goals, such as when or how to start a family.”

Pay careful attention to proper handling and preparation of food that will be eaten by a cancer patient. For people with weakened immune systems, foodborne illnesses may cause even more serious illnesses or require hospitalization.

“Since myeloma currently is a chronic disease considered incurable, we work on both finding a cure but also adding new treatments to the cancer journey of patients to prolong their lives while preserving and ideally even improving their quality of life.”

Several well-regarded studies confirm that approximately 18 to 20% of adult cancer survivors report symptoms of anxiety and depression at some point during the first 12 months after treatment.