Search Site | Index

About Lymphoma | Advocacy | Art | CAM | Clinical trials 
Doctors - Experts - Centers | Guidelines at Diagnosis | News
Risk Factors | Side Effects | Statistics | Support | Symptoms |
Tests | Treatments | Types of Lymphoma | How to Help


Find Clinical Trial

 by Agent

by Type of Lymphoma & Treatment Status  

Trials of Interest

New trials since October 2018

 
Phase I since 2017  | Phase III since 2008
 

Guidelines at Diagnosis | About Clinical Trials

evidence-based support and information

 

Our physicians have many patients, some with urgent needs, and that the day is short.  So, it can help to be respectful of your doctor's time. Ask if it's a good time to ask questions ... 

Think like a corporation: Produce a concise executive summary that describes your history and main objectives. Have ready the chronology of tests, treatments, lab results, and outcomes that show the trends.

Doctors

Last update: 01/17/2019  

TOPICS
Patient-Recommended Lymphoma Oncologists
United States:  Northeast | Midwest | South/SoutheastWest/Southwest
Countries: Canada | United Kingdom | Spain | Germany

Cancer Centers |
Second Opinions | Find Doctor | Finding Specialists - TIPS |
Find Specialty Oncologists | CLL |
Find Surgeon?
Complaints? | Communicate with Doctors | Optimizing Doctor Visits |
Pathology - Getting a Second EvaluationResearch News

Find Doctor /
Second Opinion

Does the oncologist you are considering or consulting:

- have experience in the treatment of your specific cancer?

- conduct clinical trials (is a clinical trial investigator)?

- actively participate in  professional organizations dedicated to continuing education and professional development in the field?

- shows compassion and the ability to communicate and partner with you?

OTHER TIPS:

Adapted from NYT article on how to find good medical care
nytimes.com


* Find out which doctors your closest friends really like, ...ask trusted friends, neighbors and colleagues whom they see and feel comfortable with."

... "I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for every patient to have a trustworthy primary care physician who can help them navigate our challenging, but potentially excellent, health care system," said Dr. David T. Tayloe

* Stressed the importance of patients doing research and becoming active part of the medical team.

... "becoming more active and knowledgeable can only improve your care." ... "This is a shared responsibility between the physician and the patient
for the patient's health," said Dr. Ted Epperly

* Exercise caution when going through information from commercial or industry Web sites.

... "The Web can be a good place but also a dangerous place," Dr. Epperly said. "It's important to find sites that aren't biased and that provide evidence-based information."

* Ask prospective doctor questions like how much experience he or she has with a specific condition or operation

* Make sure you feel part of a shared decision-making process and comfortable saying how you feel, or that you don't understand or that you respectfully disagree.

* Identifying high quality medical groups or hospitals that "carefully monitor the quality of the clinicians affiliated with them" and that provide "decision support, continuous quality improvement and continuing education to keep their clinicians functioning well."

* Contact the national professional society for that doctor's specialty. (for lymphoma: ASCO / ASH)

... a plus: membership in the national professional society of a specialty - often referred to as being a "fellow" in the organization, as in Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, or F.A.C.S. - requires board certification and a certain degree of clinical experience.

...look for: M.D., F.A.C.P."

* Ask about participation in clinical trials.

* Caveats... bedside manner is only one of many concerns. "While excellent quality health care integrates caring with doing the right thing medically," she said, "a caring attitude can mask poor quality medicine."

* Most critical - part of deciding on any physician is the quality of the  first appointment.

... arm yourself with the right questions [in writing - and a summary of your medical issues and treatments]

* Seeking a surgical oncologist?

... ask surgeon about the number of times annually she or he performs the specific operation needed,

... ask also about the hospitals in which those operations are performed. (research has shown that hospital mortality rates are lower when those operations are performed frequently.)

Return to top

Getting an accurate diagnosis and finding an expert you can communicate with are critical to receiving optimal care.  

Regarding Second Opinions:

Second opinions will raise the level of the care you receive from your primary oncologist, because it set's up a kind of peer review.

... In addition it provides a valuable perspective on how to manage or treat the lymphoma.

