The Urgency of MPN Treatment – Why Timing Matters

As myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of progressive blood cancers that can develop quickly into more serious hematological diseases, hear what community practices need to know about treating these patients quickly and the impact that timeliness of care can have on patient outcomes. In this episode, CANCERBUZZ speaks with Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, United Energy Resources Inc. professor of Medicine and hematologist oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, about when to begin therapeutic care for MPNs and the urgency of treatment. "We learned from experience over the last ten to twenty years that early intervention—when things are not too bad—will actually help us achieve the goals of therapy. We will have a chance to significantly decrease the size of the spleen or improve the quality of life if we do not wait for patient to be terribly sick. So, early intervention in terms of identifying the problem, objectivizing it, [and recognizing] that the symptoms are there, [indicate that we] should start the therapy now—why wait?"–Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD This is the second video podcast in a four-episode series on myeloproliferative neoplasms in connection with the education program "Advancing Care for Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)." This episode is supported by Incyte. Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD Professor of Medicine, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine Hematologist Oncologist MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas Houston, TX Resources: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (cancersupportcommunity.org) MPN10: Track the Severity of your MF- or ET-related symptoms Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs): 7 questions, answered (MD Anderson Cancer Center)