Barbara A. Pockaj, M.D.

This project will investigate whether ctDNA analysis in newly diagnosed stage I, II, III breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy can predict pathological Complete Response (pCR).

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are developing a Biobank of adult stem cell-rich breast organoids, a new research resource to facilitate normal and cancer stem cell research. Subjects in the Biobank will provide samples of excess breast tissue, complete a health questionnaire, and allow access to medical records now and in the future. The Biobank serves as a library for researchers; instead of having to look for volunteers for each new project, researchers can use samples from the Biobank as well as share information already collected.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of blood collection tube type and processing methods on ctDNA, evaluate the impact of long-term storage of plasma and extracted DNA, and evaluate ctDNA levels at baseline and during treatment for patients with Stage I-III breast cancer.
 

The purpose of this study is to establish and analyze a large database on the outcomes of patients undergoing selective SLND, we hope to correlate a pattern of recurrence with selected patient characteristics. These results have the potential of giving physicians the ability to predict outcomes for future cancer patients and provide them a more effective course of treatment.

The purpose of this study is to collect blood and tissue samples for research of cancer.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the surgical outcomes that patients have after breast reconstruction, and to assess how reconstruction has affected their quality of life.

The purpose of this study is to determine if octreotide scans are more sensitive than PET scans for diagnosing carcinoid or neuroendocrine tumors.