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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jul 16

Joel Graybeal was diagnosed with #ProstateCancer in July 2022 and learned that it had already metastasized. In an interview with People, Joel and his wife share how they refuse to let cancer stop them from living the life of their dreams.

people.com/prostate-can...

N.C. Couple Makes 'Every Minute Count' After Metastatic Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: 'So Grateful for Any Time I Get with This Man'

Joel and Caroline Graybeal became a powerful team in the face of his health news – and they're making the most of their 'blessings' with travel and time together. "You can't give cancer the power to t...

people.com

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 27

Like the brain, almost all cancers can spread to the bone but some are more likely than others. Breast, lung, prostate, kidney, melanoma, ovarian, and thyroid cancers are the most common. The spine is the most common site for bone metastases.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 26

It takes a village to care for patients. Visit brainspinemetastasis.org to find patient resources and our partner organizations.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 24

Thank you to Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) for continuing to support brain and spine metastasis awareness. On Monday, Rep. Foushee reintroduced a resolution naming June Brain and Spine Metastasis Awareness Month.

Read more: neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/foushee...

Foushee reintroduces Brain Spine Metastasis Awareness Month resolution

Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) Monday reintroduced a resolution designating June as Brain and Spine Metastasis Awareness Month.

neurosurgery.duke.edu

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 24

Until about 10 years ago, patients with brain and spine metastases weren't eligible to participate in clinical trials. Today, we have trials designed specifically for these patients.

Learn more about active trials here: neurosurgery.duke.edu/mets-resources

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 23

About 15% of people with kidney cancer will develop brain metastases.

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 20

Everything changed for Brian FitzGerald in an instant. After spending the summer looking for answers, one last scan kicked off a whirlwind of surgery and treatments for melanoma that had metastasized to his brain.

Read his story here: neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/south-c...

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 19

It's important for caregivers to take care of themselves, too. That means practicing self-care, but also recognizing burnout and when to ask for help.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 18

Duke's April Salama, MD, and Lucy Boyce Kennedy, MD, of Cleveland Clinic published a review looking at how to choose therapies to treat metastatic melanoma.

Read the review here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 17

SRS (stereotactic radiosurgery) uses high radiation doses in precisely targeted areas to treat tumors, especially in delicate places like the brain.

SRS minimizes damage to nearby healthy tissue compared to whole brain radiation. Learn more: www.dukehealth.org/treatments/s...

Source: Duke Health

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 16

Brain metastases are one of the most common complications of melanoma. More than 60% of stage IV melanoma patients will develop brain metastases.

Source: AIM at Melanoma

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 13

Almost any cancer can spread to the brain and spine, but some metastasize there more often. Lung, breast, prostate, melanoma, and colon cancer are among the more common.

#OncSky #MedSky

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 12

Cancer support services are about making sure patients are cared for as a whole person. At Duke, services include supportive counseling, child life specialists, nutrition & exercise consultations, physical & occupational therapy, & palliative care. Learn more:

www.dukehealth.org/locations/du...

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 11

Researchers at Duke have found that breast cancer can enter the lining of the brain (leptomeninges) through bone marrow and emissary veins. Read more here:

neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/duke-re...

#AcademicSky #OncSky #MedSky

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 10

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine a monoclonal antibody and chemotherapy with a linking protein. The antibody will only bind to one substance which targets the chemotherapy to specific cancer cells, making healthy cell less likely to be harmed.

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 9

More than 60% of patients with advanced prostate cancer will eventually develop bone metastases. The spine is one of the most common places for bone metastasis.

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 9

10-15% of people with stage IV breast cancer have brain metastases.

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 6

Metastatic brain tumors are different than primary brain tumors. Not only are they more common, they're not actually brain cancer. The cancer is still the primary cancer - lung, breast, or others - but that cancer is now in the brain.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 5

Palliative care is about providing relief and preventing suffering at any age or stage of illness. Palliative care experts partner with patients, their families, and their medical teams to meet your personalized goals.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 4

A recent study by DCBSM researchers found a nearly two-fold increase in the risk of radiation necrosis among patients with brain metastases receiving immunotherapies within four weeks of radiosurgery.

Learn more: neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/therapy...

#OncSky #MedSky #AcademicSky

A recent study by Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis researchers found a nearly two-fold increase in the risk of radiation necrosis among patients with brain metastases receiving immunotherapies within four weeks of radiosurgery.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 3

LITT (laser interstitial thermal therapy) uses a laser to destroy unhealthy brain tissue, including new & recurrent brain tumors & radiation necrosis.

LITT is minimally invasive - the opening in the scalp is only about as big as a pencil eraser.

Learn more: www.dukehealth.org/treatments/n...

LITT (laser interstitial thermal therapy) is a minimally invasive surgical technique. LITT can be effective for recurrent brain tumors, radiation necrosis, and tumors deep within the brain that would otherwise be inoperable.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · Jun 2

Did you know? Among patients with lung cancer, about 16-20 percent develop brain metastases. Risk of brain mets is highest in SCLC, EGFR, and ALK positive lung cancers.

#OncSky #MedSky

Among patients with lung cancer, about 16-20% develop brain metastases.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · May 29

New research from members of the DCBSM & Duke Radiation Oncology graduate students highlights using artificial intelligence to differentiate between local recurrence & radiation necrosis in patients with brain metastasis.

#AcademicSky #MedSky #OncSky

www.dukecancerinstitute.org/blogs/new-ai...

New AI Methods Advance Diagnosis After Brain Metastasis Treatment

New research from a team of experts at Duke University School of Medicine highlights the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and computational methods to differentiate between local recurrence and rad...

www.dukecancerinstitute.org

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · May 8

We're excited to virtually welcome Melanie Hayden Gephart to Duke on May 22! Dr. Hayden Gephart is a brain tumor neurosurgeon at Stanford University.

Find more information and the Zoom link here:
calendar.duke.edu/show?fq=id%3...

CME is available for this event.

Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · May 5

Reductions in cancer death rates translates to more than 4.1 million cancer deaths avoided in the U.S. between 1991 and 2021. The decline is due to advancements in treatments and early detection thanks to cancer research.

Source: @theaacr.bsky.social #UnitedByCancerResearch #NCRM25

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