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Be sure to visit HDGC…Now What?
You, or someone close to you has been diagnosed with HDGC. Now what? The search is on, for information, for support, for encouragement.
We are committed to developing this network, a valuable source of credible and useful information. Join our community of support for all of those touched by HDGC or other types of stomach cancer. Your participation can be as little or as much as you desire. You decide. Read the rest of this entry »
“You have doctors you’ve never met, but who are absolutely essential to your care. Pathologists are in the background, but are key to diagnosis, treatment and care,” says Kent B. Lewandrowski, MD, associate chief of Pathology and director of clinical services for the Pathology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital.
I personally discovered the critical nature of pathology in the treatment of HDGC while researching the topic after testing positive for the CDH1 gene mutation that causes HDGC. While interviewing a prospective surgeon I asked “Who will be analyzing my stomach, who is the pathologist?” This is how I first learned of Dr. Gregory Lauwers, his expertise with gastric cancer, his experience with HDGC patients, and more about the extensive and time consuming analysis that would be performed on my stomach following its removal. I met with Dr. Lauwers, approximately sixteen days following my surgery, to get my pathology results first hand and learn more about the process. My stomach remains, in Boston, in wax blocks, in 170 sections, in a drawer, for all of eternity. Read more about the importance of surgical pathology.
Pay Attention to the Pathologist Behind the Curtain, by Cathryn Delude
Massachusetts General Hospital, Cancer Center
Synergy, Winter/Spring 2009
Related Article: Choosing a Surgeon: Ten questions to ask
Prophylactic Total Gastrectomy (Preventive Complete Removal of Stomach)
Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) is the type of gastric cancer caused by a mutation in the CDH1 gene. Because it is nearly impossible to detect at an early stage, the recommended procedure to prevent the development of this cancer in CDH1 gene mutation carriers is prophylactic total gastrectomy. The reconstruction is referred to as a Roux-en-y.
The Surgery
The diagrams below show the anatomy before and after reconstruction. Read the rest of this entry »
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Lorraine Ennis wrote on the wire of the group Lobular Breast Cancer 1 day, 21 hours ago
Hi Nina……..great to see you here when we live only minutes apart and can’t seem to get together!!Just to let everyone know, when Nina said “Thanks Marge” she is referring to my sister who has spend a great deal of time, energy and efforts in educating our family about this gene…….if it wasn’t for her, [...]
J Wielgoszinski updated the “Basic” information on their profile 1 week, 1 day ago
J Wielgoszinski updated the “Cancer Profile” information on their profile 1 week, 1 day ago
J Wielgoszinski updated the “Bio” information on their profile 1 week, 1 day ago
Karen Chelcun Schreiber wrote a new blog post: Scientific Advisory Board 1 week, 1 day ago
Scientific Advisory Board members are highly accomplished professionals with medical and/or research background, who provide expert and comprehensive perspectives as well as guidance to No Stomach For Cancer, Inc. with regard to technical, medical, and research related topics. The Board provides knowledge and support that are critical in furthering our Mission.
Daniel C. Chung, MD
Clinical Chief, [...]
Nina healey wrote on the wire of the group Lobular Breast Cancer 1 week, 6 days ago
I am new to this group. I am actually a cousin of Lorraine Ennis. In March 2007, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma in my right breast. I had a mastectomy in March, during which the dr checked the lymph nodes by removing the main node and checked it while I [...]
Nina healey joined the group Lobular Breast Cancer 1 week, 6 days ago
