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Adam Brufsky, MD, PhD
AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified) )| Communities: Breast Cancer , Kidney and Renal Cancer , Bladder and Urinary Cancer , Ovarian Cancer , Cervical Cancer , Prostate Cancer | Answers: 8 |
| Member Since: Apr. 2012 |
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Professional Statement
Adam M. Brufsky, MD, PhD, FACP, is professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and also serves as the associate division chief for the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine. Dr. Brufsky is the medical director of the Women’s Cancer Center at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI); associate director for clinical investigations at UPCI; and codirector of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center.
Dr. Brufsky is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. He earned a medical and doctor of philosophy degrees from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Conn.; completed a residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and a fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dr. Brufsky is a member of professional organizations, such as American Medical Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research, Allegheny County Medical Society, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Pennsylvania Oncologic Society. An active researcher, Dr. Brufsky has numerous abstracts and research articles in leading journals, and is principal investigator on a number of research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and US Army - Breast Cancer Research Program.
Dr. Brufsky is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. He earned a medical and doctor of philosophy degrees from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Conn.; completed a residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and a fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dr. Brufsky is a member of professional organizations, such as American Medical Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research, Allegheny County Medical Society, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Pennsylvania Oncologic Society. An active researcher, Dr. Brufsky has numerous abstracts and research articles in leading journals, and is principal investigator on a number of research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and US Army - Breast Cancer Research Program.
Professional Info
Credential: MD
Primary specialty: Oncology - Hematology/Oncology
Medical school: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fellowship: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Research interests: Clinical and translational research relating to the therapy of breast and genitourinary cancers
Hospital affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Practice name: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Practice address:
5150 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
15232
Practice phone number: 412-647-2811
AdamBrufskyMDPhD Activities
This is a very interesting question. I would say that for now, having a clotting disorder (which makes the blood thicker, like factor S or factor C deficiency) may make someone more susceptible to blood clots and pulmonary emboli (blood clots that travel to the lung) from cancer. For disorders which make the blood thinner (like Factor IX deficiency), bleeding is more common, and this may complicate therapies like chemo which reduce platelets. On the other hand, bleeding from cancer may be detected more quickly in such people, and that cancer may be detected earlier in its course.
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
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1 year ago
I am personally confused by the data so far. Some data suggest a correlation, some do not. Right now I tell my patients that alcohol in moderation (2-3 drinks per week) is probably OK and will not stimulate breast cancer or its recurrence.
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
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1 year ago
We find out if the cancer is positive for the estrogen receptor (we would use hormonal therapy) or Her2 (we would use herceptin and/or pertuzumab, perhaps with chemotherapy). We also look if there are bone metastases (we would use zometa or xgeva), and if there is a lot of disease in the lung or liver (we would favor chemo at that point). If there are mets to the brain, we would use radiation, and if there was a lot of pain in a bone, we would also use radiation as well. In trying to figure out what to use first, we look at how fast the cancer is spreading (i.e., if it has been a long time since the original diagnosis and the recurrence, then the cancer is likely spreading slowly), how much cancer there is (one or two mets versus a lot), and want the patient wants (no hair loss, maybe a bit of time before trying chemo).
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
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1 year ago
Generally a woman will complain of pain, usually in the ribs or hips, that lasts more than a few weeks. It is the kind of pain that you may want to see a chiropractor for. At that point we do a bone scan and/or MRI scans of the spine or pelvis. Sometimes we do a CT of the affected area. If there is only one area of abnormality, we usually biopsy it to confirm that it is cancer.
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
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1 year ago
At this first appointment, the oncologist will talk about where the cancer has spread, what the characteristics of the cancer are (i.e., positive for the receptor for estrogen and/or Her2), and what kind of therapies are available, be they chemo, hormonal therapy, or herceptin. There are also therapies to protect the bone (zometa, xgeva) that the oncologist may talk about. The oncologist will also talk about the side effects of these therapies, and whether more tests need to be done. At the end of this appointment a treatment plan is usually made. It is important to remember that the vast majority of women with metastatic breast cancer can live years with this disease (if not longer), so hopefully the oncologist is willing to try things to help the cancer.
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
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1 year ago
We need to look at whether the cancer is positive for the receptors for estrogen and/or Her2 neu. If it is positive for the Her2 Neu receptor, than we add a drug called Herceptin, which works with the chemotherapy synergistically. There is another drug, pertuzumab, which is about the be approved by the FDA, that we also use in this situation, and it works very well. If the cancer is positive for the receptor for estrogen, we can use hormonal therapies like tamoxifen, anastrozole (Arimidex), or fulvestrant (Faslodex). There is also another drug called everolimus (Afinitor) about to be approved that works with hormonal therapy as well.
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
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1 year ago
In order of likelihood: bone, liver, lung, brain.
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
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1 year ago
We generally try another chemotherapy. It really depends on how fast the cancer is progressing, and whether the cancer is positive for the estrogen receptor and/or Her2 Neu. There are lots of different chemotherapies for breast cancer, with lots of different mechanisms of action, and often we have to try 2-3 until we find one that works better than others.
New answer by AdamBrufskyMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
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1 year ago
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