EXPERT
Dr. Atif Iqbal, MD
Colon and Rectal Surgeon
<p><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dr. Atif Iqbal is a colon and rectal surgeon practicing in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Iqbal specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. As a colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Iqbal often treats conditions like rectal cancer, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, anal fissures and diverticulitis. Colon and rectal surgeons may be referred to you by your gastroenterologist if your doctor believes you need a surgical procedure.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Atif Iqbal earned his medical degree from King Edward Medical University and completed a surgical internship at Mayo Hospital, Pakistan. He then completed a surgical research fellowship at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Missouri and a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He joined the University of Florida (UF) as an assistant professor in 2011 and was promoted to associate professor in 2018.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal leads the Colorectal Surgery team, and specializes in surgical procedures for benign and malignant pathology of the colon, rectum and anus. He has a special interest in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures for colon and rectal cancer, including sphincter saving procedures for low rectal cancer. He is a member of the Baylor Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and offers laparoscopic pouch procedures for ulcerative colitis and minimally invasive surgery for Crohn’s disease. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">H</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #333333; letter-spacing: .3pt;">is clinical interests include robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopy, pelvic surgery and surgical treatment of rectal cancer, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery. His research interests focus on health services and outcome-based translational research in colorectal pathology with a focus on rectal cancer outcomes and institution of enhanced recovery programs after surgery. He has over 130 research publications, presentations and posters. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal has held various leadership positions in the past including, being the Medical Director for the UF outpatient surgical clinics, Program Director for the UF PA residency program, the cancer liaison physician for the UF Health cancer network, and the lead robotic surgeon for his division. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He is recognized nationally as a colorectal cancer expert and is currently serving as an elected surgical expert on the NCI Rectal-Anal Task Force and the Colon task force of the GI steering committee. He is actively involved with the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and NRG Oncology. He has earned honors for his research presentations to the ACS, SAGES and the Commission on Cancer, as well as a medal of achievement in physiology by the Pakistan Physiological Research Organization. He has earned numerous ‘patient nominations’ and awards for the quality of care provided.</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Atif Iqbal earned his medical degree from King Edward Medical University and completed a surgical internship at Mayo Hospital, Pakistan. He then completed a surgical research fellowship at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Missouri and a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He joined the University of Florida (UF) as an assistant professor in 2011 and was promoted to associate professor in 2018.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal leads the Colorectal Surgery team, and specializes in surgical procedures for benign and malignant pathology of the colon, rectum and anus. He has a special interest in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures for colon and rectal cancer, including sphincter saving procedures for low rectal cancer. He is a member of the Baylor Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and offers laparoscopic pouch procedures for ulcerative colitis and minimally invasive surgery for Crohn’s disease. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">H</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #333333; letter-spacing: .3pt;">is clinical interests include robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopy, pelvic surgery and surgical treatment of rectal cancer, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery. His research interests focus on health services and outcome-based translational research in colorectal pathology with a focus on rectal cancer outcomes and institution of enhanced recovery programs after surgery. He has over 130 research publications, presentations and posters. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal has held various leadership positions in the past including, being the Medical Director for the UF outpatient surgical clinics, Program Director for the UF PA residency program, the cancer liaison physician for the UF Health cancer network, and the lead robotic surgeon for his division. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He is recognized nationally as a colorectal cancer expert and is currently serving as an elected surgical expert on the NCI Rectal-Anal Task Force and the Colon task force of the GI steering committee. He is actively involved with the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and NRG Oncology. He has earned honors for his research presentations to the ACS, SAGES and the Commission on Cancer, as well as a medal of achievement in physiology by the Pakistan Physiological Research Organization. He has earned numerous ‘patient nominations’ and awards for the quality of care provided.</span></p>
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23 years
Experience
Dr. Atif Iqbal, MD
- Gainesville, FL
- King Edward Medical University
- Accepting new patients
No results found
I am a 27 year old man and am about 53 lbs overweight. I have noticed some blood in my stools. Could it be polyps or cancer?
It can. You need to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist to see what’s causing the bleeding. It could be hemorrhoids or cancer even at this age. It’s likely not cancer at this READ MORE
It can. You need to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist to see what’s causing the bleeding. It could be hemorrhoids or cancer even at this age. It’s likely not cancer at this age but we are seeing cancers in young patients more often now. This needs to be evaluated and the physician might want to do a cooonoscopy
Does IBS require surgery?
No IBS does not need surgery. IBD can. They are completely different diseases
Is a colonoscopy painful?
Absolutely not. You are given sedation during the scope so you won’t remember anything. The air we put in to see leaves you feeling like you are very bloated after but you just READ MORE
Absolutely not. You are given sedation during the scope so you won’t remember anything. The air we put in to see leaves you feeling like you are very bloated after but you just pass it out. The difficult part is the prep which makes you go to the bathroom a lot.
Can colon cancer be cured with a surgery?
Surgery is the only way to cure colon cancer usually but it depends on the stage (how far it has spread). Stage 4 or cancer that has spread through out the body is typically treated READ MORE
Surgery is the only way to cure colon cancer usually but it depends on the stage (how far it has spread). Stage 4 or cancer that has spread through out the body is typically treated with chemotherapy. Anything short of that typically gets surgery first.
What is a colectomy?
It is surgical removal of a portion of the colon.
I feel very constipated. Could there be any blockages in my colon system?
You should see a gastroenterologist and have a colonoscopy followed by some other workup for constipation. If a surgical issue is identified then they can consult a surgeon for READ MORE
You should see a gastroenterologist and have a colonoscopy followed by some other workup for constipation. If a surgical issue is identified then they can consult a surgeon for further treatment.
I underwent a colon surgery and now I am passing blood traces. Is it normal?
Small amount of blood after colon surgery can be normal as long as you are otherwise doing okay. You should call the surgeon's office just to be sure he does not want to do anything READ MORE
Small amount of blood after colon surgery can be normal as long as you are otherwise doing okay. You should call the surgeon's office just to be sure he does not want to do anything differently.
What is the best course of treatment for hemorrhoids?
15-30 grams of fiber a day with lots of water and no straining on the toilet. Surgery for it is quite painful and thankfully needed not often.
How is IBD treated in elderly patients?
IBD and IBS are completely different diseases. Both are treated medically first but IBD is much more serious than IBS. IBS never needs surgery while IBD can.
What are the symptoms to detect colon and rectal cancer?
Bloody stools can be a sign of colorectal cancer but it can also be because of many other reasons. Its best to see a colorectal surgeon or gastroenterologist and have a formal READ MORE
Bloody stools can be a sign of colorectal cancer but it can also be because of many other reasons. Its best to see a colorectal surgeon or gastroenterologist and have a formal assessment. He may need a colonoscopy if it continues. That is how you definitively diagnose colorectal cancer. If he had a FIT test or one of the home based tests and they come back positive, he still needs a colonoscopy.
Best of luck !
Atif Iqbal, MD
Best of luck !
Atif Iqbal, MD
Crohn's and bowel cancer?
Not if you don’t have crohns yourself. The inflammation from crohns and a family history of cancer count as risk factors for you
Anal fissure after surgery?
Consider calling your surgeon to get into his clinic sooner for a check. This may be normal but hard to say without an exam.
intense rectal pressure after fissurectomy
The fissure might have recurred. Probably best to be seen by a Colorectal Surgeon soon.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
