Mountainside Hospital Center: Zager Robert F MD

Dr Zager treated my father for 8 years for what he identified as a lymphoprolific disorder because he never performed follow-up testing to classify his illness as Hairycell leukemia. We later discovered this form of cancer is highly curable. Month after month, my father would visit the office for his brief visit only to be told "you're doing well, continue the medication and I'll see you in 6 weeks". The years of chemotherapy caused his spleen to enlarge making it necessary to radiate it to reduce its size. To compound the mistreatment, a mole that was present since birth began to change in color and size, the borders were irregular and it would bleed. I've since learned these are all classic symptoms of melanoma. When my father expressed concern about the mole, Dr. Zager's response (after having seen this mole for a number of visits over a period of many months) was "well, if it bothers you, why don't you go to a surgeon to have it removed". Unfortunately, it was too late. It was a malignant melanoma that had been allowed to grow below 1mm into the skin and therefore had infiltrated his entire body. At this point, we changed doctors. Had it been removed immediately, the melanoma would have been completely eliminated. Our only battle left would have been against the leukemia which upon his death was in remission after only 3 treatments. In conclusion, if Dr. Zager took any interest beyond his cursory evalution every visit and was interested in discovering what was causing this lymphoprolific disorder he may have made a proper diagnoses years before the melanoma occured. Further, had Dr. Zager taken immediate action on the melanoma that too would have been of no concern. You may blame the family for not taking matters into our own hands and changed doctors long before we did - you're right! I feel guilty everyday but it doesn't change the fact that you should RUN FOR YOUR LIFE to another oncologist.