Mass General Brigham

What started as a celebration for his daughter’s 10th birthday became a life-altering moment for Joel Gendron. After experiencing a sudden seizure, Joel was rushed to the hospital—where he learned he had a rare brain tumor: an IDH-mutant oligodendroglioma. Thanks to the multidisciplinary care team at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, Joel underwent surgery, chemotherapy and proton radiation therapy. Today, his tumor is stable—and Joel is back to running around soccer fiels, rock climbing and snowboarding. “The care of these patients very much depends on a multidisciplinary approach,” says Omar Arnaout, MD, Joel’s neurosurgeon. “A comprehensive cancer institute needs medical and surgical capabilities, yes, but also social workers, rehab specialists and other teams to help patients and families navigate such a life-changing event.” Joel’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you have a care team with highly specialized expertise, proven experience and a collaborative model of care. “Now I know how to deal with it, and I do pushups in front of my kids so they know their dad is tough,” Joel says. http://spklr.io/6041BMl7D

It truly takes a village to shape the future of cancer care. Recently, members of the team who are working on the Phillip and Susan Ragon Building construction project gathered on the bridge that will soon connect the new facility to Massachusetts General Hospital's main campus. This moment represents just a fraction of the countless individuals whose dedication has brought us this far—and whose efforts will continue long after the building opens in early 2028. Pictured: Members from Mass General Brigham Leadership, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, Turner Construction Company / Walsh Brothers, Incorporated, Leggat McCall Properties, NBBJ Design, Reed Hilderbrand, BR+A, McNamara • Salvia, Structural Engineers and Massachusetts General Hospital: planning and construction, development, buildings and grounds.

At Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, world-class specialists unite to deliver exceptional cancer care. Leaders like Daphne Haas-Kogan, MD, Radiation Oncologist-in-Chief, embody this commitment to teamwork, bringing expertise, compassion, and purpose to a unified team working for every patient.

Colorectal cancer rates have been climbing mysteriously among people under 50. Andrew T. Chan, MD, a gastroenterologist at Mass General Brigham, has been investigating this question for decades. In a study published today in JAMA Oncology, Dr. Chan and his colleagues suggest that ultraprocessed foods — which have become increasingly common in our diets — may play a role. The team examined women in their 20s to 40s. Those who consumed more ultraprocessed foods had a higher risk of developing precancerous colorectal polyps — abnormal cell clusters in the colon or rectum that can progress to cancer — before age 50, compared with those who ate fewer. Ultraprocessed foods include sugary sodas, processed meats, candies, chips, and other products made with ingredients rarely found in a home kitchen. See more from The New York Times: http://spklr.io/6044BMkmo

Remy Dumas is an incredible 12-year-old boy with Ewing sarcoma, a pediatric bone cancer affecting his left pelvic bone with limited spread to his lungs. He is the first pediatric patient at Mass General Brigham to receive adaptive radiation treatment on the Ethos machine. This state-of-the-art technology delivered precise, definitive radiation to Remy’s pelvic tumor using a real-time, CT-guided adaptive workflow. During treatment, Remy enjoyed watching Demon Slayer—made possible by a novel audiovisual system that helps young patients stay relaxed and engaged during radiation therapy at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. After treatment, Remy enjoys building Legos and playing field hockey, which he hopes to return to soon. Friday, Remy was proud to ring the bell three times to signify the end of his radiation treatment, surrounded by family and radiation oncology staff who came together to celebrate this momentous occasion.