Tests & Procedures
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Find out what to expect during a 3D mammogram to look for breast cancer. Learn how this newer test compares to a standard mammogram.
Last Updated: Sep 16, 2022A
Learn more about the preparation for and results of this common diabetes blood test.
Last Updated: Dec 1, 2022An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is one test used to help determine if you have an autoimmune disease such as lupus.
Last Updated: Aug 17, 2022Learn who may benefit from this cardiac catheter procedure to correct persistent atrial fibrillation, or AFib.
Last Updated: Jan 6, 2024Learn why surgery to remove the uterus, known as a hysterectomy, might be done and what to expect if you need this surgery.
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2023An ultrasound of the abdomen is the preferred test to screen for an aortic aneurysm. But it may be done for other health reasons, too. Learn why.
Last Updated: Oct 5, 2022Learn about why doctors may recommend active surveillance for prostate cancer and what to expect.
Last Updated: Nov 15, 2023Practitioners use this integrative medicine technique to treat common problems such as back pain, neck pain and joint pain to influence energy flow.
Last Updated: Apr 20, 2024Learn what to expect from this surgery that involves removing an adrenal gland.
Last Updated: Dec 10, 2022Allergy shots offer long-term relief from allergy symptoms. The treatments take 3 to 5 years to complete.
Last Updated: Apr 13, 2024Considering skin testing for your allergies? Learn about the risks, results and what to expect during testing.
Last Updated: Mar 26, 2024Learn about this type of bone marrow transplant using stem cells from donor blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024Find out about this prenatal test that checks the fluid surrounding the baby during pregnancy.
Last Updated: Oct 7, 2022Find out more about this test for peripheral artery disease.
Last Updated: Aug 20, 2022If you have a leaky heart valve, this treatment to repair a ring around the valve may be recommended. Learn when and how it's done.
Last Updated: Apr 5, 2024Learn more about this complex heart surgery done where the body's main artery, known as the aorta, meets the heart.
Last Updated: Jan 18, 2023These types of heart valve surgeries are done to treat aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation.
Last Updated: Jun 11, 2024Learn more about this procedure that uses a slim fiber-optic camera to diagnose and treat joint problems.
Last Updated: Aug 19, 2022Learn how heat or cold energy can treat an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024This treatment uses heat energy to treat a rapid, fluttering heartbeat. Know why and when it's done.
Last Updated: Apr 5, 2024Understand this type of bone marrow transplant that uses your own blood stem cells to treat blood disorders and cancers.
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024Awake brain surgery is performed while you are awake and alert. This type of brain surgery may be used to treat some brain tumors or epileptic seizures.
Last Updated: May 7, 2019B
Find out what to expect if you're considering a blood test to determine if you have an increased risk of breast cancer. Learn what your results might mean.
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2023Bariatric surgery can be a helpful weight loss tool — but it's not for everyone. Learn about available procedures and the risks and results of surgery.
Last Updated: Jul 5, 2024Find out how to prepare and what to expect if your doctor has recommended a barium enema.
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2024Learn the steps for tracking body temperature for pregnancy or contraception. Find out when during your menstrual cycle you're more likely to be fertile.
Last Updated: Feb 10, 2023Learn about a two-part weight-loss procedure that involves making the stomach smaller and reconnecting parts of the small intestine.
Last Updated: Jul 30, 2024Find out what to expect from a bilirubin test — an important blood test that determines how your liver is functioning.
Last Updated: Oct 8, 2022This technique teaches you to control your body's functions, such as your heart rate and breathing patterns. It can be helpful for a variety of health problems.
Last Updated: Mar 18, 2023Learn how to use this type of birth control that delivers estrogen and progestin through a patch you wear on your skin to prevent pregnancy.
Last Updated: Feb 9, 2023Learn about new ways to surgically remove the bladder and rebuild another urinary system.
