Australian doctor Richard Scolyer cancer-free year after terminal diagnosis

Lifestyle

by Nicholas McIntyre

An Australian doctor who was diagnosed with a late-stage brain tumor last year has beaten the cancer thanks to a first-of-its-kind treatment he helped develop.

Professor Richard Scolier from the University of Sydney revealed on Monday that the incurable stage 4 glioblastoma found in his head has not returned since his heartbreaking diagnosis in June last year.

“I had a #MRI scan of my brain last Thursday to look for recurrent glioblastoma (and/or treatment complications). Found out yesterday and there’s no sign of recurrence yet. I couldn’t be happier. There is no!!!” shared by a professor. on X.

In May 2023, the healthy educator was traveling across Europe to speak at medical conferences when he suffered a seizure while in Poland.

Mr Scoyer returned to Australia, where he underwent an MRI scan that revealed he had glioblastoma, an aggressive, late-stage brain tumor. His subtype is classified as aggressive, with most patients not surviving beyond a year. According to the BBC.

The pathologist, director of the Melanoma Institute of Australia, has worked with co-director Georgina Long to develop a treatment plan to help fight this deadly disease.

Their 10 years of immunotherapy research at the Melanoma Institute has dramatically improved outcomes for patients with advanced melanoma, and as a result they are jointly awarded the 2024 NSW Australian of the Year award. Selected as The Year.

Leveraging information discovered during research into immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells, Long and her team will help Scolier fight. The best result was the world’s first treatment method that uses multiple drugs in combination before surgery. That kind response.

After consulting with experts, Professor Long decided on combination immunotherapy, which would be administered before and after Mr Scolier’s surgery to remove the tumor.

In addition to the combination immunotherapy, Scolier was the first to receive a vaccine specifically tailored to the characteristics of his tumor, which helps the drug increase its ability to detect cancer.

After the surgery, he also underwent six weeks of radiation therapy.

Scoyer’s treatment didn’t start off smoothly.

After suffering epileptic seizures, liver problems and pneumonia for the first few months, he has since recovered and returned to his daily routine, including brisk jogging 15.3 miles a day.

“This is the best I’ve felt for young people (in many years),” Scoria told the BBC.

“It certainly doesn’t mean my brain tumor is cured… but I’m so glad to know it hasn’t come back yet. So I still have time to enjoy life with my wife Katie and our three wonderful people. ” Children. ”

Mr. Skolyar documents his medical journey and shares all his MRI results, including photos, on social media.