FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Maria Seyrig (Print)
David Olejarz (Radio/TV) (313) 876-2882
Oct. 20, 2008
Minds of Medicine: When Cancer Strikes Bone
DETROIT - More than 2,000 people are diagnosed annually with a primary bone tumor, often occurring with few warning symptoms.
Once bone cancer has been discovered, patients can be left with a heart-wrenching decision, lose your limb or lose your life.
To help bring patients better options for bone cancer, Henry Ford Hospital has two of the foremost experts in the field: Ortho-oncologists Ted Parsons III, M.D. and Michael Mott, M.D. Their combined years of expertise is more than any other group in Michigan.
To bring further awareness of bone cancer, Henry Ford produced the program, Minds of Medicine, follows physicians as they consult with patients, use the latest treatment techniques and perform life-saving surgical procedures to help patients battle bone cancer. Minds of Medicine: When Cancer Strikes Bone airs 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, on WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 and is repeated 12:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27.
It is the latest in a series of medical shows locally produced in cooperation with WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 and Henry Ford Health System. Hosted by Paul W. Smith, morning radio personality for WJR AM 760, the program provides an inside look at the doctors and nurses at one of the nation's top-rated hospitals.
Bone cancer can strike patients of any age, even children, and without treatment, the effects can be deadly. But at Henry Ford, patients are finding what they need most, experience and hope.
• A nationally known orthopaedic oncologist and medical educator, Dr. Parsons is chair of the Henry Ford's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He leads the department as one of only 168 Musculoskeletal Tumor Society members worldwide. Dr. Parsons performs life-saving surgery to remove a 12-inch tumor on a teenager's fibula, working to preserve the nerves and tissue of the patient's leg.
• As division head of Musculoskeletal Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Mott specializes in the treatment of benign and malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors in children and adults. As an academic physician, Dr. Mott performs research, publishes and presents regularly on orthopaedic oncology. Dr. Mott replaces a patient's tibia, damaged by cancer, with a cadaver bone during a unique procedure.
• Trevor Banka, M.D., whose own story of recovery from bone cancer at age 12 inspired him to follow in his physician's footsteps and become an orthopaedic surgeon. Dr. Banka is completing his residency at Henry Ford Hospital, side-by-side with the man who saved his life years ago, Dr. Mott.
