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<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Q2xr7oX6kY" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Dr. Ari Elman is a medical oncologist in the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He previously worked at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, PA, where he served as chief resident and as an academic hospitalist. Dr. Elman had his fellowship training in Hematology and Oncology at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center in Baltimore, and is board-certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine. <br> <br> On Wednesday, May 18, Dr. Ari Elman shared many interesting and informative points. As a medical oncologist and hematologist who works with six other physicians in his practice, all bring many different strengths to patient care. Here are the main takeaways from this informative conversation: </p> <ul> <li> A medical oncologist is part of the multidisciplinary care team at GBMC. Medical oncologists treat with medication (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.) and work closely with others, like surgeons and radiation oncologists, to provide a complete and individualized treatment plan for each patient. These discussions ensure each patient's unique medical history and cancer diagnosis are treated as such. Dr. Elman specializes in cancers of the urinary tract, such as kidney, bladder and prostate as well as head and neck. </li> <li> At GBMC, the course of treatment is determined based on a few criteria. The first step to treatment is a proper diagnosis. Once diagnosed and stage of cancer determined, the team factors in the patient's strength level to withstand treatment, which can include factors such as their age, physical capacity, etc. Dr. Elman explained why some patients receive only chemotherapy and some receive a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can target and effect the patient's entire body, while radiation (and surgery) only target one specific area of the patient's body. Sometimes, chemotherapy will be used in advance of radiation to make the tumor more sensitive to radiation treatment. </li> <li> Dr. Elman also shared that GBMC's Clinical Trials program is a benefit to both patients and doctors. The program currently runs about 50 clinical trials and is a great way for doctors to research new treatments. Patients can receive a treatment that might not be well known or fully approved yet, and they are contributing to the future of patient care by participating. </li> </ul> Clinical trials and a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care are just two of the hallmarks for the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC. If you wish to support the program and the resources we offer at no charge to patients, please consider <a href="https://www.classy.org/give/288692/#!/donation/checkout">a donation to the Cancer Institute.</a>
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<p class="article-body"> About one in 10 Americans are affected by diabetes, and the vast majority (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html">90-95% according to the CDC</a>) have type 2 diabetes. Priya S. Little, MD, Family Medicine Physician with GBMC Health Partners Primary Care—Jonestown, explains that both lifestyle choices and genetic components can play a role in a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. <br> <br> “People who have a family history of diabetes, are overweight or obese, consume a diet high in sugar, or women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, have a much higher risk of developing diabetes in their lifetime,” Dr. Little says. <br> <br> The easiest way to get ahead of a diagnosis, according to Dr. Little, is to have glucose levels screened during your annual physical exam. <br> <br> “If you don’t have a doctor, get a doctor,” she advises. “If you can catch it early, or in the pre-diabetes stage, it can be totally reversible with simple lifestyle changes. If you catch it early and start treatment, your chances of having complications from the disease are greatly reduced.” <br> <br> Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance of the cells, which causes blood sugar to rise and can lead to heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. Dr. Little emphasizes the importance of screening because symptoms of diabetes don’t become obvious until the disease has progressed significantly. Some of those symptoms include: </p> <ul> <li> Extreme thirst and a need to urinate frequently. </li> <li> Blurry vision (diabetic retinopathy affects the back of the eye). </li> <li> A tingling feeling in the feet. </li> <li> A dehydrated state characterized by dizziness and heart palpitations. </li> </ul> In terms of screening for diabetes, Dr. Little says, “Start with your annual exam, tell your doctor about your health history, assess your risk factors, and test as needed after that.” <br> <br> Treatments for diabetes vary, but most health professionals are trying to get away from prescribing insulin for type 2 diabetics. <br> <br> “A lot of people think you have to go on insulin immediately and inject yourself for the rest of your life, but these days that’s typically not the case,” Dr. Little says. “There are newer medications available that we’re recommending more frequently because they help with weight reduction and have a lot of cardiovascular benefits.” <br> <br> Dr. Little emphasizes that early diagnosis improves chances for a less invasive treatment plan. <br> <br> “Type 2 diabetes is a disease that’s really related to lifestyle,” she says. “I’ve had several patients who were on insulin at first and were able to get off it by changing their lifestyle.” <br> <br> Those changes usually include weight management through diet and exercise, something Dr. Little says no patient should have to navigate on their own. <br> <br> “Once a patient is diagnosed at GBMC, we stay on top of their treatment plan with monthly follow-ups. We make sure they’re able to see