Dennis Weisenburger, M.D.
Phone: 402.559.7689
Email:
dweisenb@unmc.edu
Interests:
Director of Hematopathology
Epidemiology
Consulting Pathologist, International Consortium of
Investigators working on Lymphoma Epidemiologic Studies
(interLymph)
Chief Pathologist, Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group
Research:
Biologic Studies of Lymphoma - Detailed histopathologic, immunologic, cytogenetic and molecular biologic
studies are done on cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease to precisely characterize each
case. Many cases are obtained through the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group. A detailed computerized pathology
database is linked with a clinical database containing the clinical presentation, response to therapy, and
follow-up. Using this data, detailed clinicopathologic analyses of various types of lymphoma are performed
and prognostic indicators are determined. Recent studies evaluating the new DNA microarray chip technology
for the classification of lymphoma are in progress.
Epidemiologic Studies - A large epidemiologic case-control study of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and related
disorders found that certain pesticides, such as 2,4-D and organophosphate insecticides, increase the risk
of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in farmers who use these products frequently. Also, the risk for non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma and related disorders is increased in women who use hair dyes, particularly permanent and dark
colors, and in women using insecticides. The same study also found that drinking nitrate contaminated water
increased the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and that certain dietary components can be chemopreventative
for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, particularly foods containing vitamin C and beta-carotene. Recent studies
evaluating genetic polymorphisms, molecular genetic features and additional dietary factors are in progress
and international collaboration in the epidemiologic study of lymphoma is ongoing.
Education and Training
B.A., University of North Dakota, 1970
M.D., University of Minnesota, 1974
Medicine Intern, Ohio State University, 1974-1975
Pathology Residency, University of Iowa, 1975-1978
Hematopathology Fellowship, City of Hope, 1979-1980
Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, 1979
National Activities
American Society of Clinical Pathologists Council on Hematology, 1994-2000
Society for Hematopathology Executive Committee, 1995-1999
National Cancer Institute Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Progress Review Group, 2000
International Consortium of Investigators Working on Lymphoma Epidemiologic Studies (InterLymph), 2001-present
Editorial Boards, Modern Pathology, Clinical Lymphoma
