Tests and Procedures

Overview A Pap smear test is a simple medical procedure that checks for changes in cells on the cervix, which can show signs of cervical cancer…

Overview Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a special drug called a photosensitizer and a specific type of light. The drug becomes active when exposed to light, creating…

Overview Shoulder replacement surgery, also called shoulder arthroplasty, involves removing damaged parts of the shoulder joint and replacing them with artificial components. The goal is to…

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a medical procedure that helps people with aortic stenosis, a condition where the heart’s aortic valve becomes too narrow and…

Overview Home enteral nutrition, also called tube feeding, provides nutrition directly to the stomach or small intestine when someone cannot eat or absorb enough nutrients by…

Overview Hormone therapy, also called endocrine therapy, is a common option for people with breast cancer that responds to hormones like estrogen or progesterone. Doctors use…

Overview An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a small heart device that helps manage certain types of arrhythmia. Powered by a battery, doctors usually place it under…

Overview A rheumatoid factor (RF) test is a blood test that checks for the presence and level of rheumatoid factor, a specific type of autoantibody in…

Overview A lumpectomy is a surgery that removes a section of breast tissue, most commonly to treat breast cancer. Other names for this procedure include partial…

Overview Cystectomy is a procedure that removes the urinary bladder. There are different types of this surgery: After removing the bladder, the surgeon creates a new…