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Ezra Cohen, MD
EzraCohenMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified) )| Communities: Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer , Larynx Cancer , Thyroid Cancer , Esophagus Cancer , Lung Cancer | Answers: 6 |
| Member Since: Jun. 2012 |
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Professional Statement
Dr. Ezra Cohen is Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Director for Education at University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Ezra Cohen, MD, specializes in head and neck, thyroid, and salivary gland cancers. He is an expert in novel cancer therapies and has done extensive research in molecularly targeted agents in the treatment of these cancers.
His research interests include discovering how cancers become resistant to existing treatments and overcoming these mechanisms, and discovering ways to combine radiotherapy with novel agents.
Dr. Cohen has developed an expertise in head and neck cancer resulting in lecture invitations at scientific meetings around the world, numerous publications, and prestigious awards. He also serves as editor-in-chief of Oral Oncology.
Ezra Cohen, MD, specializes in head and neck, thyroid, and salivary gland cancers. He is an expert in novel cancer therapies and has done extensive research in molecularly targeted agents in the treatment of these cancers.
His research interests include discovering how cancers become resistant to existing treatments and overcoming these mechanisms, and discovering ways to combine radiotherapy with novel agents.
Dr. Cohen has developed an expertise in head and neck cancer resulting in lecture invitations at scientific meetings around the world, numerous publications, and prestigious awards. He also serves as editor-in-chief of Oral Oncology.
Professional Info
Credential: MD
Primary specialty: Oncology - Hematology/Oncology
Medical school: University of Toronto
Residency: University of Toronto, Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Fellowship: The University of Chicago Medicine
Hospital affiliation: University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
Practice address:
5841 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL
60637
Practice phone number: (773) 702-4137
EzraCohenMD Activities
HPV is the causal agent in some head and neck cancer - ones that occur in the tonsils or base of tongue (the part of the tongue you cannot see when you open your mouth). It is associated with specific sexual practices, e.g. oral sex, and is increasing in incidence. We think that oral-genital or oral-anal contact with the virus is required to contract the infection. The majority (99% or more) of people who are infected do not get cancer. In some people the infection is not cleared and years or decades later a cancer develops. About one-third of all head and neck cancers are caused by HPV but we think that number will climb to nearly one-half in the next 10 years.
New answer by EzraCohenMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
10 months ago
Right now the only approved targeted therapy is cetuximab, an EGFR antibody. However, there are lots of other agents and targets being studied including other EGFR inhibitors (e.g. afatinib), antiangiogenic drugs (e.g. bevacizumab), and PI3 kinase pathway inhibitors (e.g. everolimus).
New answer by EzraCohenMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
10 months ago
EGFR stands for epidermal growth factor receptor. It is a gene that is expressed at high levels in head and neck cancer. It has been the target of many drugs including cetuximab and afatinib. Cetuximab is approved for use in combination with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or alone depending on what type of disease being treated.
New answer by EzraCohenMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
10 months ago
The primary treatment is chemotherapy and choice of agents depends on several factors. The most effective therapy from an evidence based approach is a combination of platin, 5FU, and cetuximab. However, this can sometimes be difficult to tolerate and the continuous infusion 5FU can be a logistic challenge. Since cetuximab is approved for 2nd line treatment, we often use carboplatin/paclitaxel in 1st line and then cetuximab when the cancer progresses.
New answer by EzraCohenMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
10 months ago
Chemoradiotherapy usually refers to the simultaneous administration of chemotherapy and radiation therapy although it could refer to any treatment plan that has these elements regardless of their timing. It is usually used to treat locally advanced HNC – stages III, IVa, and IVb. It is now the treatment of choice over surgery because it has the ability to preserve function, that is we can cure the patient without having to remove the tongue, throat, or voice box.
New answer by EzraCohenMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
10 months ago
Treatment of metastatic HNC will usually involve chemotherapy so the specific agent will determine what side effects to anticipate. Essentially, we begin by separating what symptoms are from the disease and which are from the treatment. Many patients with recurrent disease will have symptoms (pain, cough, stridor, bleeding, nerve dysfunction) and in those cases we might choose a more aggressive chemotherapy regimen in an effort to achieve tumor shrinkage. We evaluate disease usually with a CT scan every 8-12 weeks but sometimes a PET, bone scan, or MRI are complementary or better.
New answer by EzraCohenMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
10 months ago
EzraCohenMD's Profile
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