a nutritionist and address the whole picture of their health and continue to follow up until their blood sugars are stabilized and they’re comfortable with their new regimen,” she says. <br> <br> Dr. Little encourages anyone who might be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to get tested. She also advises patients to speak with their doctors about potential lifestyle changes that may lower the chance of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body">The number of thyroid cancer cases in the United States is on the rise, but Farzad Masroor, MD, head and neck surgeon at GBMC’s Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center, says that statistic doesn’t tell the whole truth. The American Cancer Society’s 2022 estimates for thyroid cancer cases in the U.S. show 11,860 new cases in men and 31,940 in women. </p><p class="article-body">“A lot of these cancers are being caught incidentally, meaning a small cancer in the thyroid gland is found on imaging tests done for other reasons, say for neck or chest pain. Most of these incidental cancers are small, slow growing, and may take many years to cause problems for the patient, if ever. The term for these cancers is microcarcinomas,” Dr. Masroor notes. </p><p class="article-body">Dr. Masroor explains that when this is the case, the cancer is at a very early stage and has an excellent prognosis. For patients with microcarcinomas under 55 years of age, their chance of dying from the cancer is less than 2% over 10 years. This is a welcome statistic, especially since thyroid cancer isn’t easily attributed to lifestyle or demographic risk factors. </p><p class="article-body">“Well-known risk factors for thyroid cancer are a family history of thyroid cancer or a history of receiving radiation to the neck. These are not common, and so for most patients there is nothing the patient has done that increased their chance of getting it. It’s just an unfortunate event for most patients,” Dr. Masroor says. “It does occur more commonly in women than in men, usually in the middle part of their lives.” </p><p class="article-body">The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the windpipe or trachea. Treatment for thyroid cancer varies depending on the individual patient as well as the size and spread of the cancer. Treatment often consists of removal of the entire thyroid gland or the side of the gland housing the tumor. </p><p class="article-body">“The first line of treatment is surgery for the most common types of thyroid cancer called differentiated thyroid cancer. It gives you the best chance of controlling and curing the cancer. Afterward, we sometimes use a special type of medicine called radioactive iodine (RAI). Chemotherapy and radiation are not routinely used but instead reserved for advanced cases after surgery,” Dr. Masroor says. </p><p class="article-body">The American Cancer Society also states recent studies have suggested people with very small tumors may choose to participate in “active surveillance” of the cancer, with routine ultrasounds, rather than have immediate surgery. </p><p class="article-body">While many thyroid cancers are discovered incidentally, Dr. Masroor explains there are some symptoms to note. He says if you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away. </p><p class="article-body">“There are three major areas affected by thyroid cancer: the windpipe, the swallowing tube (esophagus), and the nerve to the voice box,” he says. </p><p class="article-body">When a thyroid cancer pushes on any of those structures, it’s going to produce pressure, which can lead to trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or difficulty breathing. Dr. Masroor says sometimes patients just feel off. “They feel like something isn’t quite right. They have night sweats and an achy fullness in the neck,” he adds. </p><p class="article-body">Regardless of the severity of a cancer diagnosis, Dr. Masroor says getting treatment from a well-qualified team, like the one at GBMC, is incredibly important. </p><p class="article-body">Many patients are able to return home on the same day as their surgery and have a relatively easy recovery, which is not particularly painful and only requires over-the-counter medication for relief. </p><p class="article-body">“With a skilled and experienced surgeon and treatment team, most patients with this type of thyroid cancer can expect to be cured,” Dr. Masroor says.</p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I1JwywGcePY" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Opioid overdoses and deaths are still happening at alarming rates throughout Maryland and the entire country. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jdjcuIpHW_s" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> What's the healthiest options to have at the Baltimore ballpark this year? Jana Wolff, RDN, LDN answers your questions. </p>
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<p class="article-body"> Some of the most common cancers occur in the 25-foot pathway called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The organs that facilitate nutrient absorption—from the esophagus to the stomach to the colon—are all part of the GI tract, and all are at risk for developing cancer. <br> <br> Gang Chen, MD, PhD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist in the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC HealthCare, says, “GI cancers are the third most common cancer types for men and the second most common for women.” <br> <br> The most common types of GI cancers are: </p> <ul> <li> Esophageal cancer </li> <li> Gastric (stomach) cancer </li> <li> Colorectal cancer </li> <li> Pancreatic cancer </li> <li> Liver cancer </li> </ul> While family history and genetics can play a role in some patients’ chances of developing these types of cancers, lifestyle is usually a much bigger factor when it comes to risk level. <br> <br> “Just like other cancer types, smoking, drinking, and lack of physical activity are all linked to GI cancers,” Dr. Chen says. “Only 