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New Liver Cancer Treatment Advances

Liver Cancer can be a true menace for patients who suffer from this disease. Hard to detect in early stages, difficult to treat, and often deadly for patients in advanced stages. The great news is that doctors are working tirelessly around the globe and have developed three new advances that we believe you should be keeping an eye on today.

New Trial for Sterostatic Ablative Liver Cancer Treatment

Feb 26, 2022 – Currently, for liver cancer patients who can’t go through surgery, the most standard treatment technique is ablative body radiotherapy. This is where radiation is heated to extreme temperatures and is injected directly into cancerous tumors using a needle. The problem is that these treatments are not always successful with cancer likely to reoccur in over 30 percent of cases. Others can’t even receive this treatment at all due to the size and location of their tumors. 

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy seeks to solve this by targeting the tumors in question non-invasively, in the form of high radiation beams across multiple sessions. These treatments have proven successful for other cancer patients, and while still only experimental, could be a lifeline for patients suffering from liver cancers that can’t be treated with surgery, or typical radioactive therapy. 

Researchers able to Restore Function to a Gene that can Suppress Liver Cancer

Feb 9, 2022 – In what could be a groundbreaking change in how liver cancer is treated, researchers from Masschesuts General Hospital, and Brigham and Womans’ Hospital have been able to manually reactivate the p53 master regulator gene using MRNA particles. In a treatment very similar to the Covid 19 vaccine, these mRNA particles were able to turn on the genes responsible for destroying cancerous tumor cells that had long been deactivated by cancer in the first place. 

This new technique, in combination with Immunocheckpoint blockers, another new drug developed for liver cancer patients, could revolutionize the prognosis of thousands of people who do not respond to current cancer treatments, changing the outlook for many who have lost hope.

Cancer treatment can be filled with empty promises and dashed hopes, and while these advances will not change Cancer treatment overnight, it brings hope that cancer could be treated and cured for more people in the near future.

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March 3, 2022
Surgery Group LA
Liver Cancer: Surgical Treatments

Liver Cancer is the name that categorizes a multitude of liver cancerous diseases, the most common of which is hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancers that stem from the other parts of the body say colon, lung, rectal, that spread to the liver are called metastatic cancers. Liver Cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the United States, with over 30,000 people dying from liver cancer in 2021. 

For Liver Cancer, the most common form of disease-directed treatment is Surgery. The great news is that surgery is often the most successful form of treatment, especially with patients with good liver function and tumors of moderate size.

The two most common forms of Liver Cancer Surgical Treatments are:

  • Hepatectomy –  This Surgery involves removing a portion of the liver, in order to remove a single tumor. Hepatectomy can only be performed if the tumor in question has not grown into the blood vessels, leaving at least 30% of the liver functioning. The liver in question must also be relatively healthy and free of cirrhosis.
    • Possible Side Effects: Bleeding, Infection, Blood Clots, Pneumonia, and the possibility of new Liver Cancer forming
  • Liver Transplant – When available, a Liver Transplant can be the best option for patients whose tumors can’t be removed through other surgical methods. Unfortunately, there are only about 8,400 livers available for transplants every year, and these livers are used to treat other diseases alongside liver cancer.
    • Possible Side Effects: Bleeding, Infection, Blood Clots, Pneumonia, and the possibility of new Liver Cancer forming

While Liver Cancer is a stressful diagnosis to endure, there are treatments available. If you or a loved one is suffering from Liver Cancer, discuss with your medical team the possibilities of surgical treatment.

March 3, 2022
Surgery Group LA
Treatment Options for Breast Cancer Besides Chemotherapy
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Since its development in 1956, Chemotherapy has become almost interchangeable for the term cancer treatment. Chemotherapy has helped millions of people who have suffered from cancer, but the side effects from these treatments can often be taxing and brutal on the human body.

