Physician Spotlight from Western States Cancer Research

Dr. Ryan Weight, DO, Oncologist

Interview by WSCR-NCORP Staff Member, Laura Gabbay

What role as an oncologist do you play in any given cancer, specifically melanoma and other skin cancers, research clinical trial?

As a medical oncologist providing care to patients with advanced cancer such as melanoma and other skin cancers, my role is best described as a director or navigator, one who provides guidance to patients based on knowledge and accumulated experience. For instance, medical oncologists are often the providers that identify clinical trial opportunities and present these options to patients who need treatment beyond the standard of care. If the patient elects to enroll on a clinical trial it is then our responsibility to oversee the patient’s care while on trial. For example, we will evaluate patients while on study including monitoring and reporting side effects in addition to determining if the clinical trial is working for the patient in the way that we hope it will. As oncologists, we decide with the patient when it is time to discontinue the clinical trial if the treatment is not working or there is an untoward side effect. We ensure that the best possible care is provided to the patient while maintaining the integrity of the clinical trial.

The full article is available at https://westernstatesncorp.org/physician-spotlight-dr-ryan-weight-do-oncologist/.