Cancer and Anesthesia: In for a Penny, In for a Pound

Cancer and Anesthesia: In for a Penny, In for a Pound

Being told you have cancer is frightening and a common reaction is to want the cancer excised as quickly as possible. Indeed, this is the way most solid tumors are treated. Cancers of the blood like leukemia or lymphoma are different and can’t be “cut out.” But for solid tumors like tumors of the breast, large intestine, or prostate gland . . .

More Stuff to Know Before You Have Your Operation: Venous Thromboembolism and the Grim Reaper

More Stuff to Know Before You Have Your Operation: Venous Thromboembolism and the Grim Reaper

This article is about something called venous thromboembolism or VTE. To start with and to help you, the reader, better understand what I'm talking about and why it's important, let's start with a story that at first glance has nothing to do with surgery. All the major details of this story are true. The daughter of a nice lady from Georgia and the daughter's boyfriend leave on a two-week trip to Australia. . . .

So You’re Having Major Surgery . . . Be Sure You Know Your Alphabet

So You’re Having Major Surgery . . . Be Sure You Know Your Alphabet

So you're having surgery. Join the club! Every year 35 million Americans have surgery and the costs make up a significant portion of the 3 trillion dollars our nation drops on health care — certainly not chump change! And what do pretty much all of the other 34,999,999 souls, young and old, have in common with you?