It is one of a handful of such programs in Florida. Currently, testing is done most commonly for breast, ovarian, uterine or colorectal cancer. An evaluation involves getting a detailed family medical history from patients and having a geneticist study the information to estimate the probability that genetic mutations occurred. The physician and geneticist counsel patients about their options and the pros and cons of genetic testing. Then the patient decides whether or not to be tested.
More counseling follows when the results come in.
If there s an increased risk, Mayo physicians will work with the patient and the referring physician to determine how to monitor the situation and what preventive measures to take. Cartilage regeneration could spare a young patient with articular cartilage damage the need for knee- replacement surgery at a relatively early age. An autologous chondrocyte implant involves removing some healthy cartilage and sending it to a lab where the cartilage cells, or chondrocytes, are grown in culture. The cultured cells are sent back to the surgeon and implanted into the damaged area. Eventually, they take hold and grow new cartilage.