At age 52, Rick Sterling did not have any symptoms of colorectal cancer but he did have a family history, so Mr. Sterling scheduled a colonoscopy. That screening resulted in a diagnosis of cancer and he was referred to board certified Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Erik Grossmann and his team at Columbia Surgical Associates. As of […]
Understanding Dialysis Access: FAQ
What is an arteriovenous fistula and why do I need it for dialysis? An arteriovenous (AV) fistula simply means a vein and an artery are connected to one another. It is formed, usually in your arm, when a vein and an artery are surgically sewn together to create a dialysis access. An AV Fistula is the best […]
Melanoma FAQ
What is melanoma and what causes it? Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, which are cells that produce melanin, the pigment that is primarily responsible for giving skin its color. What are the signs of melanoma, and what do I do if I find a funny spot or mole? The first sign of melanoma is usually […]
Breast Cancer FAQ
Why talk about breast cancer? Unlike so many conditions, breast cancer can be present with very few actual signs or symptoms yet 1 of 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed in her lifetime. These two factors make awareness so critically important. It is very important for you to understand signs and symptoms as […]
Gallbladder Disease FAQ
What are the symptoms of gallbladder disease? Gallbladder disease symptoms can be similar to other medical conditions, so it’s important to have the proper screening and test(s) for diagnosis and treatment. Here are some symptoms that are commonly associated with gallbladder disease: Pain: especially after eating particularly fatty foods. This pain usually occurs in the […]