Latest news with #Vakharia
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rare spinal cancer tumor removed through patient's eye at university hospital
A young Maryland woman is "relieved and recovering" after doctors performed a novel surgery to remove her potentially deadly cancerous tumors. A surgical team at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) extracted the tumors, which had wrapped around the spinal cord, through the patient's eye socket. This was the first time surgeons removed a spinal tumor using a "transorbital" approach, according to a UMMC press release. Michael Bolton Had Strange Symptoms Before Brain Cancer Diagnosis: 'Something's Wrong' Karla Flores was just 19 when she was diagnosed with a chordoma, which is a developmental bone tumor, in her spine. At 18, Flores started experiencing double vision, ultimately leading to her diagnosis months later. Read On The Fox News App Chordomas are very rare, with only about 300 cases occurring in the U.S. each year. "The tumor was wrapped around the patient's spine and spinal cord and had invaded the vertebrae in her neck, just below the base of the skull," according to Mohamed Labib, M.D., neurosurgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center and assistant professor of neurosurgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Terminal Colon Cancer Patient Saved By Breakthrough Treatment "The primary risks were injuring the brainstem, spinal cord or major blood vessels with the drill or the fine instruments we used — any of these injuries could have resulted in paralysis or even death," Labib told Fox News Digital. "But without surgery, the chordoma could have continued to grow and put intense pressure on the spinal cord. This, too, would have paralyzed her arms and legs and eventually killed her. So, you can see how the stakes were very high with this procedure." The surgeons created a "huge surgical corridor" through the eye socket that enabled them to get in front of the spinal cord. "It was a straight shot," Labib said. "By going through the bottom of the eye socket, we were able to remove a tumor that otherwise would have been very difficult and very risky to address." During the procedure, Labib worked with a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Kalpesh T. Vakharia, M.D., who "carefully cut through the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane protecting the eye, inside the lower eyelid without disturbing the eye." To create the pathway to the spine, Vakharia removed the bottom of Flores' eye socket and a portion of her cheekbone, the release stated. Ancient Egyptians Attempted To Surgically Remove Brain Cancer From Skull 4,000 Years Ago, Study Finds "We wanted to develop a surgical plan where there would be no external scars and it would be impossible to tell that the patient even had surgery," said Vakharia. After Labib removed the tumor, Vakharia rebuilt the bottom of the eye socket using a titanium plate and rebuilt the cheek with bone from the patient's hip, the release detailed. "It was amazing to have had the opportunity to be part of surgery that had never been done before," Vakharia added. This approach also prevented any damage to the eustachian tube, major blood vessels such as the jugular vein and internal carotid artery, and nerves that control swallowing and speech, Labib noted. Prior to Flores' surgery, Labib had the chance to practice the transorbital procedure on cadavers "many, many times." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "The fact that people are willing to donate their bodies to science enabled us to do this and saved the life of this young woman," he said. Flores also had a large tumor around her brain stem, which was removed through two separate procedures via her skull and nose, the release stated. The spinal tumors could have been life-threatening if they had grown to the point where they caused significant brain stem compression, according to Andrea M. Hebert, MD, a UMCC head and neck surgeon who performed the endonasal procedure and took part in the transorbital surgery. "Many of these tumors recur, and that's why we favor a multidisciplinary approach to treatment," said Hebert in the release. Flores has also undergone radiation therapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. "Karla is doing really well — she's recovered from surgery and radiation and is ready to get back to work and school," Labib shared with Fox News Digital. "She's an incredibly brave young woman who has faced more than most her age. I expect that same strength of spirit will carry her into a promising future." Flores does have some nerve damage due to the tumor's proximity to the brain stem, which has caused some issues with movement of her left eye. "Learning about the spinal and brain tumors was terrifying, but I am so grateful the doctors were able to remove them," said Flores, who plans to go to school to become a manicurist. "I'm slowly recovering and with any problem I have, they help me," she continued. "I keep reminding myself to take one day at a time and know that each step is an accomplishment." Woman Says Dog Detected Her Breast Cancer Before Doctors Did: 'He's Known This Whole Time' Flores now plans to go to school to become a manicurist. Looking ahead, UMMC's team plans to demonstrate the transorbital procedure this fall to neurosurgeons from around the world, at their annual Skull Base surgery course. For more Health articles, visit "When you have such a broadened corridor to reach these tumors, you can completely remove them, which greatly reduces recurrence of the cancer," Labib told Fox News Digital. "We also have other patients who will be receiving similar surgeries in the near future."Original article source: Rare spinal cancer tumor removed through patient's eye at university hospital
Techday NZ
08-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Innovation forges a secure & sustainable technology future
Amid ongoing technological upheavals, industry leaders are using the occasion of World Technology Day to reflect on the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and resilience. At the forefront of these changes are companies specialising in cybersecurity and construction technology, sectors that are both shaping and being reshaped by digital transformation. Gopi Sirineni, CEO and Co-Founder of Axiado, a company focused on hardware-anchored, AI-driven security solutions, emphasised the crucial need for responsibility in the pursuit of innovation. "Innovation today is inseparable from responsibility. Empowering a sustainable tomorrow begins with building technology that advances and also endures. In cybersecurity, this means designing systems that are resilient by default, not patched after the fact," Sirineni commented. Sirineni highlighted the vulnerabilities traditional software-only security systems face, particularly in environments such as cloud data centres and 5G networks, which must now contend with increasingly sophisticated hardware-level threats. "Traditional, software-only security is no longer enough, especially in high-risk environments like data centres and 5G networks. These systems manage massive volumes of sensitive data and are increasingly targeted by sophisticated, hardware-level attacks. To protect them, we need security that's built into the hardware itself, resilient by design, not reactive," he stated. The Axiado chief stressed that the foundation of a sustainable digital