However thankfully for breast cancer patients, new treatments have been developed that could possibly curtail the need for chemotherapy. Breast cancer has now been found to be not one disease, but a group of diseases, each that require its own unique form of treatment. This means that chemotherapy is no longer the only treatment for a vast majority of breast cancer treatments.

Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

For about 70 -80 percent of cases of breast cancer, their cancer cells require estrogen or progesterone in order to help grow and spread throughout the body. Drugs like Tamoxifen works like estrogen in healthy tissues in the body without triggering the hormone receptors of cancer cells. When done without complications, these treatments are highly effective and have proven to work even without the assistance of chemotherapy. 

Surgical Breast Cancer Treatment

While Surgery is not a replacement for chemotherapy, most breast cancer patients will require surgery as some part of their treatment plan. These surgeries are usually categorized as either:

  • Breast-Conserving Surgery – where the cancer cells are surgically removed as well as some of the surrounding tissue. This helps conserve as much tissue as possible
  • Mastectomy – where the whole breast is removed, as well as other connecting tissues

The good news is that these surgeries are being perfected every day in order to conserve and repair as much breast tissue as possible.

Clinical trials

For patients who are not responding to traditional treatments but want to keep trying, clinical trials can be a great option. It can offer people more control and information in their case, new treatments, and allow them to evolve medical information for future generations. 

While each treatment should be thoroughly discussed with your medical professional, breast cancer treatment has evolved into a field with a variety of options that can be tailored to you. If you or a loved one is suffering from breast cancer, please speak to a medical professional today.

February 26, 2022
Surgery Group LA
AstraZeneca Reports Positive Results from New Breast Cancer Treatment Trial

Drug researchers from AstraZeneca PLC have reported that results from the late-stage trials of their drug Enhertu have been shown to improve the survival rates of their breast cancer patients. 

Enhertu is the latest of a series of drugs developed to target the cancer-linked protein HER2. 1 in 5 breast cancer patients has HER2-producing genes, and these proteins can often cause a more aggressive and damaging form of cancer.

This is crucial news for the 1 in 8 women in the United States who will get some form of invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. While new screening processes and treatments have lowered the mortality of breast cancer patients, nearly 44,000 people died from breast cancer last year in the US alone.

The great news is that drugs like Enhertu specifically target these HER2 proteins, rather than indirectly destroying them in treatments such as chemotherapy. These studies at least suggest that HER2 treatments perform better than even a physician’s recommended form of chemotherapy treatment, and if these results could continue could cause a paradigm shift in breast cancer treatment.

If you or a loved one has questions or concerns in regards to breast cancer screening, testing, or treatment, please speak to a medical professional right away.

February 26, 2022
Surgery Group LA
5 Early Warning Signs of Liver Cancer

It is important to know that liver cancer can express itself in a way that does not cause symptoms, especially during its early stages. The American Cancer Society does not recommend any wide screening test for patients who are average risk, such as those who do not show symptoms and do not have a family history of liver cancer. This is due to the liver being blocked off by most screening tests due to the ribcage interfering.

Patients who suffer from any cirrhosis of the liver, chronic Hepatitis B infection, or certain genetic diseases may need to be screened more often than average-risk patients.

However, it is important for any person who shows any of these early warning signs to speak with a medical professional as soon as they can:

  • A pain near the right shoulder pain, in the back, or on the top of the abdominal area that does not go away.
  • A hard lump under the ribs on the right side of the body, a common sign that the liver has gotten bigger
  • Prolonged weakness and fatigue
  • Unaccounted for weight loss
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, which is called jaundice

While these symptoms might be alarming they are not immediately a sign of liver cancer. If your doctor believes that you are suffering from liver cancer they will often perform an ultrasound, which uses sonic images that will give a better picture of your soft tissue than an X-Ray can provide. If they require further testing, they may use ultrasound technology in order to help guide a biopsy of any growth inside of your body, in order to test if the growth is cancerous.

