Patient Education
Welcome to The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute's Patient Education Library!
We invite you to explore our comprehensive collection of patient education materials to help educate you about your cancer condition or blood disorder and treatments. Simply click on a topic to learn more! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call our staff at (310) 582-7900. We are here to help you.
Please keep in mind that this information is intended for educational purposes only. This information should not be used in place of an individual consultation, examination, or the medical advice of your doctor. This information should not be relied upon to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment.
-
3D & 4D Conformal Radiation Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Advances in radiation treatment for cancer are made all the time. There are various ways to treat cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of treatments may be used. Treatment depends on the type of cancer that you have and ... Read More
-
Anal Cancer
Anal cancer is an uncommon type of cancer. It results when cells in the anus grow abnormally and out of control. The anus is the opening at the end of the rectum through which waste products pass when you have ... Read More
-
Anemia
Anemia is a blood disorder characterized by a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells. Anemia results if not enough normal hemoglobin or red blood cells are produced, too many red blood cells are ... Read More
-
Astrocytoma - Common CNS Tumor
Astrocytoma is a common type of brain tumor. There are different types and severities of astrocytomas. They may or may not be cancerous. Astrocytomas may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments. ... Read More
-
Bexxar® - For Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Bexxar® is a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody treatment used to treat some types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic/immune system. Bexxar is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people that have received chemotherapy and/or Rituxan® ... Read More
-
Bile Duct Cancer
Bile duct cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the duct that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile duct cancer is relatively slow growing. Its main symptom is jaundice (yellowing of ... Read More
-
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer occurs when the cells in the bladder grow abnormally or out of control. The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown; however cigarette smoking and exposure to certain industrial chemicals appear to be risk factors. The most common ... Read More
-
Bone Cancer - Primary Bone Cancer
Primary bone cancer is cancer that originates in the bone. It is different than metastasized cancer, where cancer can spread to the bone from other parts of the body. Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms of primary bone cancer. ... Read More
-
Brachytherapy - Intracavity & Interstitial
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation treatment for cancer. It involves inserting a radioactive source, referred to as a “seed” into or near the cancer. Intracavity brachytherapy involves placing radioactive seeds inside a natural body cavity. Interstitial brachytherapy involves implanting ... Read More
-
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are a rare condition that results when cells grow abnormally and form a mass. Brain tumors may originate in the brain or spread from cancer in another part of the body. There are many different types of brain ... Read More
-
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a common type of cancer in women. It is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that begins from the cells in the breast. Breast cancer can rarely develop in men, as well. There are several different types of breast ... Read More
-
Breast Examination
Breast cancer is a common cancer in women. Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow abnormally or out of control. The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown. Breast examinations are used to help detect breast cancer as ... Read More
-
Carcinoid Cancer
Carcinoid cancer originates from certain hormone producing cells that line several organ systems. It most frequently occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. The exact cause of carcinoid cancer is unknown. It may or may not produce symptoms depending on where in ... Read More
-
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer occurs when the cells in the cervix grow abnormally or out of control. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. The exact cause of cervical cancer is unknown. Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a ... Read More
-
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy: An Overview Chemotherapy uses medication as a treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy is used to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells. If a cure is not possible, chemotherapy may be used to relieve the symptoms of cancer. Chemotherapy may ... Read More
-
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a common type of cancer. Colon cancer occurs when cells in the interior lining of the colon or large intestine grow abnormally and out of control. The exact cause of colon cancer is unknown. In most cases, ... Read More
-
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - Blood Clots in Deep Veins
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the deep large veins of the pelvis, legs, thighs, or arms. A DVT can reduce or block the flow of blood in a vein. It may dislodge and ... Read More
-
Digital Mammography with CAD
Digital mammography with computer-aided detection (CAD) is a state-of-the-art screening method for breast cancer. Traditional mammograms use film to record images. Digital mammography creates images on a high-resolution computer. The computerized images can be manipulated by a radiologist for a ... Read More
-
Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers include those that occur in the structures of the neck, throat, mouth, nose, and sinuses. The majority of head and neck cancers are caused by the use of tobacco products and alcohol. Head and neck cancer ... Read More
-
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is a type of external beam radiation therapy for cancer that adjusts for the location (or position) of a cancer tumor throughout treatment. Cancer tumors may move, change size, and change shape throughout the course of ... Read More
-
Liver Cancer
Primary liver cancer originates in the cells of the liver. Metastasized liver cancer occurs when cancer from other locations in the body spreads to the liver. Liver cancer that is identified and treated early is associated with the best outcomes. ... Read More
-
