Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates

Risk Assessment for Lynch Syndrome and Herediatry Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

drquartell — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:55:22 +0000

Have you or any family members ever been tested for hereditary cancer? Have you or any family member had uterine or endometrial cancer before age 50? Have you or any family member had colorectal cancer before age 50? Have you or any familymember had ovarian cancer? Have you or any family member had two or more lynch syndrome cancers (colon, ovarian, stomach, ureter/renal pelvis, biliary tract, small bowel, pancreas, brain or sebaceous adenoma)? Have you or a family member had breast cancer at age 50 or younger? These are some of the questions asked of our female patients upon a visit to our office when screening for potential future testing (Braca testing) if the responses warrant it. It is imperative that females become proactive with their own medical care and not just the necessary medical care for their loved ones, by obtaining preventive care services each year and as needed.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates (Four Physicians, a Nurse Practitioner, 2 RNs and other medical personnel at our location) serves Essex County, Morris County, Union County, Sussex County, Hudson County and surrounding areas.

Another patient exclaims how happy she was with her surgical experience

drquartell — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:43:09 +0000

Upon Susan’s post operative visit at our office last week, she exclaimed how surprised she was that her surgery went as smoothly and quickly as it did. Our patient, Susan, explained that people had warned her that having a hysterectomy would be traumatic and would subsequently, keep her out of work for six weeks or longer. However, after she underwent a Laparoscopic supra cervical hysterectomy performed by Dr. Anthony Quartell, Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., less than two weeks ago, she stated that those people were wrong. Delighted that she was up and about so quickly and feeling wonderful, Susan indicated that she would highly recommend having a hysterectomy done laparoscopically by Dr. Anthony Quartell.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves Essex County, Morris County, Passaic County, Hudson County and surrounding areas.

Follow up is an important step toward good health.

drquartell — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:31:04 +0000

Although many patients are good about making preventive care appointments and problem appointments when they have concerns or issues to address, they often fall short on the follow up step for further testing or evaluation as per their healthcare provider’s instructions. For example, if a patient comes to the physician complaining of chronic pelvic pain and the physician orders a gynecological ultrasound as part of the diagnostic process and after discussing those results the patient is instructed to return in 3 months for a follow up scan, it is expected that the patient will make that appointment. However, many times upon reviewing patient files, our nurses will find that the patient has yet to be re-tested and consequently, the nurses will call the patient several times or even as a last effort to remind the patient of her duty to take care of herself first- which is a difficult thing to do for many women who are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters first, our nurses will even send out letters to urge the patient to follow up on her own health care. Our providers and nurses do not stop until they have exhausted every effort to get the patient to follow up on her own health needs. In this busy day and age when many women are stretched thin already, it seems harder to find time to follow up on their own health needs but putting it off can only have negative consequences for everyone close to them.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the areas of Morris, Essex, Passaic, Hudson counties and surrounding areas.

Breast Cancer is leading cause of cancer death among females

drquartell — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:25:12 +0000

Accounting for approximately 23 percent of total cancer cases and approximately 14 percent of cancer deaths, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Routine breast exams performed regularly in addition to regular self- examinations and of course mammographic screening aid in the early detection of potential breast cancers. If a mammogram reveals an abnormality, supplemental mammographic views and possibly even ultrasound screening could be recommended for further evaluation. Generally, there are two categories of mammogram abnormal findings that could suggest breast cancer, but not necessarily mean malignancy. Those would be soft tissue masses and clustered microcalcifications. However, these findings do not necessarily warrant a diagnosis of breast cancer without further testing. Additional testing must be performed in order to accurately determine whether a malignancy does indeed exist.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the tri-state area, including Livingston,N.J., Short Hills, N.J., Millburn, N.J., Florham Park, N.J., E. Hanover, N.J., West Orange, N.J. , Verona, N.J. and surrounding areas.

Symtoms of menopause

drquartell — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:52:26 +0000

Menopause is usually declared in a “non- pregnant adult woman who has an intact uterus” when she has not had a menstrual period in one complete year. Prior to this time, the female could experience irregular periods (periods that fluctuate between being heavy and light or being present or absent from month to month), hot flashes and associated sweating especially during the night, atrophy of genitourinary tissue, vaginal dryness, breast tenderness, increased stress, forgetfulness, moodiness (changes in moods, including anxiety, frustration, depression) and sometimes heart palpitations or heart disease and even osteoporosis. Hormonal changes in a woman’s body cause some or all of these symptoms depending on the individual, as all women are affected differently. Should a woman experience any of this, it would be warranted to visit her gynecologist for a thorough evaluation as there are treatments to help.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the Morris, Essex, Passaic, and Hudson counties and surrounding areas.

Sometimes surgery is a last resort

drquartell — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:16:48 +0000

Our patient Robyn who is in her forties came to see Dr. Anthony Quartell to discuss her options in dealing with the fibroid uterus that has been becoming increasingly larger and more uncomfortable over a period of about 5 years. Tired of the chronic problems with pain and bleeding, she explains that it is hard for her to even leave the house lately because she does not know what kind of a day it will be. The pain, along with increased urinary tract infections and increased bleeding have taken a toll on her ability to work, perform much of her regular daily activities and on her sex life. Consequently, Robyn was ready for a thorough evaluation and subsequent recommendation for alleviating these ailments.

After a thorough exam in our office and subsequent ultrasound testing, Dr. Quartell explained to the patient her options which included performing a laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy. Prior to undergoing this surgery, Robyn could start Lupron Injection therapy for three months to attempt to decrease the size of the fibroids. If this is successful, she could opt out of undergoing surgery altogether while her condition is monitored closely by her referring gynecologist, or it would at the very least, decrease the size of the fibroid enough to ensure a less difficult surgery if that is ultimately the path the patient choses to take.

