Patient Narratives Highlight MD Anderson's Multidisciplinary Approach in Ovarian Cancer and Rare Skull Base Tumor Care
Key Insights
Two patient stories illustrate the value of seeking specialized cancer care at MD Anderson for complex ovarian cancer (search) recurrence and a rare skull base tumor.
An ovarian cancer (search) patient received laparoscopic debulking surgery and maintenance olaparib after a collaborative review by gynecologic and urologic oncologists.
A skull base tumor survivor underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and chemotherapy after prior treatments failed, achieving no evidence of disease since August 2020.
Two patient experiences shared by MD Anderson Cancer Center underscore the impact of multidisciplinary, specialized cancer care for complex gynecologic and rare head-and-neck malignancies. The narratives, published on the institution’s Cancerwise platform, detail treatment journeys for recurrent ovarian cancer (search) and a recurrent skull base tumor, highlighting the integration of surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and personalized systemic therapy.
A 2022 ovarian cancer (search) diagnosis initially managed near Boston led a patient to seek a second opinion at MD Anderson in March 2025 after imaging revealed an enlarged lymph node suspicious for recurrence. Surgical oncologist Dr. Alexandra Bercow, who specializes in gynecologic cancers, conducted an independent evaluation and recommended a laparoscopic approach to assess disease extent. The plan called for debulking surgery if disease remained localized, or initiation of chemotherapy if metastatic spread was too extensive. Dr. Bercow also coordinated with urologic oncologist Dr. José Karam to ensure his availability during the procedure in case kidney involvement necessitated removal.
“She explained that when ovarian cancer (search) is confined to one area, it’s better to start treatment by removing as much of it as possible, in what’s called a debulking surgery. If there’s too much evidence of metastatic disease, though, it’s better to start with chemotherapy,” the patient recounted. Dr. Bercow further reviewed the case with colleagues to confirm no details were overlooked.
Surgery took place on April 22, 2025, followed by six cycles of chemotherapy administered locally. The patient subsequently began maintenance therapy with the PARP inhibitor olaparib and has shown no evidence of disease since December of that year. The patient noted that lingering anxiety in medical settings stems from prior experiences, not from MD Anderson, where requests for pre-procedural anxiolytics were met without hesitation.
In a separate case, a patient first diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma (search) in 2007 later developed radiation-associated osteosarcoma (search) and, in March 2020, a recurrence of the original tumor wrapped around the internal carotid artery at the skull base. Local treatment in Kansas, including one chemotherapy regimen, proved ineffective, and the tumor was deemed inoperable. Upon referral to MD Anderson, sarcoma medical oncologist Dr. Maria Zarzour identified additional chemotherapy options. Head and neck surgeon Dr. Ehab Hanna concurred that surgery was not feasible and referred the patient to radiation oncologist Dr. Jack Phan.
Dr. Phan, who specializes in re-irradiation of previously treated areas, recommended stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The patient completed two rounds of chemotherapy at MD Anderson, followed by SBRT, and then four additional chemotherapy cycles at home under MD Anderson supervision. As of August 2020, the patient has shown no evidence of disease and has since returned to work as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Both accounts emphasize the role of coordinated, expert-driven care in managing complex oncologic cases. The ovarian cancer (search) patient described the combination of clinical expertise and compassionate communication as “the best of both worlds,” while the skull base tumor survivor stated, “I went to UT MD Anderson expecting to die. Instead, I left with hope and a plan.”