From the very first day of medical school, the doctors of tomorrow learn that the most effective way to master clinical medicine is to “make rounds” with great teaching physicians. This process continues into residency and fellowship, as these neophytes follow and observe their experienced mentors at the bedside and take part in extensive case discussions of the patients they observe. Of particular importance during rounds is the review of the most recent clinical research findings and how these might affect the patient’s care.

For over 20 years, the “rounds” approach has been a key feature of the audio education programs our group in Miami has produced for physicians and nurses who treat cancer patients. The enclosed patient education audio program was developed with the same concept in mind. For this issue, we visited the practice of community-based oncologist Dr Lowell Hart in Naples, Florida. Dr Hart arranged for us to meet three of his patients with lymphoma, and we invited MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Dr Fredrick Hagemeister, an internationally recognized clinical research leader in lymphoma, to serve as our expert “attending” physician.

On this program, you will hear the perspectives of these three patients on lymphoma and its treatment, Dr Hart’s presentation of these cases with the management course he recommended and Dr Hagemeister’s commentary on the latest research data that should be considered during decision-making in these three situations.

AUDIO PROGRAM GUIDE

	Dr Hart: Case 1 — Mr S, a 77-year-old man with gastric lymphoma who was treated successfully with chemotherapy, rituximab and radiation therapy
	Mr S and his wife: Adapting to life on chemotherapy and rituximab
	Dr Hagemeister: Discussion of Case 1 — Management of lymphoma of the stomach; mechanisms of action of rituximab and chemotherapy
	Dr Hart: Case 2 — Ms M, a 65-year-old woman who received R-CHOP therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
	Ms M: Side effects of chemotherapy and rituximab
	Dr Hart: Case 3 — Mr H, a 39-year-old man with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
	Dr Hagemeister: Discussion of Cases 2 and 3; indolent versus aggressive lymphoma; difference between CLL and lymphoma; recovery from chemotherapy
	Mr H: Coping with chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy