Pathology and Healthy Living

1. Proceeds go to support pathologist led cervical and breast cancer screening for underserved women. 2. Own a piece of The Doors legacy created by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Robby Krieger. 3. These are the opening notes to Light My Fire, the first song Robby Krieger wrote, which launched The Doors career by hitting #1 on the charts in 1967. 4. You will get a hand written note from Robby thanking you. 5. If a pathologist is the high bidder and goes over $2k, you wil

I had the honor of recently testifying at the Massachusetts State House regarding a solution for preventing surprise medical bills. Surprise medical bills, also known as "balance billing" or "out of network" bills occur when a patient unknowingly receives care from an out of network provider in a in-network hospital. Many times these charges are for pathology labs, radiology studies, anesthesia and emergency care. The root of the problem is that many insurance companies have

As a pathologist passionate about fighting cancer, and a lifelong fan of The Doors, it was a dream come true to be able to partner with Robby Krieger to support both our charities. Robby Krieger, perhaps best known as the guitarist and songwriter for the he legendary band The Doors, wrote and co-wrote many of the band’s most iconic songs, including “Break on Through”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Touch Me”, “Love Her Madly” “Roadhouse Blues” “Spanish Caravan”, and “Light My Fire”. R

For the first time, researchers have an exciting new option for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), that thus far has lacked effective therapy. TNBC refers to invasive breast cancers that lack expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and are negative for the HER2 protein. TNBC accounts for about 10-15% of all breast cancers. It is typically more aggressive than estrogen receptor positive breast cancer and HER2 positive breast cancer. TNBC often occ

Patients are increasingly accessing their lab results through electronic medical record portals. Lab tests account for 94% of the data in a patient's health record. Pathologists and lab testing inform 70% of all medical decisions. As such, it is natural that pathologists should ensure patients and families understand their results. The shared decision model where the informed and engaged patient works with their provider to navigate this array of data and create a personalize

Our study is the first report of direct patient-pathologist consultation. Early data suggest that the program may provide effective patient-specific education. The high response rate and favorable assessment of the program suggest that it may be a valuable resource for some patients. These are the questions we asked patients. Here is a sampling of some of the responses. See for yourself. Bring your pathology report and ask if you can meet your pathologist. #pathology #consult

Your pathologist is the doctor you may not have met, nor even know is caring for you. It’s true though, a pathologist is responsible for every lab test and pathology report. All treatment begins with the pathologist’s diagnosis. Take a look at a recent report and ask to speak with the pathologist if you have any questions. You should understand every word in the report and how your treatment is impacted. Here are some reasons why you should reach out. All treatment begins wit

The flu has arrived with a vengeance. Massachusetts and national statistics confirm this is a bad flu season. It is not the worst year in recent memory—for example, the pace in 2014-5 was faster—but it’s bad enough. Let's look at some facts you need to know. What are the numbers? Here in Massachusetts, the week ending Jan. 12 showed a slight dip in cases—but it is too soon to know whether this is a trend. Laboratory-confirmed cases in the state are running at three times the

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) have followed up their 2013 evidence-based guideline with the UPDATED MOLECULAR TESTING GUIDELINE FOR THE SELECTION OF LUNG CANCER PATIENTS FOR TREATMENT WITH TARGETED TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITORS. The new guideline continues to set evidence-based standards for clinical molecular testing of non-small cell lung cancers

Patients are often unaware of the role pathology plays in their care and most lack the opportunity to speak directly to pathologists. Hospitals and clinicians should make patients aware of expert pathology services as they would any other patient care asset. Pathologists themselves should consider it a professional obligation to interact with patients who wish to discuss their diagnostic findings. Communicating with patients allows them to better understand their diagnosis an

Dr. Michael J. Misialek welcomes Linnea Olson to Path Report. Ms. Olson, an artist and fierce patient advocate, is a young patient with advanced lung cancer, who is alive because of precision medicine and her pathologist. The episode examines lung cancer, the importance of tumor profiling and Ms. Olson’s journey. The show highlights how pathologists impact treatment and why a patient might want to reach out to their pathologist. By empowering patients with knowledge, one can

The Precision Medicine Leaders Summit kicks off August 21-24 in San Diego. Among the many fascinating talks, one in particular stands out. "Tissue is Still the Issue: A Paradigm Shift in Biopsy Philosophy" moderated by Mary E. Edgerton, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, including panelists Mark Boguski, MD Chief Medical Officer Inspirata, Michael Misialek, MD, Associate Chair of Pathology Newton-Wellesley

The recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) on 10 scientific approaches most likely to make a decade’s worth of progress against cancer in five years under the Cancer Moonshot were accepted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Many of these bold endeavors will require the unique skills of pathologists. The NCI press release states the following: "In January 2016, during his State of the Union address, President Obama announced the Cancer Moonshot “for the loved ones

April marks testicular cancer awareness month. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates about 8,720 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in 2016 with 380 men dying of the disease. The incidence rate of testicular cancer has been increasing for several decades. The exact reasons why are unknown. However, recently the rate of increase has slowed. Testicular cancer is uncommon; with about 1 of every 263 males developing testicular cancer during their lives. The av

Increasingly, patients are turning towards non-traditional health care sites, such as retail stores, pharmacies and virtual/telemedicine. As consumers shoulder more of their health care costs, they are choosing care with an eye on costs. Direct to consumer lab testing as a result is flourishing. Theranos, a company that provides direct to consumer testing based on a proprietary finger prick method, has been the subject of recent intense scrutiny due to their lack of transpare

A new survey sheds surprising details on how and where consumers are finding healthcare. Published by Oliver Wyman’s Health & Life Sciences practice, which serves clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, provider, and payer sectors with strategic, operational, and organizational advice, they find consumers flocking to alternative healthcare access points. "According to the survey: More consumers are using alternative sites. Many people find the experienc

Colorectal cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells, often starting as a polyp, in the colon or rectum. A polyp is a small growth of cells lining the intestines. Polyps can be flat or raised. Raised polyps are described as pedunculated, if on a stalk, or sessile, if there is no stalk. Polyps are common in those over 50 years of age. They are not cancer. However certain types have a risk of becoming cancerous. Pathologists characterize polyps based on their appearance unde

About 1 in 20 people in the US will develop colon cancer during his or her lifetime. And, in my state of Massachusetts, more than 30 people per 100,000 will be diagnosed with this life-threatening disease. These are alarming statistics. However, if everyone was tested as recommended more lives could be saved. As a physician specializing in pathology and laboratory medicine, I use the microscope to examine cells and tissues to diagnose colon cancer and other diseases. I know t

Pathologists are physicians and diagnostic experts. As a pathologist, our work touches every patient, in every stage of life. Situated at the intersection of all medical specialties, pathologists provide the link between the science and practice of medicine. All treatment begins with a diagnosis. Whether it be the results of a common blood test, tissue biopsy or esoteric molecular analysis, pathologists give direction to the work up of patient problems. A pathologist is a key

Pancreatic cancer represents 3% of cancers in the US, yet accounts for 7% of cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015 about 48,960 people will be diagnosed. More than 40,000 will die of pancreatic cancer. Unlike other cancers where advances in precision medicine have translated to improvements in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, such progress has been slow with pancreatic cancer. Many factors likely contribute, including: an incomplete understandin