Consulting an expert provides an excellent opportunity to inquire about the many promising clinical trials that may be appropriate for your clinical circumstance

The expert you consult can also work with your treating oncologist to come up with a good plan.

bullet
Doctor visits: Optimize |  Bring list
bullet
Dr. Rosenbaum: 
why second opinions so important?
EverydayHealth
bullet
Wikipedia: The Role of a Tumor Board
in Cancer Treatment
bullet NEW and important:
Trial Talk - experts to consult for second opinions and to inquire about clinical trials!
 
bullet Getting a Second Opinion in the US
Caregiver perspective:  Alison on WebMagic

Finding and Choosing a Qualified Oncologist

bullet
PAL recommended Experts ... the Trial Talk project
bullet
Patient-recommended Lymphoma Oncologists
bullet

American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2013:
Find a Hematologist http://bit.ly/1dPuSwC

bullet

Dr. Sharman's recommended NHL and CLL experts:  cll-nhl.com

Leads on Finding Lymphoma and CLL specialists:
 

bullet
NCI Lymphoma Steering Committee roster: NCI
bullet
NCI Leukemia / CLL Steering Committee roster: NCI
bullet
CLL experts cll.ucsd.edu 
bullet
CLL.acor.org list PDF
bullet
Experts on Lymphoma - videos
bullet
Find Cancer Centers by specialty and excellence
UK Resources
bullet

Royal College of Pathologists http://www.rcpath.org/
 

bullet

What pathologists do with the tissue
http://www.rcpath.org/Resources/RCPa...sion2aug10.pdf
 

bullet

Guidelines for tests to figure out which type of lymphoma (technical)
http://www.bcshguidelines.com/docume...csh_042010.pdf
 

bullet

British Committee for Standards in Haemotology  Contact
 

bullet

British Lymphoma Pathology Group http://www.blpg.org.uk/

Return to top

Communicating with your doctor

bullet
Tips - Science-Based Medicine: How to Chose a Doctor
bullet

See Optimizing Consults PAL | Brochure

bullet

See Treatment-Specific Questions by PAL

On Optimizing Office Visits:

bullet

Prepare in writing: your main questions first ... 
and a  list of the medications, events, and allergies you may have.  

bullet

Provide a summary of your goals. Provide information on the clinical trials you think worth discussing. 

bullet

And sometimes just in the making of your report and questions, new ideas will arise.

bullet

Be concise -- avoid handing your doctor a 20 page report - adding one stack to another. 

To assist you in your mission, we provide patient support tools here

Return to top

 

Find a Specialty Oncologist Near You

bullet
Radiation Specialists lymphomahelp.org
bullet
Radiologists: RTanswers.org   
bullet
Board Certified Neurologist application.abpn.com
bullet
Specializing in Neuropathy Neuropathymd.org 
bullet
NCI Leukemia / CLL Steering Committee roster: NCI
bullet

UCompareHealthCare
Find a Doctor - Compare Reviews http://bit.ly/1GxeLjF 
Tip:  select hematology / oncology in Find box
Type your Zip OR the town, state abbreviation
 

bullet NEW and important:
Trial Talk - experts to consult for second opinions and to inquire about clinical trials!
 

Return to top

Questions To Ask Your Radiation Oncologist

bullet
RTAnswers.org

Return to top

Tips for Finding Specialists

bullet
Tips - Science-Based Medicine: How to Chose a Doctor
bullet
How To Find a Doctor or Treatment Facility If You Have Cancer cancer.gov
bullet
Choosing a Doctor ahrq.gov/
bullet
Finding a New Doctor cancer.net
bullet
“America’s Top Doctors” (Fifth Edition)
The Best in American Medicine: America’s 
Top Doctors and Hospitals  childrenshospitalla.org
bullet
American Board of Medical Specialties abms.org
bullet
Licensing, background, and disciplinary information on physicians docboard.org 

Return to top

Centers and Oncologists
that Specialize in CLL  PAL

Return to top

Resources FOR Physicians PAL

bullet

Optimize Consults

bullet

Drug / Supplements Interaction  

bullet

Clinical Trials for Lymphoma | Resources  

Return to top

Complaints About Doctors?

We believe that the overwhelming majority of physicians and their staff are dedicated to meeting the needs of their patients.   However, there are sometimes unfortunate exceptions.  

What should you do in such cases?  When "the duty was not acted upon ... the provider failed to provide the standard of care."

bullet

We recommend that you first write your doctor directly regarding your concerns - describing what happened concisely but in detail.

Next, if necessary, copy the State Medial Board ... if the problems you cite are not addressed or recognized. 

bullet

To locate the Medical Board in your State:

Go to: http://www.fsmb.org/directory_smb.html
Then select the letter for your state.
 

bullet

In the meantime, use the resources on this page to help locate and choose another physician, or ask neighbors, friends, support groups, ... for referrals.

