Sanchit Mehta, Intern doctor at B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, shared on LinkedIn:
“Incredibly grateful to have completed a rotation with the Genitourinary Oncology team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate.
During my time in the clinics, I had the opportunity to observe the care of patients across a wide spectrum of genitourinary malignancies, present and discuss clinical cases and gain a deeper understanding of how complex treatment decisions are made in practice. I saw firsthand how precision oncology is integrated into patient care, from the use of molecular and genomic information and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to guide and monitor treatment, to considering each patient’s disease course and prior therapies when navigating subsequent treatment options.
One of the most valuable aspects of this experience was seeing how clinical research directly translates into patient care. I observed patients being considered for and enrolled in clinical trials, providing access to investigational therapies beyond currently available standard-of-care options. It gave me a much better understanding of how clinical trials are thoughtfully incorporated into treatment pathways and how rapidly evolving evidence can shape the options available to patients with advanced malignancies.
I am truly grateful to my mentors, Dr. Prateek Khanna and Dr. Bicky Thapa , for their continued guidance, mentorship, and for taking the time to involve me in meaningful discussions throughout this rotation.
It was also an honor to meet Dr. Toni Choueiri , Division Chief of Genitourinary Oncology, whose contributions to the field have profoundly shaped the landscape of GU cancer care and research. I also had the pleasure of learning from and working alongside the incredible nursing and clinical trial teams, whose dedication and collaborative efforts are integral to delivering exceptional patient care and advancing clinical research.
I leave this experience humbled and with a deeper appreciation for the intersection of patient care, precision medicine, and research in oncology, and most importantly, for the people who work behind the scenes to make that possible every day.
Thank you to everyone who made this rotation such a meaningful one.
Onward and upward!”
Other articles about ctDNA on OncoDaily.
