Is melanoma serious? Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It begins in skin cells called melanocytes. Though melanoma is predominantly found on the skin, it can occur in other parts of the body such as the sole of the foot, palm of the hand, anus/rectum and eye (uvea). Melanocytes are the cells ... Read More »
What is sarcoma? Sarcoma is the name given to cancers that arise from the bones and soft tissues, including fat, muscle and blood vessels. Bone sarcomas usually occur in children and adolescents, while soft tissue sarcomas are more common in adults. What is different about sarcoma? Sarcomas are very rare compared to other types of ... Read More »
What is retroperitoneal sarcoma? Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops from the body’s connective tissues, such as fat, muscle, blood vessels and fibrous tissue. About 20% of sarcomas develop in the back of the abdomen, also known as the retroperitoneum, next to the kidneys. Retroperitoneal sarcomas likely develop over a long period ... Read More »
Sacral nerve stimulation involves placement of a special electrode into the lower part of the spine. It is performed as a two-part surgery: During the first part, or test phase, the electrode is placed in the spine and powered by a temporary battery. If the device results in significant improvements to continence, a second procedure ... Read More »
Volvulus is a condition in which a section of the intestines becomes twisted around itself and the tissue attached to the abdominal wall, impairing blood flow. It occurs most often in middle-aged and elderly men, although an also be experienced by women. Certain types of volvulus occur in babies due to a congenital defects known ... Read More »
An anal fissure is a small tear in the tissue that lines the anus which can occur when a person passes a large or hard stool. Fissures are common among infants, but can be experienced by people of all ages. Signs and symptoms of anal fissures Patients might become aware of an anal fissure if ... Read More »
Rectal bleeding is most commonly noticed by patients as bright red spots of blood on toilet paper. Abnormally dark stools can also be a sign of rectal bleeding. Patients should always contact their primary care physician if they notice or suspect they are experiencing rectal bleeding as it may be a sign of colon cancer, ... Read More »
The gallbladder is a small organ underneath the liver that stores bile to help digest fat in the small intestine. Many conditions that can affect the gallbladder collectively are known as gallbladder disease. Gallstones are hardened bits of fluid that form in the gallbladder. While gallstones vary in size and severity, and many times they ... Read More »
Gastroparesis is a stomach disorder in which food moves through the stomach more slowly than normal. In a healthy digestive system, strong muscular contractions move food from the stomach through the digestive tract. With gastroparesis, however, the stomach muscles work poorly (or not at all), thus preventing the stomach from emptying properly. The impact of ... Read More »
Benign breast disease refers to noncancerous lumps in the breast. Examples of benign breast disease include cysts and fibroadenomas. Four out of five breast lumps are benign, meaning they don’t pose a serious threat to health.