Return to top

Finding a Competent Surgeon / Hospital

Signals of Excellence 

Adapted from Medical Matters Consumer Reports (subscription required)

bullet
Volume counts: How often surgeons and hospitals perform the procedure - which can be especially important for unusually complicated procedures.
bullet
Complication rates:  Volume is not a perfect indicator of excellence, so too are issues that arise after surgery, which can be due to the medications prescribed, and the quality of follow up care.

Questions for the surgeon:

bullet
Is your Board Certification up to date?
bullet
How many operations of this type have you done in the last year?
bullet
What is your success, failure and complication rate?

A competent surgeon will be happy to provide this information.
bullet
Does the hospital follow "best practices"?

See ratings - consumer Reports
See Hospital Compare A quality tool provided by Medicare http://bit.ly/cE6Bwo
bullet

Click "Find and Compare Hospitals"

bullet

Select "Find a hospital within a certain distance of a ZIP Code"

bullet

Enter Zip code and distance.

bullet

Check at least two hospitals in region.

bullet

Click Compare button. 

Return to top

 
Patient-Recommended Lymphoma Specialists

United States:  Northeast | Midwest | South/SoutheastWest/Southwest

Countries: Canada | United Kingdom | Spain | Germany
 

bullet NEW and important:
Trial Talk - 100 experts to consult for second opinions and to inquire about clinical trials!

Return to top

How to recommend your doctor?

First review our criteria, what you should provide, and the limitations of recommendations of this kind:
1) your oncologist is respected by his or her peers, and has demonstrated a willingness to be a partner in your care: 
2) that he or she communicates about the full range of treatment options (standard and investigational) - providing the rationale for each choice.  
 We reserve the right to exclude referrals when the physician promotes  unconventional therapies or diagnostic tests  that have not been validated by clinical research.   

NOTE: Because we cannot verify all the recommendation received, please consider this list to be only a starting point in your search.

Please send your referral in 
this format:

STATE, CITY, 
CENTER, ADDRESS

NAME, Phone, Web/Email

You can send an email referral by clicking  

PI means that this physician also conducts lymphoma-specific clinical research.

The information presented on Lymphomation.org is not intended to be a substitute for  professional medical advice or to replace your relationship with a physician. For all medical concerns,  you should always consult your doctor. Patients Against Lymphoma, Copyright © 2004,  
All Rights Reserved.

Return to top


 

LIMITATIONS:

The list is based on  submission by patients, and therefore excellent oncologists may not be included simply because patients haven't yet taken the time to tell us.

Submissions are not science-based - for example, are subject to patient bias, such as chance interpersonal chemistry. 

See sidebar for our recommended criteria.

KEYS:

PI  = primary investigator - does clinical research.
 
ES = Expert Status  (See also Experts)


NORTHEAST UNITED STATES

bullet
CT, New Haven
 
Yale Cancer Center, New Haven
 
Francine M. Foss, MD (PI / ES)
Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas | Web Profile
bullet
CT,  The Whittingham Cancer Center
24 Stevens Street, Norwalk, CT 06856

Dr. Richard Frank, (203) 845-4899,
bullet
MA,  Boston
 
Dana Farber Cancer  Institute,  800- 320-0022

Dr. Arnold S. Freedman (PI / ES) (617) 632-3441 Web Profile 
Dr. Lee Nadler (PI / ES) (617) 632-3331
George Canellos (PI/ ES) , M.D. (617) 632-3470
Dr. Ann LaCasce (PI/ ES)
bullet
MA, Boston

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 617-667-5864 
330 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

Robin M. Joyce, MD (PI/ES), 617-667-9920
Director, Research Operations

Hematologic Malignancy and BMT Program

BIDMC is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. They are clinically affiliated with Dana-Farber, but unlike Mass General and Brigham & Women's, they are not managed by Partners Healthcare. So- they are research partners but competitors.  All of these hospitals, as a group, are approved as 1 entity as an NCI approved center, under the DFCI flag. They also do all the different types of SCT's, as independent BMT programs.... so there is some competition within Partners as well.
 

bullet
DC, Washington
 
Dr. Jeffery Vacirca
1101 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 756-2258
www.communityoncology.org


Georgetown University Medical Center -
Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007, 

Head of Hematology, and Director  of Hematology Research
Dr. Cheson is Professor of Medicine (PI / ES) (202) 444-2223
bullet
MD, Bethesda

Wyndham Wilson, M.D., Ph.D. (PI / ES)
Head, Lymphoma Therapeutics Section
Senior Investigator

National Cancer Institute
Building 10 CRC, Room 4
10 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-1203

