Medical Breakthroughs From Penn Medicine

Guest: David Metz, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Although gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or GEP-NETs, are relatively common, they are often indolent. However, GEP-NETs can metastasize in a small portion of the population, so physicians should be aware of symptoms and screening tools. The two most common types of GEP-NETs are categorized as carcinoids and pancreatic endocrine tumors. What distinguishes the two? Host Dr. Lee Freedman welcomes Dr. David Metz, professor of medicine and associate chief for clinical affairs in the division of gastroenterology at Penn Medicine, to discuss characteristics and diagnosis of GEP-NETs. Produced in Cooperation with

Guest: Donald O'Rourke, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Awake craniotomy offers many advantages to brain tumor surgery, since it allows neurosurgeons to maximize surgical resection, while minimizing neurologic risks. Is this procedure well tolerated by most patients? What role does MRI mapping play in awake craniotomy? Dr. Donald O'Rourke, associate professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania Neurological Institute and the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine, discusses the exciting advances being made with awake craniotomy with host Dr. Lee Freedman. Produced in Cooperation with

Guest: Don Siegel, MD, PhD Host: Lee Freedman, MD What are cellular vaccines and how do they differ from what we think of as conventional vaccines? What are the various types of approaches that we can potentially use for inducing anti-cancer immunity? Dr. Don Siegel, vice chair and professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Penn Medicine, talks with host Dr. Lee Freedman about the exciting potential of cellular vaccines as cancer therapy.

Guest: Joel Gelfand, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Are patients with psoriasis more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and what mechanisms might link these two conditions? Do the severity of psoriasis and the agents used to treat this condition factor in to determining a patient's cardiovascular risk? Host Dr. Lee Freedman asks Dr. Joel Gelfand, assistant professor of dermatology and medical director of the clinical studies unit in the department of dermatology at Penn Medicine, to describe what physicians should be aware of with patients who have psoriasis. Should these patients be screened more regularly for cardiovascular disease? Produced in Cooperation with

Host: Lee Freedman, MD Guest: Frederick Vivino, MD Sjogren's syndrome is a commonly overlooked autoimmune disorder. Dry eyes and whole-body dryness are just two of the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome that can suggest other conditions as well. How does Sjogren's present itself beyond dry eyes, and how severe is the condition? Dr. Frederick Vivino, clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, describes some of the tests and therapies available for Sjogren's syndrome to host Dr. Lee Freedman. Produced in Cooperation with

Guest: Andrew Haas, MD, PhD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Until recently, bronchoscopy has involved using cameras with CT guidance to determine abnormalities along the airway and lymph nodes. How is ultrasound now being used for bronchoscopic needle biopsies? What are other novel therapeutic applications for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration? Dr. Andrew Haas, assistant professor of medicine in the pulmonary, allergy and critical care division at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, discusses the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of ultrasound-guided bronchoscopy. Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.

Host: Lee Freedman, MD Guest: David I. Lee, MD Newer options for treating prostate cancer include cryosurgery and robotic prostatectomy. What does each of these methods involve and how can we determine the best treatment for our patients? Dr. David I. Lee, assistant professor of surgery at Penn Medicine, explores the advantages, risks, and outcomes. Dr. Lee Freedman hosts. Produced in Cooperation with

Guest: Joseph Gorman III, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Many cardiovascular researchers consider the heart from a biochemical or genetic standpoint, but what are the advantages to a biomechanical approach? Dr. Joseph Gorman, associate professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, considers assessment of the pathogenesis of heart disease and heart failure at the organ level with host Dr. Lee Freedman. How are catheter-based techniques proving effective for treating structural heart failure?

