The esophagus is a tube starting at the throat and ending at the stomach. Food and liquid that is swallowed travels through this tube to get to the stomach. Cancer that starts in this tube is called esophageal cancer, which was diagnosed in more...
A somatostatinoma is a rare endocrine tumor usually found on the pancreas or small intestine. When the tumor is on the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, it usually means that the person has von Recklinghausen's disease, also known...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 78,561 Americans were diagnosed with esophageal cancer from 1999 to 2004. This type of cancer is in the top 10 causes of cancer death in the country. There are two main types...
If ever your doctor suspects gallstones either while checking for other conditions or when you complain, he is likely to do an ultrasound exam--the most effective test for gallstones. The ultrasound technician moves a hand-held device over the...
Esophagus and stomach cancer often go hand in hand because the stomach and the esophagus are located close together and connected by tissue and muscle. When a cancer is found in either location, often the whole area has to be treated. Receiving a...
Patients with gastrinoma should consult with various medical professionals when attempting to identify an individually appropriate treatment protocol. The family physician is the first member of this vital team. Other team members may include a...
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer originating in the lining of internal organs called the mesothelium. It is a rare cancer, and there are three types: pleural mesothelioma, where the cancer is in the lining of the lungs; peritoneal mesothelioma,...
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ responsible for the production of several digestive enzymes and the hormone insulin. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and at the beginning of the small intestine, helping to digest...
Gastric cancer can occur in the stomach lining, upper part of the stomach, lower part of the stomach or middle part of the stomach. Because this cancer can spread to lymph nodes and nearby organs, it is important that an early diagnosis is made....
Pancreatic cancer occurs when the cells that make up the pancreas grow abnormally and destroy nearby tissue and organs. The pancreas is a tube-like organ that is near the back of the abdomen. The pancreas’ main function is to create insulin...
According to "Clinically Oriented Anatomy Fifth Edition," the abdomen is divided by two imaginary perpendicular planes crossing through the umbilicus to form four abdominal quadrants: the right upper, or RUQ; left upper, or LUQ; right lower, or...
Calcium supplements cause gallstones. However, gallstones made of calcium are generally rare in adults. According to a 2007 article in the "Journal of Pediatric Surgery," gallstones made of calcium account for 5 to 30 percent of gallstones. The...
After a thorough history and complete physical exam, including checking the abdomen for tenderness and checking for jaundice in your skin or the whites of your eyes, your health care provider may order one or more tests to confirm a suspected...
A biopsy is a procedure used to obtain a piece of tissue for further examination. It is usually done to rule out the suspected diagnosis of cancer. The tissue is usually examined by a pathologist, who is a doctor with specialized training in...
The bile duct is a long tube-like structure that connects the liver to the intestine and transports bile. Learn about bile duct cancer including possible causes, and treatment options for bile duct cancer in this video.
Roundworms are popular parasites in the animal world and can have debilitating effects on humans. Learn more about roundworms in this medical video.