Phone: 301-435-2415
Fax: 301-480-3444 
http://ccr.cancer.gov/staff/staff.asp?profileid=5829 
bullet
ME,  Scarborough,

Dr. Kurt S Ebrahim DO
Maine Center For Cancer Medcn
100 Campus Dr
Unit 108
Scarborough, ME 04074


http://www.vitals.com
bullet
NJ, Forked River
 
Hematology Oncology Associates of Ocean County

Dr. Sara Jane McGee  (609) 693-2000)
bullet
NJ, New Brunswick
 
Robert Wood Johnson Hospital,
The Cancer Center of NJ

Dr. James Salwitz
bullet
NJ,  Morristown
 
Carol G Simon Cancer Ctr
PO Box 1089 100 Madison Ave Morristown, NJ 07962-1089

Dr. Charles Farber
bullet
NJ,  Hackensack

Dr. Andre Goy
John Theurer Cancer Center at
Hackensack University Medical Center
Web

 
bullet
NY, Buffalo

Roswell Park Cancer Institute"

Myron S Czuczman 1-800-767-9355  (PI / ES)
bullet
NY, New York,

Columbia University Medical Center


Kara Kelly, MD
Academic Title(s):
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Director Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer
Director Leukemia/Lymphoma Program

Contact Information:
Tel: (212) 305-9770 Press 1, then 1
Fax: (212) 305-5848
Email:   WEB
bullet
NY, New York
 
Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma, Weill Cornell Medical College, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, 

Dr. Richard Furman (PI / ES) (212) 746-2932 
  Specialty:  CLL
bullet
NY, New York 
 
NY Presbyterian Hospital Weil Medical College, 

Dr. Rebecca Elstrom (PI / ES)  web
Dr. Peter Martin,
646-962-2068
Dr. Morton Coleman (PI / ES)  (212) 517-5900
Dr. John Leonard (PI / ES) 
646-962-2068 (fixed)
Specialty:  antibody-based research

Owen A. O'Connor, MD, PHD, (is rumored to be at Weil now)
bullet
NY, New York,  
 
Memorial Sloan-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Steven M. Horwitz, MD (PI /ES) (specialty: t-cell lymphomas)
Dr. Carol Portlock (PI /ES)
Dr. Zelenetz (PI /ES)
Dr. Anas Younes (PI /ES)  https://www.facebook.com/DrAnasYounes
bullet
NY, New York,  

NYU Langone Medical Center (NYU-LMC)

Owen A. O'Connor, MD, PHD, (PI / ES)
toll free number, 888-7-NYU-MED (888-769-8633) | Web
 
bullet
NY, NY, Queens

Mount Sinai Medical Center

Dr. Joshua Brody (PI / ES)

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology 

Web Profile mountsinai.org
bullet
NY, Rochester
 
Wilmot Cancer Center in 
Strong Memorial Hospital

Dr. Richard I. Fisher (PI /ES) , (585) 275-0842 (PI / ES) (Moved to PA - Fox Chase)
 
bullet
NY, Staten Island
 
St Vincent's

Dr. Thomas Forlenza (718) 816-4949 
bullet
PA, Philadelphia
 
University of Pennsylvania, 15 Penn Tower, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

 Dr. Stephen Schuster (PI / ES)  (215) 614-1846
bullet
PA, Philadelphia
 
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Abramson Cancer Center

Dr. Sunita Nasta (PI) 215-615-5858
bullet
PA, Philadelphia
 
Fox Chase Cancer Center

Dr. Richard I. Fisher (PI /ES) (PI / ES)  (NEW)

Dr. Mitchell Smith, MD (PI) (215) 728-2674 (PI / ES)  (Moved to Ohio - Cleveland Clinic)
bullet
PA, Pittsburgh
 
Retina Vitreous Consultants, 412-683-5300 

Dr. Louis Lobes, MD, 
Specialty:  orbital lymphomas
bullet
PA,  Pittsburgh
 
University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Neurology, Hillman Cancer Center 5115 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Phone: 412-692-4724

Frank Scott Lieberman, MD, 
Specialty: Neuro-Oncology (PI)

Return to Patient-Recommended Doctors


WEST / SOUTHWEST  UNITED STATES

bullet
CA, Duarte (near LA),  City of Hope - Lymphoma Team

Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE).
 
bullet
CA, Campbell
 
Southbay Oncology Hematology Partners, 
50 E. Hamilton Ave. Ste. 200,  Campbell, 95008


Martin Rubenstein M.D., F.A.C.P. (PI) (408) 376-2300
bullet
CA, La Jolla
 
University of California, San Diego
Hematology/Oncology, Cancer Center & Department of Medicine,


Peter R. Holman, M.D., (PI) (858) 657-6790
bullet
CA, San Francisco
 
Division of Hematology/Oncology, 400 Parnassus Avenue Suite A502 San Francisco, Ca. 94143-0324, Tel: (415) 353-2421, Fax: (415) 353-2467

Dr. Karin Gaensler
bullet
CA, Santa Barbara

Cancer Center of Santa Barbara (805) 563-5800  http://www.ccsb.org

Daniel Greenwald
, M.D.