Guest: Jason G. Newman, MD, FACS Host: Lee Freedman, MD Minimally-invasive surgery is generally an attractive option, but how reliable and effective is brain surgery performed through the nose? Dr. Jason Newman, assistant professor of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, explores the rapidly evolving field of incisionless brain surgery with host Dr. Lee Freedman. What are the obstacles to approaching brain surgery through the nose, and could there be a robotic component in the next few years? Produced in Cooperation with  

Host: Lee Freedman, MD Guest: Samir Mehta, MD Dr. Samir Mehta, chief of orthopedic trauma at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the role of the orthopedic traumatologist. What does this designation mean? What kind of special care or expertise do these specialists bring to the care of the patient? In what situations might an orthopedic traumatologist be called in for consultation? If you were in an accident, wouldn't you want this specialist called in to assist in your care? Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.

Guest: Joseph Harryhill, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Dr. Joseph Harryhill, assistant clinical professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, outlines procedural considerations for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia with host Dr. Lee Freedman. Dr. Harryhill provides a contrast between more traditional approaches and newer therapies, including the GreenLight laser. Should you be referring your patients for laser therapy? If so, what might be the expected outcome?

Guest: Howard C. Herrmann, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD We are increasingly able to turn to non-surgical therapies for structural and valvular heart disease. Host Dr. Lee Freedman discusses investigational, catheter-based treatment with Dr. Howard Herrmann, professor of medicine, and director of interventional cardiology and the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories within the University of Pennsylvania Health System. What new devices are making these advances possible? What are the procedural risks?

Guest: Frank Leone, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Smoking-related morbidities and health complications are well-established. Even with social trends impinging on the freedom to smoke in convenient locations, many of our patients still can't kick the habit. Host Dr. Lee Freedman learns more about effective pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic ‘quit smoking' remedies from Dr. Frank Leone, associate professor of medicine and director of the Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Guest: Frank Leone, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD The morbidities and health complications from smoking are certainly well established. But even with social trends increasingly making the life of a smoker more difficult, many of our patients still can’t kick the habit. Joining your host Dr. Lee Freedman, to discuss smoking cessation therapies is Dr. Frank Leone, pulmonologist and director of Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Programs at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Leone covers the origins of the habit, nicotine addiction, and how to best approach patients with both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments.

Guest: Gordon Baltuch, MD, PhD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Known as the ‘pacemaker for the brain,' deep brain stimulation has made noteworthy progress in treating Parkinson's disease. Dr. Gordon Baltuch, associate professor of neurosurgery and director of the Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Lee Freedman to explain how deep brain stimulation works, and take a look ahead to its potential treatment applications for other diseases.

Guest: Craig Israelite, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD In surgery, we strive for less invasive procedures that still allow for the greatest precision possible. Developments in image-guided surgery are helping us meet this goal. Dr. Craig Israelite, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, joins host Dr. Lee Freedman to discuss computer-assisted tools for surgery. How has the field evolved since its inception ten years ago? What are the key risks or drawbacks to consider with this technology?

Host: Lee Freedman, MD Guest: Emile Mohler III, MD How should we approach vulnerable plaques in the coronaries and how can we calculate more precise risk levels in both high- and average-risk patients? Host Dr. Lee Freedman addresses diagnosis and treatment options with Dr. Emile Mohler III, associate professor of medicine and director of vascular medicine within the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Dr. Mohler passed away in October 2017. This interview honors his commitment and dedication to medicine.

Host: Lee Freedman, MD Guest: Emile Mohler III, MD A ruptured vascular plaque with subsequent thrombus often triggers the heart attack that occurs without warning. How do we identify and treat at-risk cardiac patients? Host Dr. Lee Freedman discusses an array of tools to evaluate plaque burden and promote plaque stabilization with Dr. Emile Mohler III, associate professor of medicine and director of vascular medicine within the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Dr. Mohler passed away in October 2017. This interview honors his commitment and dedication to medicine.

Guest: Christopher Miller, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Dr. Miller reviews basic and newer understandings about melanomas---how do they arise, what are risk factors, how are they recognized and diagnosed?

Guest: William Welch, MD Host: Lee Freedman, MD Dr. Welch reviews the approach to this common and disabling condition that affects our older patients. He reviews the diagnosis and initial treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis and then discusses how surgical techniques can bring relief to many of our patients.