Dr. Michael Santoro is a Board-certified Internist and Gastroenterologist, who is in clincal practice in Southern California. He did his medical school training at the SUNY-Health and Science Center in Brooklyn. He completed a three-year internal medicine residency at Staton Island University Hospital. This was followed by a three-year fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Loma Linda University.
Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Patients who have hereditary colon cancer syndromes usually
have no symptoms and are unaware that they have colon polyps or early colon
cancers. They usually will develop colon cancers early in life (often before
ages 40-50). Therefore, to prevent colon cancers in patients with hereditary
colon cancer syndromes, colon screening must begin early. For example, patients
with FAP should have annual flexible sigmoidoscopies starting at age 12,
patients with AFAP should have annual colonoscopies starting at age 25, and
patients with HNPCC should have colonoscopies beginning at age 25 (or 10 years
younger than the earliest colon cancer diagnosed in the family, whichever is
earlier). The current screening recommendations for the general population
(fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy beginning at ages 40-50) are
inadequate for most patients with hereditary colon cancer syndromes.
Genetic counseling and testing are important to identify
patients and family members with hereditary colon cancer syndromes so that
screening with flexible sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies can begin early and,
if necessary, the colon can be removed surgically to prevent colon cancer.
Moreover, depending on which hereditary colon cancer syndrome is present, early
screening for other types of cancer such as ovarian, uterine, stomach, ureter, and thyroid may be
appropriate. For more, please read the
Colon Cancer, The Genetic Factor
article.
Colon polyps are growths on the inside of the colon.
Colon polyps that often become cancerous are called
adenomas or adenomatous colon polyps.
The risk of an adenomatous colon polyp becoming
cancerous increases as the size of the polyp increases.
All individuals should have screening flexible sigmoidoscopy beginning
at age 50 to detect colon polyps.
If colon polyps are found during flexible
sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy should be done to detect colon polyps elsewhere in
the colon.
Increasingly, doctors in the US are recommending screening colonoscopy rather than flexible sigmoidoscopy for all individuals starting at age 50
Individuals who have had adenomatous polyps need regular
screening with colonoscopy to detect and remove new polyps.
Genetic testing and counseling is now available to identify individuals with inherited colon cancer syndromes so that screening flexible sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies can begin early to detect polyps and prevent the development of early colon cancers.
Colon Polyps - Describe Your ExperienceQuestion: Did you have any of the risk factors for colon polyps at the time of your diagnosis? If so, what were they?
Rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Rectal bleeding may be moderate to severe and most bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus. Common causes include anal fissures, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and more.
Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon is referred to as colitis. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are several causes of colitis including infection, ischemia of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, or microscopic colitis). Treatment depends on the cause of the colitis.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.
Gardners' syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), is an inherited condition in which cancer of the colon and rectum develop. Colon polyps and growths may develop as early as the teens. If these polyps are not removed, they will become cancerous. There are different inheritance patterns for familial adenomatous polyposis.
Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in your own health care and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. Age of screening and timing of screening depends upon the condition being assessed.
Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests
are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
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