Evaluating the impact of a year-long external mentorship pilot program in classical hematology.

ABSTRACT: Effective mentorship is a pivotal factor in shaping the career trajectory of trainees interested in classical hematology (CH), which is of critical importance due to the anticipated decline in the CH workforce. However, there is a lack of mentorship opportunities within CH compared with medical oncology. To address this need, a year-long external mentorship program was implemented through the American Society of Hematology Medical Educators Institute. Thirty-five hematology/oncology fellows interested in CH and 34 academically productive faculty mentors from different institutions across North America were paired in a meticulous process that considered individual interests, experiences, and background. Pairs were expected to meet virtually once a month. Participation in a scholarly project was optional. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was used to evaluate the program using mentee and mentor surveys, a mentee interview, and a mentee focus group. Thirty-three mentee-mentor pairs (94.2%) completed the program. Sixty-three percent of mentee respondents worked on a scholarly project with their mentor; several mentees earned publications, grants, and awards. Mentee perception that their assigned mentor was a good match was associated with a perceived positive impact on confidence (P = .0423), career development (P = .0423), and professional identity (P = .0302). Furthermore, 23 mentees (66%) accepted CH faculty positions after fellowship. All mentor respondents believed that this program would increase retention in CH. This mentorship program demonstrates a productive, beneficial way of connecting mentees and mentors from different institutions to improve the careers of CH trainees, with the ultimate goal of increasing retention in CH.

Prostate adenocarcinoma metastases to the testis and brain: case report and review of the literature.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. While clinicians commonly see metastases to the bones and lymph nodes, it may infrequently spread to more uncommon locations. We report an unusual case of an 83-year-old patient with previously treated prostate adenocarcinoma who presents with symptomatic metastases to the testis and brain in the absence of widely disseminated disease. This case report highlights the importance of including metastatic disease in the differential for patients with a history of prostate cancer and a newly discovered mass until an evaluation of the tissue can be performed.

[18F] Positron emission tomography response after rituximab-containing induction therapy in follicular lymphoma is an independent predictor of survival after adjustment for FLIPI in academic and community-based practice.

Positron emission tomography (PET) after induction therapy in follicular lymphoma (FL) is predictive of survival in clinical trials. We describe use of PET and computed tomography (CT) after rituximab-based induction therapy in FL patients followed by the National LymphoCare Study and explore the association between imaging response assessment and survival. Among 1289 patients, imaging consisted of: PET ± CT (35%), CT alone (42%), other/no imaging (24%). Median follow-up was 7.6 years. In unadjusted analyses, positive PET ± CT and CT were prognostic of inferior OS (HR 1.78; 95% CI: 1.16-2.72 and HR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.13-2.29, respectively) and PFS (HR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.21-2.20 and HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.12-1.89, respectively). Adjusting for FL International Prognostic Index, PET remained predictive of OS (HR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01-2.36) and PFS (HR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.14-2.07). Residual disease via PET in FL is prognostic of survival in clinical practice.