The good news is that treatments for liver cancer grow better every day and with early detection, treatment is possible. If you or a loved one has any questions regarding liver cancer or liver cancer screenings, please speak to a medical professional today.

February 7, 2022
Surgery Group LA
New Drug Combination may treat Pancreatic Cancer

A team of MIT researchers has discovered that a combination of three immunotherapy drugs can eliminate pancreatic tumors in mice, and should enter clinical trials later this year.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy drugs work by facilitating the immune response of T cells, a white blood cell crucial for a person’s ability to fight off a variety of diseases, including cancer. The problem is that most cancerous tumors, including pancreatic tumors, create immunosuppressive proteins that shut down the response of the T cells, causing cancer cells to grow unabated.

Most common immunotherapies, such as Immune Checkpoint Therapy, block the interaction between these immunosuppressive proteins and T Cells, allowing T Cells to return to their natural job of destroying cancerous cells. While these more common therapies have shown success in treating Melanoma and Lung Cancer, they have not proven to be successful at treating Pancreatic Cancer.

Researchers found that this was because the most common form of immunosuppressive protein, PD -1, was not often found in pancreatic cells, but instead had a protein called CD 155/TIGIT which is not only harder to detect but can effectively shut a T cell down.

New Immunotherapy Combinations

Using this knowledge, researchers crafted combinations of drugs that not only suppress the formation and interaction of the more common cancerous PD -1 Protein but the CD 155/TIGIT protein as well. Combining more traditional immunotherapy drugs with a new experimental drug called CD 40, researchers were able to shrink the tumors of about 50 percent of the animals they tested on, and in 25% of the animals they tested, the tumors disappeared completely. Perhaps even more importantly, once the treatment was stopped, the tumors did not regrow.

While neither of these drugs is FDA approved currently, they are in stage 2 of their clinical trials. If these results prove capable of lasting through human trials, it could be amazing news to the lives of the more than 60,000 Americans every year that are suffering from pancreatic cancer. While rare, pancreatic cancer is especially deadly due to a lack of effective treatment options, and only 10% of patients survive 5 years after diagnosis.

If you or anyone you know has a family history of pancreatic cancer, please speak to a medical professional today.

February 7, 2022
Surgery Group LA
Should I get surgery for my hernia? An introduction to surgical treatments for hernias

Hernias are a painful condition caused when an internal organ pushes through the muscles or tissues holding it in place. This can often cause a noticeable bump or lump to form around the affected region. A common example is when the intestines push through the abdominal muscles in your body. Hernias often occur around the abdominal or groin region and are most visible while standing.

Common symptoms of a hernia include: 

  • A feeling of fullness or constipation
  • Weakness and pressure around a sensitive area
  • A bulge or lump that does not go away
  • A tugging and burning aching sensation

Does my hernia need surgery?

In a few cases, if a hernia is small enough and doesn’t cause any pain or issues, you might be able to postpone surgery. However, most hernias do get larger over time and will most likely cause more serious complications if surgery is not performed soon. 

One of the most serious hernia-related complications is referred to as strangulation. Strangulations occur when the bulging organ in question is being cut off by muscle tissue, causing the tissue to swell up and possibly die. Once this happens your symptoms will begin to intensify causing: 

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Intense pain
  • The bulge turning red or purple

If any of these complications occur, it might be time to perform surgical treatment.

How does hernia surgery work?

During surgery, the tissue that is leaking out is placed back into its proper place, and the muscle tissue that is damaged is stitched back together. If the muscle in question is too weak to support the organs it may be reinforced with mesh, strengthening the placement of the organs.

The great news is that almost all hernia-related surgeries can be performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic technology. This type of surgery allows surgeons to use robotic interfaces while performing surgery, drastically reducing the incision point needed to perform surgery, and ensuring that the surgery is performed with pinpoint accuracy. 

