ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What are lung NETs? What is DIPNECH? How is lung NET similar or different from lung cancer? Dr. Vineeth Sukrithan from Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center gives a comprehensive overview of lung NET and DIPNECH, including the work-up and treatment options. He also discusses open clinical trials and exciting advances in lung NET research on the horizon.
MEET DR. VINEETH K. SUKRITHAN
Dr. Vineeth Sukrithan is a medical oncologist who specializes in the study and treatment of neuroendocrine cancer, thyroid cancer and adrenocortical cancer. He utilizes traditional chemotherapy, molecularly targeted oral medications, novel immunotherapy and peptide-receptor radiotherapies in the treatment of these unique cancers.
As a comprehensive cancer center, the OSUCCC - James has unrivaled experience and expertise in the treatment of neuroendocrine, thyroid and adrenal tumors. Their world-renowned faculty are leaders in the study and treatments of these rare cancers, and as such, they are able to provide their patients with options beyond standard therapies that may not be available anywhere else.
The strong focus on translational research at The James means that the treatment breakthroughs of tomorrow are being discovered in their laboratories today. Dr. Sukrithan is part of a tight-knit team of surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and interventional radiologists who work together to provide cutting-edge care for our patients with neuroendocrine tumors.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sukrithan is a member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC - James and the co-director of the Adrenal Tumor Clinic. He was recently selected to lead an externally funded effort through the International Thyroid Oncology Group to operationalize a multi-institutional registry database for patients with medullary thyroid cancer.
Dr. Sukrithan also serves as an assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at The Ohio State University and has completed postdoctoral fellowships in clinical research at Johns Hopkins University. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including Cancer Research, American Journal of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Lung Cancer.
As every individual’s cancer is molecularly unique in countless ways, Dr. Sukrithan believes in tailoring therapies to the individual with the precision made available through cutting-edge scientific research. He feels it is a privilege to make a difference in the lives of patients as we work together to achieve a cancer-free world.
TOP 10 QUESTIONS
1. What are lung NETs? Where are they located?
2. How are lung NETs found? What are the symptoms of a lung NET?
3. How is lung NETs different (or similar) to what is commonly referred to as “lung cancer”?
4. How is it different or similar to DIPNECH? Do all lung NET patients have DIPNECH and do all DIPNECH patients have lung NET?
5. How is lung NET similar or different from other types of NETs? What makes it unique?
6. What types of labs, scans, or testing is done to determine if someone has a lung NET and DIPNECH? What is the best type of scan for lung NETs?
7. How do you decide if the lung NET can be surgically removed? What type of surgeon would make that determination and when in their patient journey might they see a surgeon?
8. How are lung NETs treated medically (or nonsurgically)? How are the treatments different from other NETs? How are treatments sequenced?
9. How are lung NETs monitored? What types of blood work, tests and scans should be done and how often should they be done?
10. What advances in the field or clinical trials should we be aware of? What new advances or treatments in the pipeline for lung NETs are you most excited about?