Isadora Arzu, M.D., Ph.D. was just 12 years old when her life was touched by cancer. “My aunt passed away from breast cancer when she was only 32. It was a blow to the family and especially the children because she was always playing with us and teaching us how to do crafts.”
During Dr. Arzu’s medical residency, she recalled her aunt’s experience with radiation therapy and decided to pursue training at M. D. Anderson, which has the largest radiation program in the country. Today, Dr. Arzu serves as assistant professor of radiation oncology at the new M. D. Anderson Clinical Care Center in Sugar Land, which provides radiation treatment, medical oncology and chemotherapy services, lab and pharmacy. Dr. Arzu works collaboratively with a team of experts, including those at the M. D. Anderson main campus, to deliver customized cancer care.
“It is so important for patients to be treated in a multidisciplinary fashion because it really makes a difference in the outcome,” she said. “We review every case as a team to make sure our treatment plan is absolutely appropriate. Beyond medical care, we treat the patient as a whole person with a team of social workers, nutritionists and physical therapists.”
Dr. Arzu also communicates regularly with physicians in the Sugar Land community, updating them on the progress of their patients and collaborating with them to ensure each patient receives a customized treatment plan. Enhancing this collaborative approach to care is Dr. Arzu’s personal experience with cancer. Her aunt is never far from her mind when she is treating patients.
“I’m always remembering that this is someone’s mom or sister or relative. I ask myself, if this patient were my family member, what would I want for them?”
Dr. Arzu, a long time resident of the Fort Bend area, enjoys traveling, reading and crocheting. She speaks French and is the proud parent of a college student.
For an appointment with any of the physicians at M. D. Anderson Sugar Land, call 281.566.1800 or visit the website at www.mdanderson.org/sugarland.
