Australian doctor defies 'certain death' with groundbreaking cancer treatment he created
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In a tale that reads like a medical miracle, Dr Richard Scolyer, an Australian Doctor and Professor at the University of Sydney, defied the odds in a personal battle against a formidable enemy: glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
His story is not just one of survival against the odds but also of innovation and hope for countless others facing similar diagnoses.
Dr Scolyer, a 56-year-old Pathologist recognised for his groundbreaking work in melanoma research, was diagnosed with glioblastoma after experiencing a seizure while attending medical conferences in Europe.
The diagnosis was grim; glioblastoma is known for its poor prognosis, with a median survival time of just 14 months post-diagnosis.
The standard treatment had remained unchanged for nearly two decades, typically involving surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
For Dr Scolyer, this news was life-altering, turning his world 'upside down'.
‘Not only is it tough on me, but has had a massive impact and made life very difficult for those closest to me,’ he shared on social media.
However, Dr Scolyer's response to his diagnosis was as extraordinary as his career. He decided to become a pioneer once again, this time in his own treatment.
Alongside his friend and Medical Oncologist, Professor Georgina Long, who shared the title of 2024 New South Wales Australian of the Year with him for their lifesaving work in melanoma, Dr Scolyer embarked on a world-first experimental treatment.
This innovative approach involved a combination of immunotherapy treatments delivered before and after surgery to remove the tumour, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy and a personalised vaccine targeting the tumour.
‘We’ve taken everything, absolutely every bit of knowledge… that we’ve pioneered in melanoma, and we’ve thrown it at Richard’s tumour,’ Dr Long stated.
The decision to undergo this experimental treatment was not without risks. There was a real possibility that the treatment could accelerate his decline.
‘No one knew what it was going to do, people were nervous because it could actually cause my life to end more quickly. But when you’re faced with certain death, it’s a no-brainer for me,’ Dr Scolyer said.
His courage to take this step was driven by the hope that it would not only benefit him but also pave the way for new treatments for other cancer patients.
The treatment's early results were promising, showing a tenfold increase in immune cells.
Dr Scolyer documented his journey on social media, sharing his experiences from the pre-surgical suite at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he had worked for 25 years, to the anxious moments before surgery and the hopeful updates that followed.
Source: @profrscolyer/Instagram
Ten months after his initial diagnosis, Dr Scolyer shared the fantastic news that his latest MRI brain scan showed no sign of tumour recurrence.
‘Amazingly, my latest MRI brain scan shows no recurrence 10 months since my glioblastoma presented with a seizure in Poland,’ he said.
This outcome was far beyond what he had expected, saying: ‘This is not what I expected. The average time to recurrence for the nasty type of brain cancer I’ve got is six months. So, to be out this far is amazing.’
Dr. Scolyer's story is a beacon of hope for those facing similar battles. It underscores the importance of medical research and the potential for innovative treatments to change the course of diseases once thought unbeatable.
He shared: ‘I’m extremely hopeful that the novel neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy I’ve had and the scientific changes we demonstrated in my tumour post versus pre-immunotherapy are being translated into clinical benefit!’
His journey also highlights the power of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
As our members of the Seniors Discount Club, many of whom have faced their own health challenges or supported loved ones through theirs, Dr Scolyer's story might resonate deeply.
It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there can be light—a breakthrough, a new treatment, a chance for a longer life.
You can watch an interview with Dr Scolyer here:
Source: ABC News In-depth/YouTube
What are your thoughts on Dr Scolyer’s story, members? Have you or someone you know been touched by a similar story of a medical breakthrough? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!
His story is not just one of survival against the odds but also of innovation and hope for countless others facing similar diagnoses.
Dr Scolyer, a 56-year-old Pathologist recognised for his groundbreaking work in melanoma research, was diagnosed with glioblastoma after experiencing a seizure while attending medical conferences in Europe.
The diagnosis was grim; glioblastoma is known for its poor prognosis, with a median survival time of just 14 months post-diagnosis.
Dr Richard Scolyer was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Image source: @profrscolyer/Instagram
The standard treatment had remained unchanged for nearly two decades, typically involving surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
For Dr Scolyer, this news was life-altering, turning his world 'upside down'.
‘Not only is it tough on me, but has had a massive impact and made life very difficult for those closest to me,’ he shared on social media.
However, Dr Scolyer's response to his diagnosis was as extraordinary as his career. He decided to become a pioneer once again, this time in his own treatment.
Alongside his friend and Medical Oncologist, Professor Georgina Long, who shared the title of 2024 New South Wales Australian of the Year with him for their lifesaving work in melanoma, Dr Scolyer embarked on a world-first experimental treatment.
This innovative approach involved a combination of immunotherapy treatments delivered before and after surgery to remove the tumour, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy and a personalised vaccine targeting the tumour.
‘We’ve taken everything, absolutely every bit of knowledge… that we’ve pioneered in melanoma, and we’ve thrown it at Richard’s tumour,’ Dr Long stated.
The decision to undergo this experimental treatment was not without risks. There was a real possibility that the treatment could accelerate his decline.
‘No one knew what it was going to do, people were nervous because it could actually cause my life to end more quickly. But when you’re faced with certain death, it’s a no-brainer for me,’ Dr Scolyer said.
His courage to take this step was driven by the hope that it would not only benefit him but also pave the way for new treatments for other cancer patients.
The treatment's early results were promising, showing a tenfold increase in immune cells.
Dr Scolyer documented his journey on social media, sharing his experiences from the pre-surgical suite at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he had worked for 25 years, to the anxious moments before surgery and the hopeful updates that followed.
Source: @profrscolyer/Instagram
Ten months after his initial diagnosis, Dr Scolyer shared the fantastic news that his latest MRI brain scan showed no sign of tumour recurrence.
‘Amazingly, my latest MRI brain scan shows no recurrence 10 months since my glioblastoma presented with a seizure in Poland,’ he said.
This outcome was far beyond what he had expected, saying: ‘This is not what I expected. The average time to recurrence for the nasty type of brain cancer I’ve got is six months. So, to be out this far is amazing.’
Dr. Scolyer's story is a beacon of hope for those facing similar battles. It underscores the importance of medical research and the potential for innovative treatments to change the course of diseases once thought unbeatable.
He shared: ‘I’m extremely hopeful that the novel neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy I’ve had and the scientific changes we demonstrated in my tumour post versus pre-immunotherapy are being translated into clinical benefit!’
His journey also highlights the power of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
As our members of the Seniors Discount Club, many of whom have faced their own health challenges or supported loved ones through theirs, Dr Scolyer's story might resonate deeply.
It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there can be light—a breakthrough, a new treatment, a chance for a longer life.
You can watch an interview with Dr Scolyer here:
Source: ABC News In-depth/YouTube
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