2nd Opinion Scheduling - October 31 2012

I had a call from the secretary at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Arizona - Hematology/Oncology today. She wants to schedule my 2nd Opinion appointment with Dr. Rafael Foncesa who works with abnormal cytogenetics and relapsed multiple myeloma. I'll need to talk to Jani to help set the dates and travel plans since she will go with me.

• Clinical significance of chromosomal abnormalities in myeloma. Dr. Fonseca is studying the clinical, biologic and prognostic implications of specific chromosomal and genetic abnormalities for patients with myeloma. Ultimately, Dr. Fonseca and his colleagues believe that the accurate knowledge of the abnormalities underlying myeloma will allow for better management and treatment of patients. For instance, they have described the negative impact on prognosis of some genetic aberrations and better outcome with others.
  Further, Dr. Fonseca's lab has shown different pathology and clinical features of myeloma based on this genetic characterization. His lab was the first to show the clinical implications of the high-risk genetic translocations, including the t(4;14) and t(14;16). This information is now included in what the myeloma community calls high-risk myeloma. Many medical centers do not proceed to autologous stem cell transplants for patients with high-risk myeloma. Dr. Fonseca's studies have been converted into a clinical test available from Mayo Medical Laboratories. His lab was the first, in conjunction with Leif Bergsagel, M.D., to show the genetic basis of NF-kB upregulation in myeloma.

I faxed my allergy list and current medication list to the pharmacy in the Hematology/Oncology Department, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale this afternoon.