future lies in trust—trust in the systems being built, the data being protected, and the people those systems serve. As technological innovation outpaces regulation and adapts to ever-more complex attack vectors, Sirineni called for building integrity, privacy, and resilience directly into next-generation technologies. "Innovation will always push boundaries. It's our responsibility to ensure those boundaries are reinforced with integrity, privacy, and resilience, so that what we build today continues to empower generations to come. Empowering the future means securing it first." In the construction technology sector, organisations are similarly embracing the fast-paced evolution of digital tools. Janak Vakharia, CEO of Xpedeon, a global provider of software solutions to the construction industry, noted the accelerating transformation driven by artificial intelligence, automation, and real-time data analytics. "On World Technology Day, we celebrate the boundless potential of innovation to transform industries and elevate human progress," Vakharia remarked. "At Xpedeon, our evolution from a traditional ERP provider to a global SaaS platform is rooted in a clear vision—to lead the next wave of digital transformation in the built environment." Vakharia underlined the changing landscape of the construction sector, often known as ConTech, where integrated intelligent systems are now central to how projects are conceived, executed, and maintained. "As the ConTech landscape rapidly advances, driven by AI, automation, and real-time data intelligence, we are committed to creating technologies that redefine how construction and engineering projects are designed, delivered, and scaled. The future of ConTech lies in intelligent, integrated systems that drive efficiency, sustainability, and agility, and we are proud to be at the forefront of that movement," he added. The push for sustainability and digitalisation is no longer limited to the creation of new tools; it encompasses a broader ethical mandate. Both Sirineni and Vakharia called for an industry-wide commitment to embedding security, resilience, and sustainability into the foundation of all technological progress. Their perspectives underscore a shared belief that long-term empowerment—whether of digital infrastructures or the built environment—rests on responsible stewardship and the continual reinvention of technology itself. As business landscapes shift, and digital threats and opportunities multiply, companies like Axiado and Xpedeon are striving to ensure that innovation serves not just the present, but also carries forward the promise of a secure, sustainable, and inclusive future.
The Independent
21-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Could you have endometriosis? These are the key symptoms
Heavy periods or pain in the pelvis is part of life for many. But these symptoms could point to something else going on within the body - endometriosis. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month - so there is no better time to tune into your body and question whether there is actually something going on. Understanding how the condition impacts your body and learning about potential treatments will boost quality of life. We've spoken to leading gynaecologists who have explained when it's time to request a doctor's appointment, starting with an overview of endometriosis and its key symptoms. What is endometriosis? 'Endometriosis is an oestrogen driven, chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, leading to various symptoms, including painful periods,' says Mr Hemant Vakharia, consultant gynaecologist, specialising in endometriosis and advanced minimal access surgery at London Gynaecology. What are the common symptoms, and how do they differ from typical menstrual cramps? Common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, known as dysmenorrhoea, which differ from typical menstrual cramps. 'Endometriotic cells are stimulated by hormones in your natural cycle which causes inflammation and pain,' explains Vakharia. Another typical sign is dyspareunia, the medical term for painful intercourse. 'The inflammation can lead to structures in the pelvis sticking together and also lead to thickening of tissues developing,' says Vakharia. 'As a result of the inflammation and thickening, patients with endometriosis can have pain with intercourse.' It can also impact your bowels. 'In patients who have endometriotic deposits on the bowel, or in those where the inflammation has caused their bowel to stick to other structures, it can be painful to open their bowels,' notes the endometriosis specialist. 'This can occur with their periods or all the time.' Other issues include chest pain when on your period, difficulty conceiving and ovarian cysts, adds Vakharia. 'If you suspect you have endometriosis it is a good idea to speak to your GP in the first instance who will take a history from you and examine you,' advises Vakharia. 'Often, they will request an ultrasound of the pelvis and discuss the results with you.' However, endometriosis does not always show up on standard imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs. 'This is especially true in superficial endometriosis where the signs can be very subtle or when the disease affects areas not easily visualised,' highlights Vakharia. 'If you have been told your scan is normal but have persistent symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, or pain during sex, it's essential to advocate for yourself and seek a specialist for further evaluation.' How can women differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe menstrual pain, and when should they seek medical help? 'It can be difficult to differentiate between 'normal' periods and 'heavy or painful' periods as there is often no objective way of comparing,' says Mr Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. 'A lot of women just put up with that 'time of the month' and are told to get on with it. 'However, if you have to put your life on hold for those few days or if your sex life is affected by pain during sex, it is time to take note and ask for some tests.' Pisal acknowledges that it can be challenging for a GP to identify the root cause during a 10-minute appointment, so suggests keeping a diary to track when your symptoms occur and how intense the pain is. 'Have a diary of your menstrual cycle with particular emphasis on heaviness, pain and any other symptoms with a system for indicating severity,' suggests Pisal. 'Also note down if you have to take painkillers and how many. If the symptoms are affecting your life and you have to take time off work, that is also a significant factor. ' But, it's also important to remember that not all patients who have painful, heavy periods and pain with intercourse will have endometriosis. 'Other conditions such as fibroids and adenomyosis can also cause this and in some patients, no cause is identified,' says Vakharia. ' Patients can be treated with the combined pill, progesterone-only pill, progesterone intrauterine device or surgery,' says Vakharia. 'Sometimes, we also use medications that induce a temporary menopause by blocking hormonal signals to the ovary which reduces stimulation of the endometriotic tissue. This option is often used before surgery for severe disease. 'A laparoscopy will allow diagnosis and excision of disease which can improve symptoms. In patients with severe disease, they may need a two-stage procedure.'
