Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
Ruben Mesa, MD
One of the top myeloproliferative neoplasms or MPN specialists in the U.S., Dr. Ruben Mesa, shares his thoughts on the latest in research on MPNs treatments, including drugs and combinations that produce promising results throughout clinical trials and research.
Dr. Mesa’s Interviews
Polycythemia Vera Treatments (2022)
What are the promising treatments in clinical research for polycythemia vera in 2022? Dr. Ruben Mesa discusses.
Myelofibrosis Treatments (2022)
There are so many new developments happening in myelofibrosis treatments. Dr. Ruben Mesa spotlights some of the top ones in 2022.
Essential Thrombocythemia Treatments (2022)
Dr. Mesa shares the latest on essential thrombocythemia treatment updates to watch out for in 2022.
Background
Ruben Mesa, MD
- Executive Director, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson
- Mays Family Foundation Distinguished University Presidential Chair
- Professor of Medicine
What drew you to medicine and to myeloproliferative neoplasms?
Dr. Ruben Mesa: When I was back as a medical student at Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota, back now 30 years ago, this very fall. As a first-year medical student, one of the first patients I saw as a medical student while working alongside someone whom I was rotating with was a patient with myelofibrosis.
So that individual still in their fellowship at that time, a very famous MPN specialist by the name of Dr. Jafari, I had a chance to visit with this woman. She was young, from South America, and she really had a very difficult case of myelofibrosis.
It gave me a chance to learn more about the disease, the difficulties that patients faced and got involved with research both with Dr. Jafari and other colleagues realize the tremendous opportunities. We had to develop better treatments. And the rest is history.
One reply on “MPNs, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms | Dr. Ruben Mesa”
Hello Dr. Mesa… I was dx with polycythemia about 13 years ago… it has now turned to Myelfibrosis.
My spleen is huge. Just began today taking Jakafi, hoping it will decrease spleen size. I look pregnant.
When I went in for ct scan, they found mass on left kidney.
Had bone marrow biopsy and biopsy of mass. I have kidney cancer, left kidney.
I see oncologist Dr. Steven Dong at Kaiser.
I would like to know what you would do if I were your patient.
My dr is hoping my spleen will decrease in size, then would remove kidney.
I was dx with this 11-21…
Good news is I feel ok.
I work 32 hour week.
Dr said only cure for myelfibrosis is stem cell transplant. Dr said it’s very long and grueling process to prepare my body to receive new marrow, would be in hospital for at least a month.
Is there anything else???
I’m 61.
Your thoughts will be very appreciated.
I live in Burien WA
Theresa DiMartino