Hernias can become painful or worse if they are not treated. If you believe that you are suffering from a hernia, now may be the time to speak with a medical professional to receive a consultation on a treatment plan for you.

January 10, 2022
Surgery Group LA
Is my pain a hernia? 3 commonly mistaken conditions for a hernia

Hernias are a painful condition caused when an internal organ pushes through the muscles or tissues holding it in place. This can often cause a noticeable bump or lump to form around the affected region. A common example is when the intestines push through the abdominal muscles in your body. Hernias often occur around the abdominal or groin region and are most visible while standing.

Common symptoms of a hernia include: 

  • A feeling of fullness or constipation
  • Weakness and pressure around a sensitive area
  • A bulge or lump that does not go away
  • A tugging and burning aching sensation

However, these symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors and conditions. This is why it is so important that if you suffer from one of these symptoms to speak to a medical professional. That way they can specify if your painful condition is the result of a hernia or one of these possible medical issues.

Groin Strains

A hernia can often be mistaken for a groin strain as both conditions can cause a burning tugging sensation around the groin. They both can also cause weakness in the area for an extended period of time. The condition in question might be an inguinal or groin hernia if there is a lump on one side of your groin that is most noticeable while walking or standing. While people can suffer from groin hernia even without a bulge forming, a lump is the most common sign that you are suffering from a groin hernia and not simply a strain.

Ovarian Cysts

For women, hernias can often be small and internal, which is why they can often be misdiagnosed as ovarian cysts. Women are less likely to suffer from hernias compared to men, which can also be why hernias are misattributed to ovarian conditions. If a woman is continually suffering from abdominal pain or groin pain and other explanations have been ruled out, a hernia may be the cause.

Appendicitis

Strong intense pain around the abdominal region, especially if it comes on suddenly, can also be a sign of appendicitis. If you feel an intense abdominal pain that intensifies greatly over the course of 12 to 24 hours and is causing nausea and vomiting, this is probably not a sign of a hernia but a serious bacterial infection. Please consult a medical professional immediately if this is the case

Conclusion

There are a multitude of issues that may cause groin or abdominal pain. However, a hernia will often cause a lump or bulge that will be most prominent while standing. While some hernias can get dramatically worse, abdominal pain that onsets dramatically over the course of a few hours might be a sign of a serious infection that should receive treatment immediately. If you have any questions or concerns about groin or abdominal pain it is always a good idea to consult a medical professional as soon as you can.

January 10, 2022
Surgery Group LA
Epigastric Hernia

Epigastric hernias account for about 2-3% of all abdominal hernias.  Abdominal hernias are holes in the lining of the abdominal cavity or belly through which fat and eventually intestine pokes out.  Epigastric hernias are defined by their location.  They stick out from the midline of the front of the belly between the belly button and the bottom of the breast bone or sternum.  These hernias should be distinguished from hernias in the same location that occur through openings where prior surgery has taken place. Hernias through previously used abdominal surgical scars are known as incisional hernias.

Epigastric hernias can cause no symptoms at all or can be uncomfortable.  When epigastric hernias cause symptoms it is usually discomfort or pain at the site of the lump.  The pain ranges from very mild discomfort to severe pain.  Occasionally when the fat coming out of the belly through the hernia is squeezed very tight by the tiny hernia opening, the fat can become very inflamed and extremely painful. The lump can be reducible in that it can be pushed back completely into the belly or it could be nonreducible(incarcerated hernia) in which case the fat is stuck and cannot be pushed back.

Treatment for an epigastric hernia is necessary if the epigastric hernia is causing symptoms. Surgery is the only effective treatment for epigastric hernias.  All epigastric hernia repairs need to be performed in an operating room with the person asleep under an anesthetic. When the hernias are small, around 1 cm in size or less , they can be fixed with stitches alone to pull the muscle lining together and close the hernia defect or hole.  This can be performed through a small incision directly over the hernia.  When hernias are larger they require repair using some form of surgical cloth or mesh.  We performed these types of repairs using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic surgery.  This involves making 3 tiny incisions at the side of the belly and inserting a lighted scope and long instruments through the tiny incisions.  Either using laparoscopy or robotic surgery the hernia is closed with stitches and then surgical mesh is placed underneath the repair to prevent a recurrence.

