Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Management
What Is HCC? Primary liver cancer arising from hepatocytes, often in cirrhotic livers. Why Do I Need Evaluation/Treatment? You may have elevated AFP, liver lesions on imaging, or chronic liver disease. How Should I Prepare? Imaging: Multiphasic CT/MRI; fast 4–6 hours for CT. Laboratory: AFP, liver panel, coagulation. What Happens During Treatment? Resection: Partial hepatectomy […]
Small Bowel Cancer Management
What Is Small Bowel Cancer? A rare malignancy of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum). Why Do I Need Evaluation/Treatment? Symptoms include: Abdominal pain or obstruction Gastrointestinal bleeding Weight loss How Should I Prepare? Imaging: CT/MR enterography; no special prep for CT. Endoscopy: Double-balloon enteroscopy prep similar to colonoscopy. What Happens During Diagnosis & Treatment? […]
Colorectal Cancer Management
What Is Colorectal Cancer? Cancer arising from the lining of the colon or rectum, often starting as non-cancerous polyps. Why Do I Need Evaluation/Treatment? You may have: Blood in stool or change in bowel habits Unexplained weight loss or fatigue Family history of colorectal cancer How Should I Prepare? Bowel Prep: Clear-liquid diet 1–2 days […]
Hemochromatosis Management
What Is Hemochromatosis? A genetic disorder causing iron overload in liver, heart, and pancreas. Why Do I Need Treatment? To prevent cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, and arthritis. How Should I Prepare? Blood tests: serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, genetic testing. MRI to quantify liver iron. What Happens During Treatment? Phlebotomy: weekly removal of 500 mL blood until […]
Wilson Disease
What Is Wilson Disease? A genetic disorder of copper metabolism causing copper accumulation in liver and brain. Why Do I Need Treatment? To prevent liver failure, neurologic damage, and psychiatric symptoms. How Should I Prepare? Blood tests: ceruloplasmin, copper level; 24-hour urinary copper. Eye exam: check for Kayser-Fleischer rings. What Happens During Treatment? Copper chelation: […]
Pediatric Gut Issues
Why Evaluate Children’s Gut Health? Children can present with distinct GI problems affecting growth and development. Common Causes Infections: rotavirus, norovirus, bacterial enteritis Inflammatory: pediatric IBD (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis) Allergies: cow’s milk protein intolerance, eosinophilic esophagitis Functional: infantile colic, functional constipation, IBS Malabsorption: celiac disease, lactase deficiency Anatomic: pyloric stenosis, malrotation How Should I Prepare? […]
Pregnancy & Liver Disease Management
Why Special Care? Pregnancy can unmask or worsen liver conditions and certain therapies must be adapted for fetal safety. Common Conditions Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) Exacerbation of viral hepatitis or autoimmune liver disease How Should I Prepare? Early prenatal care with liver-panel blood tests. Review medication safety. What […]
Hepatitis E Management
What Is Hepatitis E? An acute viral hepatitis transmitted via contaminated water or zoonotic sources; usually self-limited. Why Do I Need Evaluation? You may have acute HEV if you develop: Jaundice, fatigue, nausea Recent travel to endemic areas or undercooked meat consumption How Should I Prepare? Blood tests: HEV IgM antibodies, liver panel. No imaging […]
Hepatitis D Management
What Is Hepatitis D? A defective virus requiring concurrent hepatitis B infection to replicate, leading to more aggressive liver disease. Why Do I Need Evaluation? Test if you have chronic HBV and: Worsening liver enzymes Rapid fibrosis progression How Should I Prepare? Blood tests: anti-HDV antibodies, HDV RNA, HBV panel. Imaging for fibrosis staging. What […]
Hepatitis C Management
What Is Hepatitis C? A viral infection of the liver caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) that often becomes chronic and can lead to cirrhosis or HCC. Why Do I Need Treatment? Treatment is recommended if you have: Positive HCV RNA on PCR Elevated liver enzymes or fibrosis on imaging/biopsy How Should I Prepare? Blood […]
