By Thomas N. Trevett, M.D., Larry Matsumoto, M.D. and Michael Belfort, MBBCH, M.D., Ph.D. Advances in technology now allow the early diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and conditions that were previously only apparent in late gestation or after birth. High-resolution ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two specific technologies that enable the ... Continue Reading
The Changing World of Hysteroscopy
By Carla Roberts, M.D., Ph.D. Hysteroscopy is the inspection of the uterine cavity by endoscopy with access through the cervix. It allows for the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology and serves as a method for surgical intervention, also called operative hysteroscopy. Although the first reported uterine endoscopy was in 1869, the modern-day hysteroscopy did not become ... Continue Reading
Sports Cardiology & Women’s Heart Health
By Jonathan Kim, M.D. Case #1: A 55-year-old female triathlete self-refers herself to your clinic complaining of exertional dyspnea on exertion. She has been a high-level recreational endurance athlete for the last 25 years, competing in 25 marathons and 8 Ironman triathlons. At baseline, she runs 40 miles per week when not training for competition. She states that for the ... Continue Reading
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
By David W. Markham, M.D., MSc A 29-year-old woman presents two weeks after delivery of her second child complaining of lower extremity edema and dyspnea on exertion. She had mild dyspnea at the end of her first pregnancy two years ago, but she has had an uneventful second pregnancy. She has no other medical problems. The patient has a faint third heart sound (S3) on cardiac ... Continue Reading
Ovarian Cancer In The Future Perfect Tense
NOTES FROM AN INSIDER By Benedict B. Benigno, M.D. Ovarian cancer is an avaricious tumor, and its domain is nothing less than the entire abdominal cavity. It can extend from the deepest part of the pelvis up to the diaphragm and to the right and left of the colon and everything in between. It can appear after a few weeks of the mildest symptoms, and by then it has already ... Continue Reading
Gynecology and Obstetrics
By Helen K. Kelley From ATLANTA Medicine, 2014, Vol. 85, No.2 Through research and minimally invasive testing and surgical techniques, Atlanta physicians are making a difference for patients with high-risk pregnancies, gynecological cancers and more. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Moves Toward Becoming Standard of Care Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is used to ... Continue Reading
Breast Cancer Update
By Colleen Austin, M.D. and Lynn Baxter, M.D. From ATLANTA Medicine, 2012, Women's Health, Vol. 83, No. 1 The diagnosis and management of breast cancer has evolved dramatically since the declaration of the War On Cancer 40 years ago and especially during the past decade. In addition to the developments in diagnosis and treatment, there has been a major paradigm shift in ... Continue Reading
In Terms of Vascular Age, 50 May Really Be the New 60 for Women
By Kimberly P. Champney, M.D., MSCR From ATLANTA Medicine, 2012, Women's Health, Vol. 83, No. 1 National public awareness campaigns for heart disease in women from the American Heart Association and other organizations have seen initial success. Between 1997 and 2006, the number of women recognizing that the leading cause of death among women is heart disease increased ... Continue Reading
HPV Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Genital Diseases in Young Women
A five-year, multi-site international study has shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations given to adolescents and young women decrease the number of abnormal Pap smears, biopsies and cases of genital warts. Since some of these genital abnormalities are identified as precursors to cancer, it is anticipated that these findings will eventually translate into lower ... Continue Reading
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion
September 2008 Patients in the advanced stages of ovarian cancer have new hope in a technique now offered at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. The hospital has expanded its cancer care program with the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC). Until recently, treatment options for patients with advanced cancer of the ovary included surgery and ... Continue Reading
FDA Clears Breast Cancer Specific Molecular Prognostic Test
March 2007 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared for marketing a test that determines the likelihood of breast cancer returning within five to 10 years after a woman's initial cancer. It is the first cleared molecular test that profiles genetic activity. The MammaPrint test uses the latest in molecular technology to predict whether existing cancer will ... Continue Reading