 

bullet
CA,  Palo Alto
 
Stanford Cancer Center, Lymphoma Clinic
   875 Blake Wilbur Dr., Clinic 


Dr. Ronald Levy
(PI /E) (650) 723-7621 | Web Profile 
  Specialty:  immunotherapy-based research

Dr. Sandra Horning (PI /E) (650) 725-6456 | Web Profile 
bullet
CA, Santa Monica

Dr. Sven DeVos, M.D., PhD. (PE, PI)

Associate Professor of Medicine
UCLA Lymphoma Program / Division of Hematology/Oncology
2020 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Office: (310) 829-5471
Fax: (310) 582-6391

Web profile
bullet
CA, Whittier,  
Hematology/Oncology, 

Dr. Glenn Tisman (562) 789-8822
bullet
CO, Denver
 
Colorado blood cancer institute
1719 east 19th Ave suite 300
Denver co 80218

Phone 720-754-4800 |

Dr. Jeffrey Matous (PI /E)
bullet
OR, Portland,

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Richard T. Maziarz, M.D.
Medical Director, Adult Stem Cell Transplantation Program & Center for Hematologic Malignancies

Web profile: http://www.ohsu.edu/


To Schedule an appt: 503 494-5058
bullet
OR, Springfield

Dr. Jeff Sharman, M.D. (PI / ES)

RiverBend Campus
3377 Riverbend Dr.
Springfield, Oregon 97477


Profile on web:
http://oregoncancer.com/physicians/profile/jeff-sharman-m.d/

Blog: http://www.cll-nhl.com/
bullet
TX, Dallas, Oncology/Hematology, Sammons Cancer Institute,
  
Baylor School of Medicine  

Mark Walberg, M.D., Ph.D (214) 370-1000
bullet
TX, Houston, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Nathan Fowler  (PI/ES)
Web bio: http://faculty.mdanderson.org/Nathan_Fowler/
 
bullet
TX, San Antonio, TX, Hematology/Hematologic Malignancy, Cancer Care Centers of South Texas, (210) 595-5300. 

Roger Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.P. (PI)
bullet
UT, Methodist Richardson Cancer Center

Dr. Sam Bibawi.

He is at Methodist Richardson Cancer Center (located at George Bush & Renner). I have only had positive experiences with him (and everyone there).

He is a Medical Oncologist/Hematologist and used to work at M.D. Anderson. The Methodist Richardson Cancer Center is affiliated with UT Southwestern Medical Center
bullet
WA
 
Univ. of Washington

Dr. Maloney, (PI / ES)  (206) 288-7400
| WebProfile
    
Specialty:  antibody-based research
bullet
WA
 
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
825 Eastlake Ave E, G3-200
Seattle, WA 98109-1023


Dr. Oliver Press (PI / ES) 
   (206) 288-SCCA (7222) Fax: (206) 288-1025  Web profile
   Specialty:  Radioimmunotherapy-based research

Dr. Gopal
(PI / ES)

 
bullet
WI, MADISON, WI 53705

Dr. BRAD S KAHL (PI / E)
ASSOC PROFESSOR

4059 WIMR 1111 HIGHLAND AVE


Phone Number
(608) 263-1836
Website: wisc.edu

 
bullet
WI
 
Minocqua, Lakeland Center

Dr Weiss

Return to Patient-Recommended Doctors


SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES

bullet
FL, Ft. Lauderdale
North Broward Medical Center Cancer Center Pompano Beach,

Dr. Mayda Arias  (954) 786-6460
bullet
FL, Fort Walton Beach

Emerald Coast Oncology And Hematology Associates
1024 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-3148

Henry Hsiang, MD
Harvey Hsiang, MD
Ming Chang, MD
bullet
FL, Tampa
Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Sotomayor  Web
bullet
FL, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Florida Cancer Specialists
1201 5th Avenue North, Suite 505
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 821-0017

Joseph R. Mace, M.D. (RIT accredited)
 
bullet
MS, Jackson
Oncology Associates PLLC Dr. 1815 Hospital Drive, Jackson, MS 39204 