25% of colon cancer cases are associated with family history; 75% of diagnoses don’t have any family history.” <br> <br> To potentially lower risk, Dr. Chen recommends modifying behaviors to preserve your overall health. <br> <br> “We recommend regular exercise, avoiding excessive red meat consumption and alcohol, and staying away from smoking,” he says. Regardless of inherent risk, there is one thing everyone can do to improve the chances of catching cancer early, especially when it comes to colorectal cancer: regular screenings. <br> <br> “For colon cancer, the recommended screening age is 40 or 45, depending on family history,” Dr. Chen explains. “If we pick up a tumor or polyps at an early stage, we can usually perform surgery and stop the cancer before it spreads. It can save your life.” <br> <br> According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 62% of patients eligible for screening have had a colonoscopy. Unfortunately, there is currently no screening test to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer, which makes living a healthy lifestyle even more important, Dr. Chen says. <br> <br> Treatment for the different GI cancers varies based on many factors. <br> <br> “At GBMC, we tailor the treatment for the individual,” Dr. Chen says. “The same diagnosis can have very different treatment plans depending on the tumor location, tumor stage, and size. We characterize the tumor to the molecular level.” <br> <br> Dr. Chen says the team at the Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC does more than just treat the cancer; they treat the whole patient. <br> <br> “We see more cancer patients than any other community hospital in Maryland,” he says. “Between support services and integrative medicine, we factor in every aspect of a patient’s life when it comes to treatment, even providing help for their families in dealing with the diagnosis.” <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
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<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I-8ExKnSz-U" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> GBMC's Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP) offers counseling, support, and education to patients both before and after weight loss surgery. </p>
<p class="article-body"> Bariatric surgeons at GBMC have a common purpose when describing why they chose to work in bariatrics: helping people achieve sustainable weight loss in the most effective way possible. Shauna Costinett, MD, says, “Obesity permeates every aspect of a patient’s life. When people don’t feel good in their bodies, they don’t feel good in their lives.” <br> <br> Emily Watters, MD, agrees, “Obesity affects how you’re able to move around, play with your kids, or walk from your car to the grocery store, and it’s associated with more than 40 different types of illnesses.” <br> <br> This desire to help improve patients’ quality of life led Drs. Costinett and Watters to the Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP) at GBMC HealthCare, where they regularly perform sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgeries, two of the most common weight loss surgeries implemented nationwide. <br> <br> In a sleeve gastrectomy, part of the stomach is separated and removed from the body. The remaining section of the stomach is formed into a tubelike structure, which cannot hold as much food. Gastric bypass surgery shrinks the size of your stomach, so you can't eat as much as you could before the surgery. The surgeon will also re-route, or bypass, part of your digestive system so you don't absorb as much food. <br> <br> Dr. Costinett says these are some of the most rewarding surgeries she does. For Dr. Watters, the choice to pursue a career in bariatric surgery came from a love of solving a problem as well as the continued communication with each patient after the procedure. <br> <br> “Surgery is a very satisfying profession. A problem comes in, surgery is performed, a problem is gone,” Dr. Watters says. “With bariatric surgery, there’s also a long-term relationship with the patient because it’s so life-changing.” <br> <br> Both doctors emphasize surgery is not the solution to long-term weight loss; rather it’s a tool in the toolkit for sustainability. COMP is key to helping patients keep the weight off for good. <br> <br> “We have a Facebook group full of amazing, supportive patients and staff who are there to offer advice. We have a great nutritionist who meets with patients once a month, and we partner with a personal trainer who’s been through surgery herself,” Dr. Watters says. <br> <br> “The Facebook support group is like a family that patients can turn to when things are getting hard or stressful,” Dr. Costinett adds. “Our clinical team is really active in the group, making sure patients are able to get in touch with us and get continued support after the surgery.” <br> <br> They encourage anyone who’s considering weight loss surgery to reach out to the COMP team at GBMC. <br> <br> Dr. Watters explains, “We [the surgeons] hold regular seminars to go over all the general information regarding weight loss surgery before meeting with patients one on one.” <br> <br> Dr. Costinett says scheduling a consultation with a surgeon should be viewed as an open conversation focused on gathering information. <br> <br> “People can be nervous to reach out, but you’re not signing a contract. We’re having a conversation. We’re here to explain why surgery is the most effective treatment we can offer patients in the disease of obesity, and let the patients decide if it's right for them,” Dr. Costinett says. <br> <br> Both women agree that coming to work at GBMC was an easy decision because of the collaboration between team members and dedication to patient care. <br> <br> “We have a great reputation as being a place that people want to stay and receive treatment,” Dr. Costinett says. “It’s a very special place where people love their jobs and love taking care of patients.” </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
