Archive for March, 2014
Uterine cancers originate in either the uterine lining or the uterine muscle. Endometrial cancer, or cancer of the uterine lining, is the most common type of gynecologic cancer. Uterine muscle cancer, called a uterine sarcoma, is much rarer and tends to be more aggressive than most endometrial cancers. Currently, medical science has identified two types… Read More
Known as the “silent killer,” ovarian cancer can sneak up on a woman with vague symptoms that mimic other common benign conditions. Abdominal or pelvic discomfort, urinary urgency, constipation, and pelvic fullness are common. But these same symptoms can occur from something as innocuous as a urinary tract infection or as common as diverticulitis. However,… Read More
One of the great benefits of minimally invasive surgery, such as robotic hysterectomy, is less scarring. Research has suggested that minimally invasive surgery causes less scarring both internally and externally compared to open surgery. I recently re-operated on a patient of mine who had a robotic myomectomy a few years ago. A myomectomy is a… Read More
On February 28 I was a guest on Joni Aldrich‘s radio show Treatment SOS. The interview is packed with knowledge every woman should know. Listen below.
In my practice I am often faced with difficult questions regarding how the stage of cancer is reached by the medical field, and what that means for a patient’s health and prognosis. Here are some explanations you may find helpful, as this can be a diffcult topic to address. The term malignancy describes cells that… Read More
Normally, endometrial tissue lines the inside of the uterine cavity. This is the tissue a woman sheds every month with her menstrual cycle. When this tissue is found anywhere outside of its normal location, we call it endometriosis. This condition affects young, menstruating women. Although the cause of endometriosis is not completely understood, it is likely… Read More
Cervical cancer is caused by HPV and can occur if severe dysplasia is left untreated. Again, not all women with HPV get dysplasia, and not all women with dysplasia get cervical cancer. Certain factors predispose women to the progression of dysplasia to cancer, including smoking, immunosuppression, poor nutrition, and an unhealthy lifestyle. In general, cervical… Read More
The word adhesion refers to internal scarring whereby organs that are not normally attached become welded together with bands of tissue. Adhesions in the pelvis are caused by previous gynecologic surgery, trauma, inflammation, endometriosis, or tumors. When tissues are traumatized or inflamed, the healing systems of the body are activated. Just like a cut on your… Read More
By far, the most common condition treated by hysterectomy is fibroids. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterine muscle that can cause abnormal bleeding, pain, and/or infertility. Because they come from the uterine wall, as they grow and enlarge, the uterus becomes enlarged along with them. Each individual fibroid is a tumor, and often… Read More