Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cancer, Health Tips, Sexual Health, Women's Health
Cervical cancer screening is probably the most successful cancer-screening program ever developed. One hundred years ago, cancer of the cervix was the leading cause of cancer for women in this country. Now it is not even in the top 10. This is largely because of the Pap smear, which was introduced in the 1950s.
Cervical cancer lends itself to a screening test, as the cervix can be directly visualized with simple equipment and its cells can be directly sampled with a relatively painless and risk-free procedure. In addition, cervical cancer is caused by the human Papilloma virus (HPV), which causes changes in the cervical cells that can be detected almost a decade before the onset of cancer. (more…)
Sep 4, 2013 | Cancer, Cardiology, Endovascular, Vascular Health
Pulmonary embolism is a common and dangerous condition that occurs when blood clots (deep venous thrombosis, or, DVT) break loose and travel from where the clots formed—mostly the leg veins (or, uncommonly, veins elsewhere)—to the pulmonary arteries, which conduct blood from the heart to the lungs. Sometimes these clots are small and may not cause clinical symptoms, because the surface area of the lungs, when opened out, would cover the surface of two tennis courts! However, occasionally, a pulmonary embolism can be massive and rapidly fatal. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cancer
Guest post by Mark S. Persky, MD, Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel
When Anthony Palminteri began having pain when swallowing, he knew something was wrong.
“I started having difficulty swallowing, and the pain got progressively worse,” Anthony says. “It made it hard to eat.” After several doctors failed to diagnose and treat his symptoms, Anthony was left with more questions than answers.
(more…)
May 15, 2013 | Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women's Health
Guest post by Susan K. Boolbol, MD FACS, Chief of the Appel-Venet Comprehensive Breast Service at Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Amanda Brandt, MS, Certified Genetic Counselor of the Mount Sinai Health System.
In an effort to raise public awareness about breast and ovarian cancer prevention, actress and director, Angelina Jolie, shared her personal story with the world. The New York Times letter revealed that a family history of ovarian cancer had prompted Jolie to seek genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The testing revealed a heightened risk for both and she made the decision to undergo a preventative double-mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery, reducing her breast cancer risk to under 5%. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cancer, Endocrinology, Geriatrics, Surgery
The thyroid gland got its name from the Greek word for “shield,” due to its physical appearance in the neck. In many ways, it acts like a shield by protecting our bodies from losing functional balance. The thyroid gland produces and releases thyroid hormone, which is crucial in regulating overall metabolism (the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy). Digestion, weight, temperature regulation and reproduction all are affected by the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland works like a thermostat via its connection with the brain. If there is not enough thyroid hormone in the blood stream, the brain will stimulate the thyroid gland to produce and release more. Blood tests are an easy way to detect both the level of thyroid hormone circulating in the blood — generally free thyroxine (T4) — and the stimulating signal from the brain (TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone). The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormone.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the term used to describe an underactive thyroid.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
• Fatigue
• Feeling colder than usual
• Changes in skin and hair
• Weight gain
Causes
A common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder in which cells in the body prevent the thyroid from producing and releasing enough thyroid hormone. Other causes include surgical removal of the thyroid gland for thyroid cancer; treatment of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) with radioactive iodine; or being born with an underactive thyroid gland.
Treatment
The treatment for hypothyroidism is to replace thyroid hormone in the form of a pill taken once a day, preferably by itself and on an empty stomach so that it is fully absorbed. The dose is easily adjusted based on blood tests.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism describes an overactive thyroid gland.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
• Increased sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Increased anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
Causes
A number of conditions can cause hyperthyroidism. Opposite to hypothyroidism, cells in the blood stream called antibodies make the thyroid gland secrete an excessive amount of thyroid hormone.
Treatments
The two most common treatments for hyperthyroidism are radioactive iodine and medication. Radioactive iodine works by destroying part of the thyroid gland to restore a normal level of thyroid hormone in the body; however, it is possible that hypothyroidism may then develop. Radioactive iodine has the benefit of generally being a more permanent treatment, although medications used to treat hyperthyroidism can be very effective in certain people, too. Just as in hypothyroidism, blood tests should be done routinely to monitor treatment.
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer can develop and, in the majority of cases, is curable by surgical removal of the thyroid gland by an experienced surgeon. Radioactive iodine may be used after surgery to destroy any small remaining cancer cells. An endocrinologist should be directly involved in monitoring care.
Extremes of thyroid function can certainly have an impact on your quality of life; the beauty is that with the correct diagnosis and management, these conditions can be greatly improved!
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.
Mar 18, 2013 | Cancer, Community Outreach, News
Guest Post by Aye Moe Thu Ma, MD, breast cancer specialist at Mount Sinai Roosevelt and Mount Sinai St. Luke’s. Earlier this year, Dr. Ma led a 15-member team of doctors and other health care professionals on a week-long medical mission to Myanmar, the Southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma. Under repressive military rule from 1962 to 2011, the country is beginning to emerge from decades of isolation as it moves toward democratic reforms. (more…)
Cervical cancer screening is probably the most successful cancer-screening program ever developed. One hundred years ago, cancer of the cervix was the leading cause of cancer for women in this country. Now it is not even in the top 10. This is largely because of the Pap smear, which was introduced in the 1950s.
