Have
you encountered this big word “otolaryngology”? Quite a mouthful indeed! It
comprises of four root words put together to form a new medical term: otic (of
the ear), olfactory (pertaining to the nose) and larynx (or the throat) and
logy (the study or the care of). Hence, it simply refers to the medical study
and care of diseases and problems that beset our ears, nose and throat.
Whereas,
previously the eyes were part of the three in the former medical acronym EENT,
ENT (shorter and simpler way) now refers only to the said vital three organs of
the human anatomy, particularly because they are directly interrelated not only
in their proximity to one another but also in their functions. The eyes
comprise a highly-specialized function although not entirely unrelated to that
of the three.
So,
what is otolarynologic method used for tumors? Let us first describe briefly the
connection of the three for a better appreciation of what Dr. Isaacs
can offer for patients suffering this kind of problem.
The
nose, perhaps, the most prominent of the three, is connected to the throat as
well as throat through passageways that allow the air we breathe to be
conducted into our lungs. Although the ear was not designed as an air passage,
it does allow air to enter through the ear canal with the help of valves that
control the intake or outtake. Often, when we cough or sneeze, we can feel some
air forced out of our ears and even experience slight deafening when we have
colds because of some clogging of the passageways. At times, when we travel up
the mountain, we can have the same effect when the pressure inside our ears is
higher than that outside. Yawning can easily remove the discomfort by opening
up the valves and equalizing the pressure in and out.
That
is a simple description of the three organs as they relate with one another at
their optimal level of functioning. But what if something happens to either one
of these organs? Or especially, for example, if a tumor grows in any one of
them? We know that cancer cells can occur in any part of the human body. For
smokers, often the effect on the throat (not to mention the lungs) is patently
tragic as it bears the brunt of the toxins and carcinogens carried by the
cigarette smoke.
Dr.
Rich Isaacs’ expertise will remove tumors or cancer cells from the throat, as
well as the ears and nose, through his wide knowledge and experience in otolaryngologic
procedures obtained from many years of practice in this field, among other
fields he is involved in. His know-how regarding how these organs function and
how they can malfunction forms a strong foundation for treating them whenever
issues in structure, function and general muscular or cellular conditions
arise.
Dr.
Isaacs provides a complete range of diagnostic, medical, and
surgical services for ear, nose, and throat conditions, particularly
cancer. Evaluation, diagnosis and/or direct treatment of these conditions which
may include chronic ear infections, hearing loss, sinusitis, tonsillitis,
airway problems, cysts, and tumors of the head and neck, comprise some of the
problems he and his staff are capable of addressing with their professional and
expert care.
Dr. Richard Isaacs
has practiced with Kaiser Permanente from 1995 to the present and has Advanced
Certification in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery to his name. He specializes,
in particular, in orbital, nasal, and maxillofacial surgery and also in thyroid
and parathyroid surgery. His many years of experience in otolaryngologic
procedure for tumors at the skull base has made him a valuable regional
resource for the treatment of advanced tumors of the head and neck.
