Cancer

Some couples share a favorite movie. Others share a meaningful song. Monica Mita, M.D., and Alain Mita, M.D., share a guiding philosophy about what it means to take care of patients. The oncology power couple recently joined Hoag from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Monica Mita is the co-director of early phase development … Read More

What makes Orange County one of the most desirable places to live on Earth is also what makes the Hoag Melanoma & Skin Cancer Program so vital to our community: the sun. More than 1,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Orange County every year. That is a higher rate per capita than both … Read More

What to look for in moles and beauty marks:  Asymmetry – Growths in which one half doesn’t match the other half.  Borders – Irregular borders with edges that are ragged, notched or blurred.  Color – Pigmentation that’s not uniform; with shades of tan, brown and black present. Dashes of red, white and blue may add … Read More

People as young as 20 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a disease once associated exclusively with older adults. While researchers try to unravel the cause of this troubling trend, oncologists at Hoag are educating young people about their risks, and about how to identify and avoid the disease. Hoag is also spreading a message … Read More

As summer approaches, thoughts often turn to sun, sand and surf. While it’s essential to remember to protect your skin from harmful UV rays with sunscreen and other precautions, it’s equally crucial to monitor your skin health and seek professional advice when needed. “Detecting melanoma early greatly improves the outcome and prognosis for one of … Read More

Pictured: Paul and Tricia Dietzler take a selfie together the morning before her second surgery at Hoag. What was an Idaho woman with a brain tumor doing driving almost 1,000 miles across two state lines to get to Orange County, California? Tricia Dietzler was in too much pain to contemplate that question as her husband, … Read More

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (April 25, 2024) – Hoag is proud to announce the recruitment of cancer researchers and subspecialized oncologists Monica Mita, M.D.,M.Sc., Mh.D.S., and Alain Mita, M.D., M.Sc., to the Hoag Family Cancer Institute. Dr. Monica Mita joins Hoag as co-director of early phase development therapy and co-director of breast medical oncology. Dr. Alain … Read More

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 2, 2024 – Hoag is the first site in the world to enroll patients in two clinical trials for prostate cancer staging and treatment. One trial focuses on molecular imaging and the other on molecular therapy; both are poised to redefine the standard of care for patients with prostate cancer worldwide. … Read More

The shock of a cancer diagnosis highlights the unpredictable nature of health and how we’re all susceptible to life’s trials and turbulences. Even at a younger age. Kate Middleton’s recent cancer diagnosis is another reminder of how precious life is. She described the past two months as “incredibly tough for our entire family.” Cancer diagnoses … Read More

In the long and often dispiriting quest to cure cancer, the 1998 approval of the drug Herceptin was a tremendously hopeful moment. This drug for breast cancer was the first to use a tumor-specific protein as a homing beacon to find and kill cancer cells. And it worked. Herceptin has benefited nearly three million people … Read More