Last Updated: Jul 2, 2024Learn what's involved and the risks, as well as what kind of results you can expect from this eyelid surgery.
Last Updated: Jun 24, 2022Learn what these donations involve and what the risks are.
Last Updated: May 25, 2022Find out what to expect during blood donation and how your blood will be used to help others.
Last Updated: Nov 30, 2023Learn how this simple test is done, how often you need one and what the results mean.
Last Updated: Jul 3, 2024A blood transfusion can help replace blood lost due to surgery or injury. It also can help if an illness prevents your body from making blood correctly.
Last Updated: Apr 27, 2022Learn about the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test to assess kidney function and what possible results could mean.
Last Updated: Aug 5, 2023If your doctor suspects you have osteoporosis, a bone density test can assess your bone strength. Learn about the risks and results of this procedure.
Last Updated: Sep 21, 2022Learn what to expect with these tests, which are done to make sure your bone marrow is healthy.
Last Updated: Dec 1, 2022Learn about this procedure that replaces unhealthy bone marrow with stem cells. Your own cells, donor cells or cells from umbilical cord blood may be used.
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024This diagnostic test can be used to check for cancer that has spread to the bones, skeletal pain that can't be explained, bone infection or a bone injury.
Last Updated: Apr 2, 2024Learn about the uses, risks and results of this treatment for facial wrinkles and medical conditions, such as migraine and heavy sweating.
Last Updated: Mar 10, 2023During brachytherapy cancer treatment, radioactive material is placed inside the body. Find out how brachytherapy is done and who it's for.
Last Updated: Jun 19, 2024This procedure delivers precise radiation therapy to treat brain tumors and other brain conditions.
Last Updated: Jul 21, 2023Learn more about how this imaging test helps diagnose cancer and when it's used.
Last Updated: Sep 22, 2023Find out about surgery to increase breast size, as well as the risks, benefits, possible complications and follow-up care.
Last Updated: Jun 21, 2024Learn about this test that's used to diagnose breast cancer, including why it's done, risks and what to expect.
Last Updated: Aug 25, 2023Learn about the services available to help you feel better during and after breast cancer treatment.
Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024Learn about the types of operations used to treat breast cancer, including lumpectomy, mastectomy, lymph node surgery and breast reconstruction.
Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024Learn more about this procedure that reshapes and raises the breasts.
Last Updated: Jul 7, 2022Find out what to expect if you're considering breast reconstruction. Learn about the options, incuding TRAM, DIEP and latissimus dorsi flap procedures.
Last Updated: Dec 28, 2022Find out what to expect if you're considering breast reconstruction with breast implants after mastectomy. Includes pre-pectoral implant placement.
Last Updated: Dec 28, 2022Find out more about this surgery to remove fat, breast tissue and skin from the breasts.
Last Updated: Jun 29, 2024Being aware of the look and feel of your breasts may make it more likely that you'll notice any changes that could be signs of breast cancer.
Last Updated: Jul 24, 2024A doctor inserts a small, flexible tube through your mouth or nose into your lungs to look at your air passages and find the cause of a lung problem.
Last Updated: Mar 7, 2023Learn about this surgery that can raise sagging brows and reduce wrinkles on the forehead. Also understand the possible risks of the procedure.
Last Updated: Sep 1, 2022Find out how this surgery can change your appearance. Also learn about the possible risks of the procedure.
Last Updated: Aug 19, 2022C
This simple blood test measures inflammation in the body. The results help diagnose infection and, sometimes, predict the risk of heart attack.
Last Updated: Dec 22, 2022Learn the reasons this surgical procedure to deliver a baby is done, the risks and tips for recovery.
Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022Learn how doctors use this blood test to measure levels of a tumor marker associated with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and other types of cancer.
Last Updated: Mar 31, 2022Learn how COVID-19 antibody testing is done to find out if you've had a past infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019.