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Could your painful periods be endometriosis?
For many, the discomfort of heavy periods or pelvic pain is simply part of life, but it could also indicate endometriosis. With Endometriosis Awareness Month approaching in March, now is the perfect time to tune in to your body and learn more about this often misunderstood condition. Understanding how endometriosis affects your body and exploring treatment options can make a significant difference in managing symptoms and improving overall quality of life. We've spoken to leading gynaecologists who have explained when it's time to request a doctor's appointment, starting with an overview of endometriosis and its key symptoms. What is endometriosis? 'Endometriosis is an oestrogen driven, chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, leading to various symptoms, including painful periods,' says Mr Hemant Vakharia, consultant gynaecologist, specialising in endometriosis and advanced minimal access surgery at London Gynaecology. What are the common symptoms, and how do they differ from typical menstrual cramps? Common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, known as dysmenorrhoea, which differ from typical menstrual cramps. 'Endometriotic cells are stimulated by hormones in your natural cycle which causes inflammation and pain,' explains Vakharia. Another typical sign is dyspareunia, the medical term for painful intercourse. 'The inflammation can lead to structures in the pelvis sticking together and also lead to thickening of tissues developing,' says Vakharia. 'As a result of the inflammation and thickening, patients with endometriosis can have pain with intercourse.' It can also impact your bowels. 'In patients who have endometriotic deposits on the bowel, or in those where the inflammation has caused their bowel to stick to other structures, it can be painful to open their bowels,' notes the endometriosis specialist. 'This can occur with their periods or all the time.' Other issues include chest pain when on your period, difficulty conceiving and ovarian cysts, adds Vakharia. How is endometriosis diagnosed? 'If you suspect you have endometriosis it is a good idea to speak to your GP in the first instance who will take a history from you and examine you,' advises Vakharia. 'Often, they will request an ultrasound of the pelvis and discuss the results with you.' However, endometriosis does not always show up on standard imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs. 'This is especially true in superficial endometriosis where the signs can be very subtle or when the disease affects areas not easily visualised,' highlights Vakharia. 'If you have been told your scan is normal but have persistent symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, or pain during sex, it's essential to advocate for yourself and seek a specialist for further evaluation.' How can women differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe menstrual pain, and when should they seek medical help? 'It can be difficult to differentiate between 'normal' periods and 'heavy or painful' periods as there is often no objective way of comparing,' says Mr Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. 'A lot of women just put up with that 'time of the month' and are told to get on with it. 'However, if you have to put your life on hold for those few days or if your sex life is affected by pain during sex, it is time to take note and ask for some tests.' Pisal acknowledges that it can be challenging for a GP to identify the root cause during a 10-minute appointment, so suggests keeping a diary to track when your symptoms occur and how intense the pain is. 'Have a diary of your menstrual cycle with particular emphasis on heaviness, pain and any other symptoms with a system for indicating severity,' suggests Pisal. 'Also note down if you have to take painkillers and how many. If the symptoms are affecting your life and you have to take time off work, that is also a significant factor. ' But, it's also important to remember that not all patients who have painful, heavy periods and pain with intercourse will have endometriosis. 'Other conditions such as fibroids and adenomyosis can also cause this and in some patients, no cause is identified,' says Vakharia. ' Patients can be treated with the combined pill, progesterone-only pill, progesterone intrauterine device or surgery,' says Vakharia. 'Sometimes, we also use medications that induce a temporary menopause by blocking hormonal signals to the ovary which reduces stimulation of the endometriotic tissue. This option is often used before surgery for severe disease. 'A laparoscopy will allow diagnosis and excision of disease which can improve symptoms. In patients with severe disease, they may need a two-stage procedure.'
