Corrinne Fournier is in treatment for neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumors, a genetically inherited disorder in which the nerve tissues grow tumors. After years of “watchful waiting,” she became a patient of Scott R. Plotkin, MD, PhD, in the Mass General Cancer Center’s Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology.
Helplessness turned to hope after Corrine met with Dr. Plotkin. “Before, I felt there wasn’t anything I could do to help myself with this disease,” says Corrinne. “My hearing was declining to the point that communication was extremely difficult for me. I wanted options other than surgery or radiation, and that is exactly what Dr. Plotkin provided.”
News of a promising clinical trial prompted Corrinne’s call to Dr. Plotkin. Under his care, she joined a groundbreaking trial for Avastin (bevacizumab).
“My hearing has improved and my tumor size has remained stable,” says Corrinne. “Dr. Plotkin’s optimistic yet honest approach and his active, compassionate role in research provide the neurofibromatosis community with bundles of hope, something we did not have before.”
Dr. Plotkin published his research findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. He was awarded the prestigious Joseph B. Martin Award (named in honor of the former chief of Neurology at Mass General and Dean of Harvard Medical School) in 2009 for his NF work. Each year this award recognizes the top scientific paper from the entire hospital.
