EXPERT
Dr. William L. Diehl, M.D.
Surgeon
William L. Diehl, MD, FACS, is a surgical oncologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of breast cancer and breast diseases. With over 30 years of experience in the treatment of breast and other cancers, he is a leader in the community and provides tailored care designed to best treat each individual patient. "There are no two breast cancers that are alike, and there are no two breast cancer patients that are alike", states Dr. Diehl. " Our mission is to tailor a specific treatment for a specific cancer in a specific patient. This can vary widely based on the characteristics of the cancer and the characteristics of the patient" He also feels strongly that breast cancer therapy is best delivered in a comprehensive, team oriented manner as is available at the Summit Medical Group Breast Care Center.
44 years
Experience
Dr. William L. Diehl, M.D.
- Morristown, NJ
- Universidad Anahuac Escuela De Medicina, Mexico
- Accepting new patients
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How do chemotherapy and radiation differ?
Chemotherapy in general is a treatment that is administered through intravenous infusion of medications and sometimes oral medications. The effects of the treatment attack cancer READ MORE
Chemotherapy in general is a treatment that is administered through intravenous infusion of medications and sometimes oral medications. The effects of the treatment attack cancer throughout the body regardless of where it is located. Radiation on the other hand is a focused beam of radiation that only treats the tissues that are being targeted and does not treat the rest of the body.
What is a lump on my right side pubic area?
You should be examined by a General Surgeon. This could be as simple as a hernia but it would be very difficult for me to say without an examination.
It feels like I have something under my skin. What could it be?
It is impossible to tell without an examination. You should see a general surgeon or a dermatologist to have them check it.
Why is there a big lump on my head?
It would be very hard to know without examining you. I would recommend that you go to your family doctor or internist 1st and have them assess the situation and then recommend READ MORE
It would be very hard to know without examining you. I would recommend that you go to your family doctor or internist 1st and have them assess the situation and then recommend you to a specialist based on what they find.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
In general breast cancer is asymptomatic. Also in general bilateral breast pain is not a symptom of breast cancer. However, she should go to her gynecologist for a clinical examination READ MORE
In general breast cancer is asymptomatic. Also in general bilateral breast pain is not a symptom of breast cancer. However, she should go to her gynecologist for a clinical examination and then get a mammogram and ultrasound.
What is the lump in my breast
I would start by getting an examination by her gynecologist and having him order a mammogram and ultrasound. The majority of these lumps proved to be benign but they all need READ MORE
I would start by getting an examination by her gynecologist and having him order a mammogram and ultrasound. The majority of these lumps proved to be benign but they all need to be evaluated.
When should I have a benign tumor removed?
First of all, you need to be sure that it is some image guided biopsy. Once you are sure it is, then it is your choice as to when to have it removed, however, in general, I recommend READ MORE
First of all, you need to be sure that it is some image guided biopsy. Once you are sure it is, then it is your choice as to when to have it removed, however, in general, I recommend that people simply remove them.
What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?
Without knowing the specifics of his cancer, I can only speak in general terms. Radiation therapy targeting the prostate or surgery to remove it are the mainstays of treatment. READ MORE
Without knowing the specifics of his cancer, I can only speak in general terms. Radiation therapy targeting the prostate or surgery to remove it are the mainstays of treatment. Occasionally hormonal therapy or other forms of hormonal manipulation may also be entertained.
Will an ovarian dermoid cyst grow back after removal?
It would be highly unlikely for the cyst to recur after complete removal. You should do very well.
Should I do something with my neck cyst?
In general terms if there is a small cyst in the neck then it’s probably a good idea to remove it although the chances of it being cancerous are very low at your age. The alternative READ MORE
In general terms if there is a small cyst in the neck then it’s probably a good idea to remove it although the chances of it being cancerous are very low at your age. The alternative would be to monitor it for several months to see if it changes but these are usually easier to deal with by excision
Is ovarian cyst removal minimally invasive?
It depends on the clinical situation. If the doctors are sure it’s cancerous then it is usually removed through an incision but if it is indeterminate then it can be removed with READ MORE
It depends on the clinical situation. If the doctors are sure it’s cancerous then it is usually removed through an incision but if it is indeterminate then it can be removed with minimally invasive techniques. This is a judgment that must be made by your surgeon.
