Oncology

Surgical considerations in invasive breast cancer: A clinician's update

, Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS May 10, 2012

Breast cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach in which all clinicians should have a fundamental knowledge of the armamentarium of other team members.
 

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

, March 26, 2012

Patients who test positive for the BRCA1/2 mutations that cause breast and ovarian cancers have options when it comes to surveillance and prevention.
 

C-reactive protein: A clinically useful biomarker in renal cell carcinoma

, Jennifer DeLong, PA; Viraj A. Master, MD, PhD January 16, 2012

Biochemical markers of inflammation, specifically CRP, serve as adjuncts to TNM staging 
to help identify patients at increased risk for recurrence of kidney cancer.
 

Can I be screened for ovarian cancer?

September 30, 2011

This information can help PAs and patients understand ovarian cancer and its symptoms and risk factors and to determine who should be screened.
 

A rare pelvic neoplasm is discovered 
during a routine evaluation

, Kevin Cunningham, PA-C; Melanie Kim, PA-C January 10, 2011

Ultrasonography performed to check the position of an intrauterine device revealed an angiomyxoma, a benign but aggressive tumor.
 

Thymoma: An uncommon cause of persistent anterior wall chest pain

, October 18, 2010

Previously diagnosed as costochondritis, chest pain that persisted despite treatment prompted a search for an alternate diagnosis.
 

A cracking sensation is the onset of severe ankle pain

September 21, 2010

Persistent ankle pain leads to a stress fracture diagnosis, but the patient's history suggests that something else is going on.
 

Abnormal protein deposition causes symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue

September 13, 2010

Light chain amyloid deposition can occur in any organ but the brain, disrupting the tissue architecture and interfering with organ function.
 

BRCA gene testing in a woman with a family history of cancer

Terry D. Kober, PA-C; Miranda M. Collins, MEd, MPAS, PA-C August 16, 2010

The case of a woman at risk of breast cancer illustrates the importance of taking action; how a recent law protects all patients.
 

Rapidly growing abdominal tumor in a toddler

Holly L. Green, PA-C; Michael E. Rytting, MD; Charles S. Cox Jr, MD August 09, 2010

Worsening abdominal distention, intermittent vomiting, a palpable mass, and decreased activity signaled a life-threatening malignancy.
 

Cervical cancer: Updated screening guidelines

From CSAC, the Clinical and Scientific Affairs Council of the AAPA July 20, 2010

Key recommendations include age at initial screen, screening intervals, and discontinuation and the impact of the HPV vaccine.
 

Evolving purple lesions and nodules on the abdomen and forearm

July 19, 2010

An elderly man complains of plum-colored lesions, some of which had worsened and some of which had spontaneously regressed.
 

Worsening head pain and neurologic symptoms

May 24, 2010

The symptoms were concentrated in the patient's head and scalp, but the diagnosis involved a different and unexpected location.
 

What's new in breast oncology

April 16, 2010

Genetic profiling with the 21-gene RT-PCR assay improves predictions for risk of 10-year recurrence and response to chemotherapy.
 

A rare presentation of metastatic breast cancer in a woman with apparent cholangiocarcinoma

Holly L. Johnson, MPAS, PA-C? March 08, 2010

Jaundice and intermittent abdominal pain were the only clues to a primary breast cancer that manifested without the usual symptoms.
 

The role of human papillomavirus testing in cervical cancer screening

Lauren Morasse, MS, PA; Adi Davidov, MD; Mario R. Castellanos, MD November 02, 2009

HPV infection can progress to cervical cancer. Updated screening guidelines identify those at high risk for more serious disease.
 

Understanding the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancers

, October 06, 2009

As traditional risk factors decline, investigators are investigating other potential risk factors for head and neck cancers.
 

FAP: Recognizing the importance of family history and genetic testing

Mike Deeter, PA-C September 14, 2009

A young woman with a family history of abdominal scars presents with hematochezia, diffuse abdominal pain, and anemia.
 

Should this periocular lesion be biopsied?

September 09, 2009

Choosing the appropriate biopsy—and getting the patient to agree to it—are crucial for diagnosing a facial lesion.
 

An elusive tumor in a man who has evidence of prostate cancer metastasis

Brendan Patrick Boyer, PA-C; Martin James Boyer, DO August 10, 2009

Conventional imaging studies failed to locate the metastasis in a patient with an elevating PSA level. Scintigraphy revealed the tumor.
 
 

Carcinoma of unknown primary: Searching for the origin of metastases

Heather R. Carlson, MSPAP, PA-C August 03, 2009

Diagnostic tests and select imaging studies can help identify the potential, and often elusive, primary tumor.
 

Managing recurrent pleural effusions with an indwelling pleural catheter

Julie M. Schrader, MPAS, PA-C; Peter F. Ferson, MD May 26, 2009

Case studies describe an alternative to repeat thoracentesis for patients who are at risk of reaccumulation of fluid in the chest cavity.
 

Dyspnea, cough, and fever following chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma

Michele Taffaro-Neskey, PA-C May 22, 2009

A patient who was treated for Hodgkin disease develops obstructive/restrictive lung disease and a reduced ejection fraction.
 

Imaging focused on a tooth reveals an unusual mass

, Andrea Medel; Thomas Chiodo, DDS May 19, 2009

Facial pain and swelling attributed to an impacted wisdom tooth turn out to be signs of a life-threatening diagnosis.
 

Melanoma: Early detection saves lives

Michelle Lynn Heinan, EdD, PA-C May 14, 2009

All clinicians need to know these potential risk factors for melanoma and which physical examination findings indicate possible malignant disease.
 

The role of genetic assessment in determining a patient's disease risk

Michael A. Rackover, PA-C, MS; Doug Scott, MS May 12, 2009

New genetic testing may allow clinicians to lower patients' risk of disease and institute preventive therapy.
 

Ovarian cancer: The search for an accurate screening technique

Lindsay Anderson, PA-C, MPAS February 06, 2009

Few cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed early; however, new modalities promise earlier detection and a better prognosis.
 

RFA is an effective alternative to lobectomy for lung cancer

Scott cackler, PA-C; Ghulam Abbas, MD January 01, 2009

Newer techniques can be used to treat patients who are poor candidates for lobectomy.
 

Multiple myeloma: Vague symptoms can challenge diagnostic skills

November 01, 2008

PAs should include this disease in the differential diagnosis for patients who present with nonspecific symptoms such as bone pain, fatigue, and recurrent infections.
 

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