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung grow abnormally out of control and form tumors. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancer cases. Early stages of ... Read More
-
Mammosite 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
MammoSite® 5-day Targeted Radiation Therapy is an advanced high-dose partial breast irradiation method for breast cancer treatment. Commonly, MammoSite is used following lumpectomy as a breast conservation strategy. For some women, it is an alternative to mastectomy (removal of the ... Read More
-
Metastatic Brain Tumor
A metastatic brain tumor is cancer that has spread to the brain from a primary cancer site located somewhere else in the body. Cancer of the lungs, breast, or kidney, can spread through the bloodstream and to the brain. The focus ... Read More
-
Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy
Breast cancer is a common form of cancer that occurs in women, and occasionally in men. Self-breast examination, clinical breast examination, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are used to detect breast lumps or abnormalities. A biopsy is performed ... Read More
-
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
There are approximately 30 types of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system normally filters germs and infections from your body. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can occur in many places throughout the body ... Read More
-
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can occur on the lips, tongue, gums, or other tissues inside of the mouth. It most commonly occurs on the lower lip. Oral cancer is more common in people over the age of 40 years old. It occurs ... Read More
-
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer occurs when the cells of the ovaries grow abnormally or out of control. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. This type of cancer may or may not cause obvious symptoms before it has reached an ... Read More
-
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer results when the cells in the pancreas grow abnormally and out of control instead of dividing in an orderly manner. The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. Although the vast majority of pancreatic tumors are cancerous, some ... Read More
-
Pediatrics - Anemia
Anemia is a blood disorder. It is characterized by a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells. Anemia results if not enough normal hemoglobin or red blood cells are produced, too many red blood ... Read More
-
Pediatrics - Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. There are many types of skin cancers. They are classified as melanomas or non-melanomas. Melanomas begin in the melanocytes, the cells in skin that produce color. Melanoma ... Read More
-
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men. The prostate is a golf ball size gland found only in men. It is located underneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. In most cases, prostate cancer occurs ... Read More
-
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy: An Overview Radiation therapy is used mainly as treatment for many different types of cancer. Radiation therapy is used to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to damage the cancer cells and prevent ... Read More
-
Rectal Cancer
Rectal cancer is cancer that develops in the rectum. The rectum is the last six inches of the large intestine. Bleeding and a change in bowel patterns are common symptoms of rectal cancer. Most rectal cancers are treated with surgery ... Read More
-
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. There are many types of skin cancers. They are classified as melanomas or non-melanomas. Melanomas begin in the melanocytes, the cells in skin that produce color. Melanoma ... Read More
-
Skin Cancer - Melanoma
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It occurs when the melanocytes in the skin grow abnormally and out of control. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and a history of childhood sunburns contribute to the development ... Read More
-
Skin Cancer - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It occurs when the squamous cells in the skin grow abnormally and out of control. Exposure from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the most frequent cause ... Read More
-
Skin Cancer- Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It occurs when the basal cells in the skin grow abnormally and out of control. Exposure from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the most frequent cause of ... Read More
-
Skin Tags
Skin tags, medically termed acrochordons, are common harmless skin growths. They appear as rounded or tube-like structures that are attached to the skin by a thin stalk. Skin tags may be skin colored or darker. Skin tags commonly develop in skin ... Read More
-
Spinal Cord Tumors
Spinal cord tumors may originate in the spinal cord or result from the spread of cancer from another location in the body. Your spinal cord transmits sensory, movement, and reflex information between your brain and body. Spinal cord tumors need ... Read More
-
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Stereotactic breast biopsy is an important procedure for diagnosing breast cancer. It is a noninvasive method of obtaining a breast tissue sample for biopsy. A biopsy is an examination to determine if the sample is cancerous or not. Stereotactic breast ... Read More
-
Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) are both treatment methods of delivering radiation therapy to cancer tumors. SRS or SRT may be used instead of or along with surgery. SRS involves a single radiation treatment. SRT uses a series ... Read More
-
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is not a common type of cancer in the United States. Stomach cancer occurs more frequently in areas outside of the United States, with the highest rates occurring in Japan, China, Southern and Eastern Europe, South America, Central ... Read More
-
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is one of the least deadly types of cancer. It occurs when cells in the thyroid gland grow abnormally and out of control. Your thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck. There are several different ... Read More
-
Uterine Cancer - Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. It is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Treatment usually involves surgery followed by radiation, chemotherapy, hormone ... Read More
-
Zevalin® - For Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Zevalin® is a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy that is used to treat some types of non-Hodgkin’s B-Cell lymphoma. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic/immune system. Radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy may be used in cases when the lymphoma does not respond ... Read More
Copyright © - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com
This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.
