Advocating for Patient-Centered Glioma Care
- Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, American Medical Association (AMA) President and brain cancer survivor, underwent a 12-hour awake craniotomy—giving him rare insight into both the surgical and emotional sides of glioma care.
- He advocates for more patient-centered healthcare and shared decision-making, drawing from his personal experience to guide physicians in supporting glioma patients.
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon, currently serves as President of the American Medical Association (AMA). But his leadership is shaped by more than clinical expertise—it’s personal.
Read More Dr. Mukkamala is also a brain cancer survivor who underwent a grueling 12-hour awake craniotomy, a specialized procedure performed while the patient remains conscious. This technique is used when tumors are located near critical areas of the brain that control speech, movement, or vision, allowing surgeons to monitor function in real time. His experience as both a physician and patient has profoundly influenced his vision for healthcare. Upon his election to lead the AMA, Dr. Mukkamala emphasized the urgent need for a system that is more physician- and patient-centered, especially when navigating complex diagnoses like glioma. In a conversation with SurvivorNet, he shared the top three insights he believes every physician should understand about shared decision-making with glioma patients. Drawing from his own journey, he advocates for deeper empathy, clearer communication, and collaborative care—recognizing that patients facing brain cancer need not only medical expertise, but also compassion, agency, and hope.
Expert Glioma Resources for Patients
- After Treatment, The Importance of Monitoring For Glioma Recurrence
- Access Issues in Treating Gliomas: Solutions for Patients Around the Mountain Region
- Biopsy or Surgery First? How Surgeons Decide With Glioma Patients
- Brain Imaging Options for Glioma: What To Expect With MRI & CT Scan
- Choosing the Right Chemotherapy: Balancing Effectiveness and Quality of Life in Glioma Treatment
- Chemotherapy For Glioma: What Are The Side Effects And How Can I Manage Them?
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(Wrap up/moving forward)
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