expert type icon EXPERT

Sabha Ganai

Surgical Oncologist | Surgical Oncology

<p>Dr. Sabha Ganai is a surgical oncologist with expertise in peritoneal carcinomatosis and gastrointestinal malignancies.&nbsp; As a cancer disparitites researcher, she works to serve and educate others about promoting health equity.&nbsp; She is a recipient of the SSAT Health Care Disparities Award and the Gold Foundation Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Dr. Ganai is board-certified in general surgery and complex general surgical oncology.</p>
23 years Experience
Sabha Ganai
  • Fargo, ND
  • University of Southern Calif.
  • Accepting new patients

Can I drive after radiation treatment?

Typically, yes. There is no sedation to be expected and most types are noninvasive. The only time I would say no is you were receiving brachytherapy, which is really only used READ MORE
Typically, yes. There is no sedation to be expected and most types are noninvasive. The only time I would say no is you were receiving brachytherapy, which is really only used for cancers of the prostate and cervix.

Is a pancreas cancer diagnosis fatal?

Classically most people recur in 2-3 years even after surgery, making survival of more than 5 years less common. However, combining chemotherapy and surgery has led to much improved READ MORE
Classically most people recur in 2-3 years even after surgery, making survival of more than 5 years less common. However, combining chemotherapy and surgery has led to much improved results, particularly if the cancer is detected early.

Is it worth it to have colon resection surgery?

Absolutely. Colon cancer is a survivable problem if you can resect the tumor. It is lethal if you can't. If your goals include extending your life, than do it.

What conditions does surgical oncology diagnose?

Most surgical Oncologists manage abdominal cancers, sarcomas, skin cancers, thyroid and breast cancers. Some focus on a few areas of the body.

Is lung cancer curable?

This depends on the stage. Early stage lung cancers can be cured with surgery.

Is ovarian cyst removal minimally invasive?

You should ask your gynecologist. While many are done laparoscopically or robotically it depends on the experience and training of your doctor to do so. The priority is safety. READ MORE
You should ask your gynecologist. While many are done laparoscopically or robotically it depends on the experience and training of your doctor to do so. The priority is safety.

What doctors to see for fighting breast cancer?

You will see a surgical oncologist, a medical oncologist, and possibly a radiation oncologist.

Why can't some tumors be removed?

There are several possibilities, including the tumor having already spread in the abdomen or through the liver, or the tumor being unresectable. If it were advanced and invading READ MORE
There are several possibilities, including the tumor having already spread in the abdomen or through the liver, or the tumor being unresectable. If it were advanced and invading the blood supply for the liver, that would be a reason where it could not be safely removed. Would consider asking the surgeon for clarification as this would also impact the stage of the cancer.

How dangerous is sun tanning for my skin?

Repeated tanning, particular with sunburns are a risk factor for melanoma. Please liberally use a high SPF sunscreen and consider wearing sun protective clothing.

Will an ovarian dermoid cyst grow back after removal?

Low likelihood, but would confirm the pathology with your doctor and make sure you do not require follow-up.

It feels like I have something under my skin, what could it be?

It is hard to say, but is likely a hernia. Would see your doctor and try to lose weight if you are overweight. Also stop smoking if you smoke. Why? If it is a hernia and you READ MORE
It is hard to say, but is likely a hernia. Would see your doctor and try to lose weight if you are overweight. Also stop smoking if you smoke. Why? If it is a hernia and you do need surgery, you do not want this to come back.

When should I have a benign tumor removed?

If it grows rapidly or changes, it needs to be evaluated for removal.

It feels like I have something under my skin. What could it be?

It is hard to say. It could be an abscess or boil, or it could be an incarcerated hernia with inflamed tissues. You need to seek medical attention as soon as possible!

What is a lump on my right side pubic area?

It sounds like a hernia. See your doctor!

How do chemotherapy and radiation differ?

Chemotherapy acts throughout your body (systemically) and can affect both your normal cells and the cancer cell through one of many mechanisms, often by interfering with cell division. READ MORE
Chemotherapy acts throughout your body (systemically) and can affect both your normal cells and the cancer cell through one of many mechanisms, often by interfering with cell division. Radiation therapy acts in one particular region where the beam is focused (locally) and creates cell damage to that region through generation of oxygen free radicals, which damages DNA. There is some evidence that radiation also can work secondarily throughout the body by stimulating the immune system to attack the cancer.

How often do tumors come back after being removed?

Every cancer is different. Triple negative breast cancers return in a median of 3 years while estrogen receptor positive breast cancers return in a median of 7 years, if they READ MORE
Every cancer is different. Triple negative breast cancers return in a median of 3 years while estrogen receptor positive breast cancers return in a median of 7 years, if they return at all. You should talk to your surgeon and oncologist about this likelihood, which usually is fairly low with the most common presenting breast cancers. If the cancer has already spread to lymph nodes the risk is higher, but again, it depends.

Higher risk cancers will benefit from chemotherapy to avoid/reduce this risk of recurrence. There are certain tests like Oncotype DX that are used to help make this determination in cancers that have no obvious evidence of spread.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Pain in both breasts is not a typical symptom of cancer, but she should get checked and have a mammogram.

Can tumors be removed without surgery?

Not really, but there are some tumors that can be treated effectively with radiation therapy. They may come back (recur) however with either modality.

What is the lump in my breast

You will need to see a doctor who specializes in breast surgery after getting a mammogram and ultrasound. This could be a benign tumor and not a cancer, but it's hard to tell without READ MORE
You will need to see a doctor who specializes in breast surgery after getting a mammogram and ultrasound. This could be a benign tumor and not a cancer, but it's hard to tell without examining it and looking at the films. It may require a needle biopsy before considering removal. This is something not to get too stressed over. It happens a lot and can be dealt with if addressed early enough.