Why can't some tumors be removed?
The usual reasons why a tumor cannot be removed surgically have to do with involvement of vital vascular structures such as the arteries or veins heading into and out of the liver. READ MORE
The usual reasons why a tumor cannot be removed surgically have to do with involvement of vital vascular structures such as the arteries or veins heading into and out of the liver. There are times when those vessels cannot be sacrificed and in that situation the tumor cannot be removed. However if he has a good response to chemotherapy and the tumor shrinks then perhaps consideration to surgery may be given down the road. Unfortunately, the prognosis for gallbladder cancer is usually poor. I’m sorry to hear he’s going through this
Is a hysterectomy recommended for cervical cancer?
In general terms the answer is no. Furthermore if you wanted to prevent cervical cancer you would need to have a total hysterectomy with removal of the cervix although they could READ MORE
In general terms the answer is no. Furthermore if you wanted to prevent cervical cancer you would need to have a total hysterectomy with removal of the cervix although they could leave the ovaries behind. Nevertheless with careful yearly screening by your gynecologist if one were to ever develop it would be likely identified very early.
How often do tumors come back after being removed?
If patients treat the cancer as recommended by their surgical team, the risk of the cancer returning in general is quite low. To specifically quote rates of recurrence is not possible READ MORE
If patients treat the cancer as recommended by their surgical team, the risk of the cancer returning in general is quite low. To specifically quote rates of recurrence is not possible without knowing the exact details of your cancer and treatment recommendations, however, the chance of it coming back in the local area (Breast and lymph nodes) in general should be well under 10%. The chance of it coming back somewhere else in the body is a different calculation and beyond what I can answer in a general manner without specific information. You should discuss this in detail with your treatment team
Can tumors be removed without surgery?
This is a highly specialized area in Neurosurgery and not an answer I can provide. For these highly complex problems a second opinion at a tertiary care center would be a good READ MORE
This is a highly specialized area in Neurosurgery and not an answer I can provide. For these highly complex problems a second opinion at a tertiary care center would be a good idea
Do benign tumors require to be removed?
You 1st have to prove that it is benign before you can assume that it does not need to be removed. This can be done very simply with an ultrasound-guided core biopsy. If the biopsy READ MORE
You 1st have to prove that it is benign before you can assume that it does not need to be removed. This can be done very simply with an ultrasound-guided core biopsy. If the biopsy proves that it's benign, then you have the option of waiting to see if it grows. However, if something is around 2 cm in size or greater, chances are it would best be removed. If it is proven to be benign, the chances of it causing complications down the line is small. This information is educational in nature, but you should make any final decisions based on discussions with your doctor.
Does a thoracotomy carry a lot of risks?
The surgery can result in serious complications, however, if he has a tumor that requires surgery, then there's no way around having the operation. Make sure the thoracic surgeon READ MORE
The surgery can result in serious complications, however, if he has a tumor that requires surgery, then there's no way around having the operation. Make sure the thoracic surgeon performs these operations on a frequent basis.
How long is the recovery from a mastectomy?
It depends on whether you are having reconstruction or not. In general with reconstruction the recovery is 2 to 3 weeks before you return to normal. There will be several drains READ MORE
It depends on whether you are having reconstruction or not. In general with reconstruction the recovery is 2 to 3 weeks before you return to normal. There will be several drains that need to be removed after surgery but you should be able to move around freely within a very short period of time. One option that we provide our patients is to perform what is called a PEC block prior to surgery. This is done by injecting an anesthetic into the sensory nerves that go to the breast prior to the operation and the amount of pain that the patient experiences afterwards is substantially decreased in magnitude and length.
How invasive is a tumor removal?
It should not be overly invasive, particularly if it is simply under the skin. Many of these can be done under local anesthesia.
Are surgical consultations used for women receiving mastectomies?
Consultations are extremely important. First of all, not all women needed or should have a mastectomy and some women should undergo therapy prior to having a mastectomy. It is READ MORE
Consultations are extremely important. First of all, not all women needed or should have a mastectomy and some women should undergo therapy prior to having a mastectomy. It is important to meet with a surgeon that has an extensive experience in the treatment of breast cancer so I would encourage you to follow through with this consultation.
