My Approach
I take a holistic approach to cancer care and focus specifically on prostate and localized kidney cancer. I usually tell patients, I have not always been a doctor. Coming from a small town, I feel that hard work, dedication, and respect are primary indicators of a successful relationship. My job is to be a teammate and assist my patients in the sometimes long and difficult journey of cancer monitoring or treatment. One of the first feelings a patients may have when they are told they have cancer is a loss of control. My approach is to hand the keys back to the patient. I usually describe their journey to a bus - you're driving the bus and our team has the expertise to show you the maps. We can add people onto the bus (consultant) and let others off when they are no longer needed, but we always want you to primary control in the discussion. We also incorporate genetics, diet, and newer techniques such as the microbiome.
Research
Research is the only means to move cancer care forward. I feel that precision medicine is the future and we are just touching the surface of what the field of medicine can do. Being part of the Mays Cancer Center and our affiliation with M.D. Anderson Cancer center allows us access to cutting edge clinical trials. You can participate in research simply by submitting a blood test or allowing the use of your surgical tissue for research. You can participate in early clinical studies to include new drugs, vaccines, and even natural products that Dr. Liss and his team are pioneering. We also would like to present the opportunity to participate in National Cancer Institute approved trials in the National Clinical Trials Network from SWOG, ECOG or Alliance.
Individualized Care
I always try to individualize your care and usually presents the situation:
Every cancer is different - (aggressiveness and spread)
Every patient is different - (risks and benefits, experience, family)
We can provide a personalized assessment of your risks of cancer using calculators developed here in San Antonio. We can discuss if additional testing is needed such as new genomic testing or risk stratification testing. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, we can provide a second opinion and whether additional testing or imaging is needed. We can provide personalized discussions tailored to your history and concerns.
