Category Archives: Shu Procedure Clinic

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

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Because May is skin cancer awareness month, it’s time to learn more about this disease. Skin cancer occurs when skills cells grow abnormally, which is usually caused by sun exposure. Skin cancer can develop on any part of the body but is more likely to appear on the scalp, neck, chest, face, arms and legs.

There are certain factors that can increase your chances of developing skin cancer including excessive sun exposure, family history of skin cancer, fair skin, history of sunburns and moles. It is important to get checkups regularly to find out if you have skin cancer.

Skin cancer is diagnosed through a skin biopsy or skin examination by your doctor. With a skin biopsy, a sample of an odd looking mole is tested to see if cancer cells exist. The three types of skin cancer include melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma is considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

If skin cancer is found, you will have to get treatment right away to get rid of it. There are several different treatment options available including freezing, excisional surgery, laser therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and biological therapy. The best treatment option for you depends on the size, type and location of the skin lesion.

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from the sun. It is best to completely stay out of the sun in the early afternoon when ultraviolet rays are the harshest. When you do go out in the sun, make sure to wear sunscreen. Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every couple of hours if you plan on being outside for awhile. You can also wear protective clothing to protect your skin like dark clothes, broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Also, stay away from tanning beds. Even though you are in them for a short period of time, they are just as dangerous for your skin.

Biopsies

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A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue or fluid from specific areas of concern on the body. These samples are used for diagnostic purposes, such as determining the presence of breast or skin cancer. The samples are then sent to a laboratory for examination by a pathologist. There are several biopsy methods that are used at the Procedure Clinic. These methods are excisional, fine needle, incisional, punch, and shaving.

Excisional
An excisional biopsy is a procedure that removes all or a majority of any abnormal area, such as a mass or lump. The procedure is performed using local anesthesia and following the removal, the area is sutured closed. Side-effects may include bleeding, infection or bruising.

Fine Needle Biopsy
Fine needle biopsies are a common way to remove fluid or tissue from areas of concern. The sample is collected by way of an extremely thin needle that is attached to a syringe. The needle is inserted into the lump and fluid is pulled into the syringe. This type of biopsy may not accurately assess the presence of cancer and further testing is often necessary. Side-effects may include bruising around the insertion area.

Incisional Biopsy
An incisional biopsy is one in which the surgeon cuts into a mass or lesion and removes only a small portion for analysis. The procedure is performed with local anesthesia and the site must be closed with sutures. In terms of complications, there is a some bleeding, pain, infection or bruising, however these risks are minimal.

Punch Biopsy
When there are abnormal lesions or growths on the skin, a punch biopsy is often used to determine the presence of cancer. An instrument is used to remove a cylinder-shaped core of skin and tissue directly from the area of concern. Sutures are used to close up the resulting wound. Potential complications include bleeding, bruising or infection.

Shaving Biopsy
Shaving biopsies are also a type of skin biopsy. This biopsy method removes the growth from the body, either entirely or in part, but does not remove any tissue from beneath the skin. To perform the procedure, local anesthesia is used and the skin is scraped with a blade or a razor. Potential side-effects are redness and scabbing.

Non-Scalpel Vasectomy

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What is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that closes off the vas deferens in the scrotum, effectively sealing off the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles out. Known casually as ‘tube tying,’ a vasectomy is intended to render a man sterile.

What’s a Non-Scalpel Vasectomy?

A non-scalpel, or non-needle non-scalpel vasectomy, is a type of vasectomy procedure where there is virtually no intensive surgery involved. Anesthesia is administered by a jet spray, without any needle puncture. A single needle is inserted into the scrotum, but the vas deferens are pulled through that hole and all surgical interaction takes place outside of the scrotum. No scalpel is necessary. The process is reversible, but with no guarantee. While the vasectomy itself is typically nearly 100% effective, the reversal process is only 60%.

Benefits of a Non-Scalpel Vasectomy

Non-scalpel vasectomies are simple procedures. Because it requires no scalpel and only a small puncture, the wound will heal quickly and naturally. No incision is made, and there is no unsightly scarring. There is a much lower chance of infection. Additionally, the procedure heals easily, meaning a patient can get back to work within a few days and can resume sexual activity after two weeks. The entire process will usually take under an hour, including paperwork. The vasectomy will not affect a patient’s sexual enjoyment negatively. There is virtually no risk of complications or cancer as a result of the procedure.

Potential Risks

While complications are rare, some may occur. Possible complications include bleeding that appears like bruising, infection, chronic ache or temporary acute pain, psychological sexual difficulties, or sperm granulomas. All of these can be treated in some form or another should they occur.

Psychological issues can be addressed before and after the procedure. Men have an understandable fear of genital surgery. Doctors are capable of answering any question the patient may have. The procedure is nearly 100% effective with virtually no risk of complications, and within a month the man will be back to peak performance in every way. After three months testing is required to ensure sterility.

The Importance of Having a Colonoscopy

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Sometime between the ages of 35 and 50, your doctor may recommend that you have a colonoscopy. Having this type of procedure performed at this age is an important part of preventing, diagnosing and treating colon cancer, which tends to strike in an older age group. Colon cancer is a life threatening illness. A colonoscopy will allow the doctor to see directly into the colon and parts of the intestine, so that polyps and tumors can be diagnosed and treated early.

A narrow tube with a lighted camera on the end is inserted into the colon. This is usually done under conscious sedation, so that the patient is comfortable and can be monitored by the doctor. Dietary restrictions need to be followed prior to the procedure so that the colon is clean and easy to see. The doctor may prescribe a laxative and will ask you to drink only clear liquids.

Polyps that are detected need to be removed, because it is very difficult for doctors to differentiate between cancerous and benign tumors. Bowel inflammatory disease and gastrointestinal hemorrhages can be detected with a colonoscopy as well. Prior to this however, doctors will biopsy anything they find suspicious. Certain symptoms will lead a doctor to recommend the test outside of normal preventative testing. A family history of colon cancer may trigger your doctor to prescribe the test. Abdominal pain and the appearance of blood in the stool can be the signs of a serious problem as well; a colonoscopy can quickly let the doctor know if further screening and treatment is needed.

There are complications from a colonoscopy including excessive bleeding or the potential for infection, so following doctor’s orders after the procedure is always recommended. By having the colonoscopy and detecting any problems early, serious or even fatal illnesses can be treated early or prevented all together.

Shu Procedure Clinic is Dedicated to Providing High Quality Patient Care

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One Stop Procedure Clinic’s mission is to provide procedure-oriented one stop care using state of the art technology. By providing one stop service, we can offer our patients lower costs and more efficient use of their precious time, all the while maintaining the highest levels of quality. We seek to be more attentive and responsive to the needs and values of our patients. Our professional goal is to help patients reach their fullest health potential in the most efficient way.