Dr Tammy Young (601) 373-4421 (800) 776-2378 
bullet
NC, Asheville
Asheville Hematology and Oncology Associates, P. A

Dr. James Puckett (828) 254-8232
bullet
NC, Durham
Danielle Brander
CLL specialist at Duke University
bullet
SC, Spartanburg

Gibbs Cancer Center at Spartanburg Regional Hospital

Dr. Shamilla Mehta  Web
bullet
SC, Charleston
Hollings Cancer Center
A National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center, 96

Jonathon Lucas St.  P.O.Box 250635, 903 CSB Charleston, SC 29425

Robert K. Stuart, MD 843-792-4271
Professor of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology
Director, Hematological Malignancies and BMT Programs

Return to Patient-Recommended Doctors


MIDWEST UNITED STATES

bullet
IA, Iowa City
 
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 

Dr. Brian Link (PI / ES) (319) 356-8508 
bullet
IL, Chicago, Northwestern University,
The Feinberg School of Medicine, 

Dr. Leo Gordon (PI / ES) (312) 695-4546
bullet
IL, Chicago
 
The Rush Cancer Institute

Dr. Gregory (PI / ES)
bullet
IL, Chicago
University of Chicago Medical Center

Dr. Sonali Smith
Associate Professor of Medicine
Center for Advanced Medicine
5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637


Website
bullet
IL, Chicago
Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University Medical Center, 

Dr. Steven Rosen (312) 908-5250
bullet
IL, Chicago
 
M.D. Rush Medical Center

Dr. Stephanie Ann Gregory
bullet
IN, South Bend
 
Michiana Hematologist/Oncologist Center, in South Bend,  

Dr. Rafat Ansari  (574) 234-5123
bullet
IN, Indianapolis
 
Hematology-Oncology, Clarian Health-Methodist Hospital, 1704 N. Capital Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 962-9000

Sumeet Bhatia, MD
bullet
IN, Indianapolis
 
Associated Vitreoretinal and Uveitis Consultants, 8704 N Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46260 

Ramana S. Moorthy, MD (317) 571-1501
bullet
MI, Ann Arbor
 
University Michigan Comprehensive Cancer 

Dr. Mark Kaminski (PI / ES) 
734-647-8901
Specialty:  Radioimmunotherapy-based research
bullet
MN, Minneapolis

Vicki Morrison, M.D.
 (PI / ES) 
Professor of Medicine

VA Medical Center
Hematology/Oncology (111E)
One Veterans Dr
Minneapolis, MN 55417

Phone: (612) 725-2000
bullet
MN, Minneapolis
 
University of Minnesota Hospitals, (612) 625-5411

Dr. Bruce Peterson (PI)
bullet
MN, Rochester
 
Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. Thomas Haberman (PI)
bullet
MN, Rochester
  
Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. Stephen Ansell (PI)
bullet
MN, Rochester
 
Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. David Inwards (PI)
bullet
MN, Rochester
 
Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. Thomas E. Witzig (PI) 
bullet
MO, Joplin
 
Hematology/Oncology. Freeman Cancer Institute
3415 Macintosh Circle Drive
P.O. Box 2644, Joplin Missouri 64803-2644 


Dr. Tracy L. Coe, MD | (417) 782-6630 / (888) 234-3737
bullet
MO, St Louis
 
Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center
4921 Parkview Place, Suite B, Floor 7, St. Louis, MO 63110 

Dr. Bartlett, Nancy Lee (PI) 
(314) 747-9281 Fax: (314) 362-1608
bullet
NE, Omaha
 
University of Nebraska Medical Center 

Dr. James Armitage (PI / ES)    (402)-559-7290, Web
 
Dr. Julie Vose (PI / ES)  (402) 559-3848
 
bullet
OH, Cleveland  NEW
 
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Mail Code R32
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195


Dr. Brian Bolwell  Web profile

Dr. Hien Doung

Mitchell R. Smith MD (NEW arrival)

 
bullet
OH, Columbus
 
Arthur James Cancer Hospital at OSU

Dr. Eric Kraut (614) 293-8606
bullet
OH, Columbus

Ohio State University

John C Byrd MD  (CLL expert)
 Web profile: http://cancer.osu.edu
bullet
OH, Canton

Dr. James Schmotzer
bullet

OK, Tulsa,

Dr. Peter Aran - Chief medical Officer of St. Francis Hospital

Dr. Joseph P Lynch,
Internal Medicine and Hematology & Oncology and Medical Oncology.

