What is a total pelvic exenteration?
“Exenteration” refers to a complex surgery in which organs, bones and other structures are removed from the pelvis in order to treat cancer. A pelvic exenteration might involve the bladder, rectum, anus and/or sacrum (tailbone), as well as the prostate gland in men and the vagina and/or uterus in women.
While this procedure may sound fairly extreme, it is often the best — and only potentially curative — option for some...
How to deal with changes in your appearance due to cancer treatment
Cancer treatments have the potential to cause sudden, significant changes in your appearance.
Whether it’s a scar due to surgery...
One-of-a-kind titanium ribs give chondrosarcoma survivor his life back
Months after his chondrosarcoma treatment at another hospital, Chuck Lichtman developed a life-altering hernia. It made it hard to move, sleep...
Young adult thyroid cancer patient grateful for personalized care
After I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis at age 15, I began having my thyroid monitored regularly. In 2012, during a checkup in Tyler, Texas, an ultrasound showed two abnormal nodules.
I visited an endocrinologist, who told me not to worry. But in 2017, I started noticing changes in my voice. I had trouble swallowing, major fatigue and flu-like symptoms. I decided to seek a second opinion. That’s how I found out...
Prosthodontics lab technicians play key role in cancer treatment
Tucked away in our Head and Neck Center are three artists. But instead of choosing the perfect color for a painting, they select the perfect...
Breast reconstruction is body image miracle for U.S. Army Major
Sarah Rykowski is a chief prosecutor in the U.S. Army. In 2013, while stationed in Seoul, South Korea, she discovered a lump close to her...
Oral cancer survivor adjusts after facial reconstruction
While life isn’t exactly the same, Ronnie Queenan prefers to acknowledge that he’s still alive five years after undergoing surgery and radiation...
Breast reconstruction: 4 things to know
For many breast cancer patients, breast reconstruction is an important part of cancer treatment. The goal of breast reconstruction surgery...
Adenoid cystic carcinoma survivor: Be your own advocate
It took Eileen Brzoska almost eight years to get an accurate adenoid cystic carcinoma diagnosis. “I was misdiagnosed twice due to the rarity...
Surgical relief from lymphedema
When Paula Bell was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in her left breast in 2007, she had chemotherapy prior to undergoing a mastectomy...