Doctor Column
Tumor Biomarkers and Angellina Jolie
May 5, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
“I choose not to keep my story private, because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options,” said Jolie.
Biomarkers Are Essential Medical Tools
April 25, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
A biomarker, in medicine, is anything that can be used to measure the health status of a person. A wide range of biomarkers is available to determine whether a person is healthy or sick. For instance, some are as simple as taking your pulse, body temperature, or measuring your blood pressure. Other biomarkers can be more complex, such as biological molecules used to identify genetic changes in cancer cells.
Allergy Season — Allergy Prevention: Allergy Is Bustin’ Out All Over
April 15, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Jennifer’s 11 year old son was diagnosed with seasonal allergies four years ago. She’s wondering why her son is showing allergy symptoms earlier in the year compared to previous years. Also, his symptoms seems to last into the late summer. Mom is worried because his allergies triggered asthmatic attacks causing him to miss four days from school.
“Snapshot” Medicare’s $35 Out-Of-Pocket Insulin
April 5, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Over 3.3 million Americans on Medicare use insulin. In August 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act which included caps on out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 per month for each insulin product covered by a person’s Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or Medicare Advantage plan. The law took effect on January 1, 2023. For Medicare patients who use an insulin pump, the law goes into effect on July1, 2023.
Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
March 25, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
As noted in a previous post, “The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland located in the neck below the Adam’s apple and in front of the windpipe It consists of right and left thyroid lobes joined together by a narrow strip of thyroid tissue called the isthmus.
Thyroid Cancer and Jared Kushner. Four Major Types of Thyroid Cancer
March 15, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Jared Kushner, the 42 year old former White House senior advisor, and son-in-law of ex-President Donald J. Trump, revealed in his 2022 book “Breaking History” that he had been treated for thyroid cancer. He was diagnosed as having thyroid cancer in October 2019 when a biopsy performed at Walter Reed Hospital tested positive for thyroid cancer.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) — The “Chickenpox Sequel”
March 5, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Shingles is a common viral infection that targets the skin, and nerve fibers. It causes a painful rash-blister due to the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus usually remains dormant or inactive in the body for the rest of his life; but for an unknown reason it can become reactivated later in life causing shingles. The rash typically involves one side of the body, and takes the shape of a band-like pattern.
Thyroid Gland ... What Is It? What Does It Do? The Pituitary—Thyroid Connection
February 25, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland located in the neck below the Adam’s apple or thyroid cartilage, and in front of the windpipe (trachea). It consists of right and left thyroid lobes (wings), joined together by a narrow strip of thyroid tissue called the isthmus.
Glymphatic System: How Sleep Cleanses and Revitalizes the Brain — Its House Cleaning System
February 15, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
A good night’s sleep is a priceless gem. It restores, revitalizes, and energizes us. Lack of sleep impacts our memory, how we think, feel, and behave. We’re not alert, our job performance suffers, we’re often grumpy, and our behavior can be an embarrassment.
Precision Medicine (Personalized Medicine): “Is It Right For You?”
February 5, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Former President Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924. Few thought this 98 year old would be living today. In 2015 he was diagnosed with melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer which had spread to his liver and brain.