Oklahoma Oncology
6585 S Yale Ave Ste 701
Tulsa, OK

Return to Patient-Recommended Doctors


CANADA

bullet
Canada, Vancouver
 
BC Cancer Agency

BCCA, 600 West 10th Avenue, Rm 3225
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6

Dr. Joseph M. Connors (PI) (604) 877-6000 
Randy Gascoyne, B.Sc., M.D.  (PI / ES)
Specialty:  biospecimen-based research
bullet
Canada, Montreal, Quebec,
 
Jewish General Hospital
Pav E, 3755 Côte-Ste-Catherine Road,
Montreal, Quebec, CanadaH3T 1E2

Dr.Stephen N. Caplan, MD, FRCP 514-340-8222 ext. 8248
bullet
Canada
 
McGill University 

Dr. Pierre Laneuville (PI)
bullet
Canada

Maisonneuve

Dr. Jean Roy   
practices out of hospital) 

Return to Patient-Recommended Doctors

 


OTHER COUNTRIES


Germany

bullet

University Hospital of Cologne

Prof. Dr. Peter Borchmann
Studiensekretär GHSG

Universität zu Köln
Kerpener Straße 62
D-50924 Köln

Telefon: (0221) 478-5933


UK

bullet
The Royal Marsden
Chelsea, London

The Royal Marsden
Fulham Road
London SW3 6JJ
Tel 020 7352 8171

http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk
bullet
Nottingham UK, Consultant Haematologist,
Nottingham City Hospital, 0115 9691169 


Dr. Andy Haynes
bullet
Barts Cancer Institute

Professor John Gribben

Web profile: http://www.bci.qmul.ac.uk 
bullet
University College London Hospital

Prof David C. Linch
Tel: 020 3447 9443
Fax: 020 3447 9911
Email:
Contact info: uclh.org/


Spain

bullet
Spain, Pamplona
 
Lab of Immunotherapy Cell Therapy Area Clínica Universitaria, University of Navarra 
Avda. Pio XII, 36 31008 Pamplona, Spain


Maurizio Bendandi, M.D., Ph.D.  (PI / ES)
Phone (+34 606 002 087)
Fax: +34 948 296 500 | email: [email protected] 
Specialty: immunotherapy-based research
Return to Patient-Recommended Doctors

Pathology: Getting a Second Evaluation
of the Tumor Sample at Diagnosis

Return to top

Pathology - getting 
a second evaluation

Related Topics

Diagnosis & Pathology

  Getting a Second Pathology Evaluation

Prognostic indicators

Performance Standards

Diagnostic Tests

Disease Direction Indicators

Return to top

 

How Necessary is it?  | Centers

So how necessary is a second evaluation of the tissue sample?

An accurate diagnosis is a key to receiving the the best treatment. We have received a good number of  reports from patients on the support lists of incorrect or missed diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is more common than we would like to think. 

Please know that your pathologist can send the slides out to the center you indicate for a nominal fee.  Insurance reimbursement is also likely.  No matter. If you can find a way to have this done, we think you ought to.

Here's one report on this question from a fairly large study: Comparison of Referring and Final Pathology for Patients With NHL in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

From this report see table showing findings by subtype:
Referral and Final Pathologic Diagnoses for Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (n = 731)

A survivor writes: "I want people to be aware of the importance of a second opinion. For almost eight years I have been treated for Mantle cell lymphoma. I was sent to a radiologist for evaluation of treatment and he questioned my diagnosis as Mantle cell is very aggressive and if I have had it for 8 years and I look so healthy, he said he has treated many patients with mantle cell I did not fit the diagnosis. He had previous biopsies sent to an entirely different hospital and have been diagnosed with low grade indolent lymphoma."

DR LEONARD writes: ..."  it is easy to ascertain a pathologic second opinion — it’s simply a matter of sending the slides; the patient doesn’t have to go. Generally, pathologists will discuss it with you over the phone, even if you’re at another institution. It’s not a big deal to do, and the pathology is key. I believe a pathologic second opinion is more important than another lymphoma subspecialist’s opinion. We re-evaluate a situation based on our pathologist giving us information that the primary oncologist didn’t have; therefore, I encourage patients to ascertain a pathologic second opinion. It is a relatively easy thing to do, and it gives the patients some reassurance.

I think all patients diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma should also have a second pathology opinion. That’s a hard diagnosis to make and the implications, as far as the prognosis, are enormous. Additionally, if the disease is acting like one type of lymphoma, but the pathologist is telling you it’s another type of lymphoma, maybe that’s a red flag that you ought to have it evaluated by someone else.

