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MASCC 2016 | Doctor’s journey through Plasmacytoma treatment

Mark Schubert, DDS, MSD of Seattle Care Alliance, Seattle, WA provides an overview of his journey through plasmacytoma treatment. With symptoms beginning in 2007, he mentions experiencing fatigue, peripheral neuropathies and weight loss, before officially being diagnosed with plasmacytoma in his left ilium. He then provides a brief overview of the various forms of treatment received: 5 courses of radiation, a treatment with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for a number of years, a switch to bortezomib and dexamethasone and then preceded to an autologous transplant in March 2014. Following that process, he was maintained with bortezomib and is now taking ixazomib. He reports feeling optimistic with the progress so far. Being a dentist, Dr. Schubert explains his experience working in supportive care, for oral oncology. He mentions knowledge surrounding the issues of bad oral complications side effects and a recurrence of disease that patients may experience. This had led to him feeling a sense of panic as a first reaction to his own diagnosis. However, he emphasizes that with the reassurance and support of family and a great oncology team, he was able to better understand and endure treatment. Having access to the literature, as well as care providers who would provide him with the latest up to date research, Dr. Schubert expresses feeling reassured, however at times a level of confusion with regards to making decisions on how he would like to be treated. Dr. Schubert concludes the interview with a takeaway message he plans to raise in his presentation being that patients have to build hope and confidence in their care providers, if they are going to be able to proceed on their treatment journey. Recorded at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and International Society of Ocular Oncology (ISOO) 2016 Annual Meeting on Supportive Care in Cancer held in Adelaide, Australia.