- With Mayo Clinic hematologist
Ruben Mesa, M.D.
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Ruben Mesa, M.D.
Ruben A. Mesa, M.D.
Ruben A. Mesa, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology and is a consultant and section head in the Division of Hematology and Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and an associate professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School.
The Chicago-area native's primary field of interest is hematology with special interests in both acute and chronic leukemias — specifically the chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs).
"I believe patients' understanding of their disease is a critical first step in the healing process," he says. "I believe that the Internet, carefully used, is a phenomenal resource for patients to be able to access high-quality and valuable information to understand both their diseases and various treatments."
Dr. Mesa has been with Mayo Clinic throughout his training since 1991 and is a graduate of Mayo Medical School. He is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Physicians.
His scholarship has focused on advancing the understanding and therapy of the chronic myeloproliferative disorders. In these disorders, he has been active in evaluating novel therapeutics, implementing clinical trials, working with quality of life studies, and actively involved with national patient groups.
He is supported in these efforts by research funding from the National Cancer Institute, the MPD Foundation, and Mayo Clinic's Hematologic Malignancy Program. He is principal investigator in several trials specifically for myelofibrosis, and is organizing a trial using exercise to counteract MPD-associated fatigue. He is committed to improving the therapy and quality of life in MPD patients. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on these disorders.
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Question
Hodgkin's vs. non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: What's the difference?
What's the difference between Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Answer
from Ruben Mesa, M.D.
Both Hodgkin lymphoma (formerly known as Hodgkin's disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) are lymphomas, a type of cancer that originates in a subset of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are an important part of your immune system. The main difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma is in the specific lymphocyte each involves.
A doctor can tell the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma by examining the cancer cells under a microscope. If in examining the cells, the doctor detects the presence of a specific type of abnormal cell called a Reed-Sternberg cell, the lymphoma is classified as Hodgkin. If the Reed-Sternberg cell is not present, the lymphoma is classified as non-Hodgkin.
The distinction is important because the treatment for each type can be very different.
- What is Hodgkin lymphoma? National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/hodgkin/page2. Accessed Aug. 25, 2009.
- What is Hodgkin disease? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1X_What_is_Hodgkins_disease_20.asp. Accessed Aug. 25, 2009.
- What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma? National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/page2. Accessed Aug. 25, 2009.
- What is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_Is_Non_Hodgkins_Lymphoma_32.asp. Accessed Aug. 25, 2009.
