What is a nephrectomy? 8 things to know about kidney removal surgery
A nephrectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the kidney. It is most often used to treat kidney cancer.
At UT MD Anderson, we perform about 400 kidney surgeries every year, including nephrectomies. Here, I’ll explain more about nephrectomies, including the different types, when we use each and what to expect while you recover.
Why would I need a nephrectomy?The most common reason for a nephrectomy is to treat kidney...
3 ways cancer survivors can stay healthy this summer
Summertime can be exciting. Think: trips to the beach, backyard barbecues and baseball games. But the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can be harmful...
What is trauma-informed care?
Most people will experience at least one traumatic event during their lifetime. That means some of the patients we serve have already faced...
3-time skull base tumor survivor: ‘I wish I’d started treatment at UT MD Anderson’
My first experience with cancer was in December 2007, when I received an olfactory neuroblastoma diagnosis after noticing a blockage in my nose. I was treated successfully for it near my home in Kansas with a combination of surgery and chemoradiation.
Eleven years later, I developed a secondary cancer in that same area called radiation-associated osteosarcoma. This time, the cancer was in the bones around my left eye and sinuses...
Should you have your fallopian tubes removed to reduce your ovarian cancer risk?
A woman could have her fallopian tubes removed for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s necessary to treat an ectopic pregnancy or to resolve an...
How to cope with insomnia during cancer treatment
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep. It’s common in the general population, but it can also affect...
Finding the right therapist for you: 3 tips from our experts
If you’ve been struggling with depression, anxiety or stress, you may already know that you need a professional to help you cope with your...
Swollen collar bone (supraclavicular) lymph nodes: 4 things to know
You may already be aware that swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of cancer. But did you also know that where they arise on the body can sometimes...
Elastography 101: How this test helps diagnose liver disease
Elastography is an imaging test to check the elasticity of tissue in your body. Stiffness in your tissue is often a sign of disease. Elastography...
Metastatic melanoma caregiver, employee encourages blood donation
When Alizabeth Johnson first donated blood in 2013, she was a student at Victory High School in Aldine Independent School District. Her school...