About Oncosphere

Oncosphere is an independent educational blog by Dr. Senthil Kumar, a medical oncologist. Follow on X: @esenthil84.

What you’ll find: concise, referenced summaries of practice-changing trials, guideline updates (NCCN, ESMO, ASCO, ICMR) and plain-language explainers for patients and families. A new post is planned most Mondays.

Editorial principles

Every factual claim is linked to a primary source (journal, regulator or guideline body).
Opinions are labelled as opinion.
Numbers are not invented; if something cannot be verified it is stated.
No patient-identifiable information or patient images are published.
Views are personal and do not represent any employer or institution.

Advertising: the site may display Google AdSense ads to cover running costs. Advertisers have no influence on content. See the Privacy Policy.

How posts are written

Primary sources first: the full paper (NEJM, Lancet, JCO, Annals of Oncology), regulator notices (US FDA, CDSCO) and guidelines (NCCN, ESMO, ASCO, ICMR).
Each post starts with a bottom-line box, then telegraphic evidence with citations next to the numbers, then guideline context and practical caveats.
Every post ends with “What it means for India” — what is deliverable in Indian public and private hospitals, and where access or cost is a barrier.
Indian approvals and prices change often; where they cannot be verified from an official source, posts say “check current availability” instead of quoting a number.

Corrections and updates Posts are reviewed when major new data appear (for example final overall-survival results) and carry an “updated” date. If you spot an error, please write in via the Contact page; corrections are made promptly and noted.

Who this site is for

Oncologists, residents and fellows who want a quick, referenced summary of a trial.
General physicians and nurses caring for people with cancer.
Patients and families who want to understand the evidence behind a treatment — always together with their own doctor.

What this site is not It is not a substitute for a consultation, a second opinion or a tumour board. No individual medical advice is provided through this website. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital.

Conflicts of interest: none declared relating to this site.