Dr. Pemmaraju on the Need for Collaboration in Myelofibrosis

Naveen Pemmaraju, MD, associate professor in the Department of Leukemia of the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the need for collaboration when diagnosing and treating patients with myelofibrosis.

Myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer that impacts approximately 4 to 6 patients out of 100,000 in the United States. However, there may be even more patients who have not yet been diagnosed, says Pemmaraju. In myelofibrosis and myeloproliferative neoplasms in general, the community practice provider has a very important role in the recognition, diagnosis, and management of the disease, adds Pemmaraju.

Pemmaraju works at an academic center and recommends patients and providers seek second and, even third, opinions regarding the best way to move forward in the treatment journey. He also recommends referring patients to a major academic center.

Community oncologists should collaborate closely with academic center physicians to co-manage patients with myelofibrosis, because having multiple doctors involved from different backgrounds will maximize care for patients with disease, concludes Pemmaraju.