Finally, gray areas exist when you see follicular and diffuse lymphomas, and you are trying to decide if transformation has occurred and whether you need to use an anthracycline — this is an area in which I would encourage a second opinion from the pathological standpoint." 

Source: meettheprofessors.com

Centers Experienced with Pathology Evaluations

NCI Designated Cancer Centers
bullet
DISCONTINUED: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology offers expert pathology consultation for both military personnel and civilian cases  afip.org
bullet
CA - UCLA, Dr. Said  healthcare.ucla.edu
 
1-800-UCLA-MD1 (1-800-825-2631).
or email
bullet
CA - Stanford University - Pathology Dept Stanford
bullet
MA - Dana Farber (866) 408-DFCI (3324)  dana-farber 
bullet
MD - NCI: Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D. Cancer.gov
bullet
NY - NY Weil Cornell Medical Center NYCornell.org
bullet
NY - Pre-Appointment Pathology Submissions Memorial Sloan Kettering 
bullet
TX - MD Anderson Cancer Center - Outside consultation services MDACC

Other Country:

bullet Canada, Vancouver
 
BC Cancer Agency

Randy Gascoyne, B.Sc., M.D.  | Website

Criteria

bullet

University Teaching Hospitals

bullet

National reputations

bullet

Evaluate lymphoma specimens often


In the News & Related articles

bullet
2017: Impact of Expert Pathologic Review of Lymphoma Diagnosis:
Study of Patients From the French Lymphopath Network
full text: http://bit.ly/2oViQO7 
bullet
Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Lymphoma The Next Step
Linda M. Sandhaus, MD http://bit.ly/1aNXroh
bullet
The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), which is the top-listed referral site for pathology second opinions on the Lymphomation list, regrettably is no more.

Although it was by far the world's largest repository of esoteric pathology specimens and slides, it was axed several years ago in one of the never-ending rounds of federal government downsizing.

So it needs to be removed from the web page.
bullet
Diagnosis - Annals of Oncology: Expert second-opinion pathology review of lymphoma in the era of the WHO classification

"Given the potential harm from misdiagnosis, expert hematopathology review should be considered the standard of care"
bullet
Common misdiagnoses in lymphomas and avoidance strategies  PAL parsing
bullet
Pathology the Gold Standard A Retrospective Analysis of Discordant Second-Opinion Lymphoma Pathology and Its Impact on Patient Care

The most common reasons for discordance were: 
   malignant non-malignant - 27 cases, 
   Non-Hodgkins Hodgkins - 14 cases, 
   lymphoma solid tumour - 18 cases and 
   more or less aggressive lymphoma - 47 cases. 

Conclusions: (1) a discordance (one pathology finding not matching a second) rate of 16% was similar to previous studies and this high rate maybe improved through centralization of lymphoma pathology;

2) these types of patients are clearly at risk for harm, as best exemplified by patients who were felt to have a benign pathology that was actually malignant;

3) Discordant pathology has clear clinical implications including serial biopsies, invasive testing and treatment delays.
bullet
Pitfalls in diagnostic hematopathology - Part II full text

The overlapping features of malignant lymphomas create a diagnostic "grey zone" , and lead to the invention of "grey zone lymphomas".
 
bullet
Comparison of Lymphoid Neoplasm Classification: 
A Blinded Study Between a Community and an Academic Setting Medscape (free login req.) 
Am J Clin Pathol 115(5), 2001 
 
Summary:
188 cases evaluated
167 cases were concordant (correctly diagnosed) - 88.8%
21 cases were discordant (incorrectly diagnosed) - 12.2 %
Return to top
Research News
Return to top

Research News

bullet
How Doctors Think NPR.org 

This question, not surprisingly, spawned others: Do different doctors think differently? Are different forms of thinking more or less prevalent among the different specialties? In other words, do surgeons think differently from internists, who think differently from pediatricians? Is there one "best" way to think, or are there multiple, alternative styles that can reach a correct diagnosis and choose the most effective treatment? How does a doctor think when he is forced to improvise, when confronted with a problem for which there is little or no precedent?
bullet
Patient-Support Tools  Medscape General Medicine [TM]

Future Directions: As limited and unsatisfying as information technology for patients has been, Blumenthal points out that the transformative potential is great. The fundamental premise of the practice and economics of medicine is a wide asymmetry of information. 

Return to top

 
Disclaimer:  The information on Lymphomation.org is not intended to be a substitute for 
professional medical advice or to replace your relationship with a physician.
For all medical concerns, you should always consult your doctor. 
Copyright © 2004,  All Rights Reserved.