Recovery after epigastric hernia repair is usually straightforward with soreness lasting for a few days followed by a gradual return to full normal activity.  After repair of epigastric hernias, it is very unlikely that the hernia will ever come back

December 24, 2021
Surgery Group LA
Thyroid Nodules: Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid Nodules

A Thyroid Nodule is a solid or fluid-filled lump that forms within the thyroid gland, a hormone gland that is wrapped around your neck under the Adam’s apple.

Symptoms

While most thyroid nodules are small and go away with time if you have any of these symptoms it may be time to speak with a doctor for testing.

For cases of an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism  you may suffer from: 

  • Feeling cold all the time
  • Memory problems or trouble concentrating
  • Depression and fatigue

For cases of an overactive thyroid  or hyperthyroidism you may suffer from: 

  • Sudden weight loss, even if your appetite has increased or is normal
  • Pounding heartbeat, tremors
  • Muscle weakness

Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid nodules are often discovered during a routine physical exam. Your doctor might discover a growth or swelling around your neck and perform further imaging tests. These are performed in order to get a better idea of the size of nodules, assess whether you are suffering from hypo or hyperthyroidism, as well as determine if the growth may be cancerous.

These tests include:

  • Hormone Test – Your doctor will perform a blood test in order to test your thyroid hormone levels and see if your thyroid is performing properly
  • Antibody Test – Depending on your blood work,  your doctor may perform an antibody test in order to rule out Hashimoto’s or Graves disease, a thyroid condition linked to an autoimmune disorder
  • Ultrasound of the thyroid – A ultrasound uses sound waves in order to create an image of your thyroid, which helps your doctor reveal the size of the thyroid and nodules affecting the thyroid
  • Radioactive iodine uptake test – Your doctor may prescribe this test in order to understand your thyroid function. They will inject you with a small amount of radioactive iodine and scan your thyroid gland in order to see how your thyroid absorbs it 
  • Biopsy – Your doctor may perform a microscopic biopsy of your neck tissue cells in order to rule out the possibility of a cancerous growth causing your condition

Treatment

Depending on the size of the nodules, severity of symptoms, and causes of the thyroid nodules, your doctor may perform any of these treatment options. 

  • Watchful waiting – In most cases, thyroid nodules are small, noncancerous, and have little chance of growing. In these cases, your doctor may advise no treatment but will prescribe a careful observation schedule with regularly timed testing intervals. If the thyroid has caused new growth or causing new symptoms report it to your doctor immediately
  • Medications – Underactive thyroids (Hypothyroidism) will often be treated with hormone supplements like levothyroxine (Levoxyl), while overactive thyroids (Hyperthyroidism) will be treated with drugs like methimazole (Tapazole) which may reduce the size of the goiter.
  • Surgery – If your thyroid is affecting your ability to breath or swallow, or is connected with thyroid cancer, you may need surgery in the form of a total or partial thyroidectomy. If surgery is performed, you will often need to take regular hormone supplements in order to replace the hormones your thyroid would usually produce

However, in most cases, thyroid nodules do not need treatments and can be managed with aspirin, and a diet that focuses on increasing supplies of iodine in the form of:

  • Seaweed
  • Saltwater fish such as salmon and tuna
  • Soy and dairy products

If you have any concerns regarding your thyroid, speak to a medical professional today.

December 15, 2021
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About Surgery Group LA

Surgery Group LA is a team of professional and board-licensed surgeons, who specialize of their respective fields. The institution’s project to offer sufferers with advanced and complete surgical care.

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Los Angeles, CA 90048
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