Behind the Breakthroughs
The Your Stories Podcast

Hear directly from people conquering cancer – patients, doctors, family members, and friends. 

Nizar Tannir and Pavlos Masaouel
Your Stories
Researching a Rare Cancer
To improve treatments for Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC), Nizar Tannir, MD, FACP, left his private practice for the full-time research of this rare and aggressive kidney cancer, which most often affects African-Americans. He recruited the brightest young scientists, like Conquer Cancer researcher Pavlos Msaouel, MD, PhD, to help him accelerate discoveries.

No More Options

It is devastating for a doctor to tell a patient he cannot help him. Dr. Tannir recalls how the words of a young father still ring in his ears. 


“I was trying to tell him that unfortunately, despite all our efforts, I didn't have any more treatments to offer him.  And he said, ‘What do you mean you have no more therapies to offer me?’ “


Feeling defeated, Dr. Tannir committed his life’s work to finding a cure for RMC.  


“I realized that if anybody is going to do something it's us,” recalls Dr. Tannir.  “We will have to do it.”


But conquering a rare cancer doesn’t happen overnight.

It Takes a Village

Dr. Tannir found a partner in Dr. Msaouel, who was just beginning his career as a researcher.  

Together they are raising awareness about this uncommon cancer and encouraging others to support their research. 


“We gain fundamental insights by studying rare cancers,” says Dr. Msaouel, who believes their studies will serve as a model for discovery to benefit other rare tumors. 

Your Stories
No Stone Unturned

In this episode, friends and colleagues share the stories of patients who inspire their work and discuss why their dedication to a cure for RMC is relentless

If there is one thing I can promise with 100% certainty is that we will leave no stone unturned. We will not stop working to find treatments and ultimately cures for this cancer.
Dr. Pavlos Msaouel, Conquer Cancer researcher