After evaluating and comparing the risks and side effects of lupron to the last resort option of surgery, the patient chose to try the lupron therapy prior to surgery. She is currently mid way through the therapy and is doing well so far. After the three month period passes she will be re-examined and depending on the outcome she will decide if she would still like to pursue surgery as a final option.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the tri state areas which include Northern New Jersey and surrounding areas.

Patient insisted that she did not want to be “cut open”..

drquartell — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:14:15 +0000

At the time of her post operative appointment, seven business days from the time of her laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (lsh) performed by Dr. Anthony Quartell at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, our patient Priscilla indicated that she was delighted by how well the entire surgical experience went. As happy as she was with Dr. Quartell’s “bedside manners” and surgical expertise, Priscilla added that she was very happy with our entire staff, most specifically with Marion (RN) and Helga (Benefits Coordinator) for all of the help they gave her.

Priscilla explained that over a three year period, her own gynecologist encouraged her to have a traditional hysterectomy to eliminate her chronic bleeding and pelvic/ lower back pain caused by an enlarged fibroid uterus, however; she insisted on holding out because she did not want to be cut open after having three previous cesarean sections. She also explained that she could not afford to take the required amount of time off from her job that comes with the traditional open hysterectomy. Therefore, her gynecologist ordered an ultrasound every six months to watch the growth of her uterine fibroid followed by a failed uteriro artery embolization.

However, once the embolization failed, her gynecologist referred her to Dr. Anthony Quartell for a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Priscilla indicated that although she wanted the surgery to be performed by laparoscope, Dr. Quartell did warn her that there would be a chance it could not be done laparoscopically depending on what he would find at the time of surgery. Subsequently, Priscilla relayed that she was delighted to find out when she woke after the surgery that Dr. Quartell was able to perform the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy without any complications. Priscilla was elated to discover that her cervix, tubes and ovaries all remained in tact, she was released from the hospital in less than 24 hours and was out and about almost immediately.

As a young, vivacious and energetic single mom of three who works full time, Priscilla was grateful to Dr. Quartell and her own gynecologist for taking her needs into consideration and providing her with the best outcome possible.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the areas of Livingston, N.J., Short Hills, N.J., Maplewood, N.J., West Orange, N.J, E. Hanover, N.J., West Caldwell, N.J. and surrounding areas.

Patients thank nurses for the warm and personalized care received during their pregnancies.

drquartell — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:37:51 +0000

Many female patients who have entered the doors of our office have thanked our nurses for the geniune care and support given to them over the months spent as an obstetrical patient in our practice. Whether it is the patient’s first pregnancy or fourth, our nurses provide the most thorough and personalized care as they answer all of our patients’ questions and concerns throughout the term of the pregnancy. Typically, our nurses answer a minimum of 25 phonecalls a day ranging from common questions about taking cold medicines, to more complicated questions about discomfort, pain or even bleeding. Between our Nurse Practitioner, Marisa and our two registered nurses; Kelly and Marion, no question goes unanswered and no patient feels ignored. Our nurses believe in treating patients the way they would want their own mothers or daughters treated and it is evident in the continual thanks they receive every day from these grateful patients who become part of “our family” as they return to our office over and over, long after their babies are born.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the northern New Jersey areas of Essex County, Morris County, Passaic County and surrounding areas.

Patient with a 19 week size uterus feels great after 4 hours of surgery

drquartell — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:54:25 +0000

One week after Linda’s surgery, she boasted at her post operative visit how great she felt and was still amazed how well the surgery went. This patient had been experiencing chronic bleeding and pelvic pain for months before her regular gynecologist referred her to see Dr. Anthony Quartell for an evaluation. Upon examining the patient, Dr. Quartell found a large fibroid and ovarian cyst that comprised her 19 week size uterus. Dr. Quartell recommended a Laparoscopic Supra cervical hysterectomy with the possibility of laparotomy depending on the outcome of Laparoscopic exam. Subsequent to this, upon inspection through the laparoscope, it was decided that she should undergo a subtotal abdominal hysterectomy instead. The patient gave consent and underwent an extensive surgery that included secondary surgical treatment during the same operative session without incident. Although most hysterectomy cases can be performed laparoscopically, Dr. Quartell does not take chances when it is not the absolute clearest path to take. His surgical skills are vast and competent enough to adapt to any situation and treat it most beneficial to the patient.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the Tri state area, including Essex, Morris, Hudson, Passaic, Bergen counties in New Jersey to South Jersey and even New York.

In addition to regular mammograms, the Breast Self Exam can save lives

drquartell — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:07:34 +0000

The monthly self breast exam is a good first step in the detection of a potential breast cancer in addition to regular check ups and mammograms. The best time of the month for a female to perform her self exam is seven to ten days after the start of the menstrual cycle, or for post menopausal women, the same day each month. The exam can be done standing or sitting in front of the mirror so that the female can visually check as she feels for any lumps, hard knots, swelling, dimpling or thickening. Also, it helps for her to see any abnormal changes in size, shape, color or discharge.

The exam can also be performed lying down on her back, or standing in the shower. The most important thing is to get in the habit of doing this self exam each month. It takes little time but goes a long way in saving a life. For a full exam and detailed instruction for performing the self exam, patients should call their obstetrician/gynecologist. In our office, one of our four board certified ob/gyns or our licensed nurse practitioner would be available for appointment at your convenience.

Anthony C. Quartell, MD & Associates serves the areas of Livingston, N.J. , West Orange, N.J., Florham Park, N.J., East Hanover, N.J., Caldwell, N.J and surrounding areas.