Last Updated: Dec 20, 2022Find out how to test to learn if you're infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
Last Updated: Jul 18, 2024Learn about the risks and results of this imaging test that looks at the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Last Updated: Jun 11, 2024This imaging test helps detect internal injuries and disease by providing cross-sectional images of bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the body.
Last Updated: May 7, 2024Here's what to expect from the canalith repositioning procedure, a series of simple, effective maneuvers to help relieve a certain type of vertigo.
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2022Cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are often combined to cure or control various cancers.
Last Updated: Jul 26, 2024This procedure involves swallowing a tiny capsule with a camera inside to get a view of the inside of the digestive tract. Find out what to expect.
Last Updated: Oct 10, 2023Heat or cold energy applied to the heart can correct rapid or erratic heartbeats. Know when you might need this treatment and the risks.
Last Updated: Feb 2, 2024Find out more about this minimally invasive procedure that can diagnose and treat heart problems, including what's involved in the test and the risks.
Last Updated: Aug 22, 2023Learn more about this personalized program to improve heart health through exercise, education and support.
Last Updated: Mar 21, 2023This heart failure treatment uses a pacemaker or a pacemaker with a defibrillator. Know when the treatment is needed.
Last Updated: Apr 23, 2024Learn what to expect during this treatment to reset the heart rhythm.
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024This procedure opens a clogged artery to restore blood flow to the brain — and saves you from a stroke.
Last Updated: Jul 30, 2022This procedure removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery to help reduce your risk of stroke.
Last Updated: Dec 11, 2018This test examines the blood flow through the arteries in the neck that deliver blood from the heart to the brain.
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2023Cataract surgery — Overview covers risks, complications, results of this eye surgery.
Last Updated: Sep 9, 2023Learn about your options and what to expect with this skin-resurfacing procedure that removes layers of your skin with a chemical solution.
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat many types of cancer. Learn why it's done, side effects and what to expect during chemotherapy treatment.
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024Learn how doctors use this drug treatment to kill rapidly growing breast cancer cells. Find out about chemotherapy side effects and what you can expect.
Last Updated: Oct 6, 2022Learn what these chest images can show and what conditions they may uncover.
Last Updated: Jun 20, 2024Chiropractors apply a controlled, sudden force to individual spinal joints to improve mobility and relieve discomfort.
Last Updated: Sep 30, 2022Does your gallbladder need to come out? Find out what happens during this common surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder.
Last Updated: Oct 3, 2023Measuring the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood can help predict your risk of blocked arteries in your heart and brain.
Last Updated: Feb 20, 2024Learn about the benefits and risks of surgery to remove the skin that covers the tip of the penis.
Last Updated: Apr 20, 2024This electronic device improves hearing in people who have severe hearing loss from inner ear damage.
Last Updated: Apr 26, 2024Becoming aware of inaccurate or negative thinking can help you view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2019If you're having colon surgery, learn what to expect, the risks and how to prepare.
Last Updated: Nov 8, 2022Colonoscopy is one option for colon cancer screening. Find out what to expect during this procedure to examine the inside of your colon.
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2024Find out why colposcopy is done and what to expect during an exam to diagnose cancer and other problems affecting the cervix, vagina and vulva.
Last Updated: May 11, 2024This oral contraceptive contains both estrogen and progestin to keep you from ovulating. These medicines prevent pregnancy and can have other benefits.
Last Updated: Jan 13, 2023Learn what to expect from having this common blood test, why it's done and how to prepare.
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2023Learn more about this imaging exam used to diagnose urinary tract disorders.
Last Updated: Sep 9, 2023These screening tools help measure brain function after head trauma and help athletes at risk of head injuries.
Last Updated: Sep 1, 2023Learn about the benefits, risks and effectiveness of this type of long-acting, reversible birth control.
Last Updated: Jul 2, 2024Convalescent plasma therapy uses blood from people who've recovered from an illness, such as COVID-19, to help others recover.
Last Updated: Jul 21, 2023A copper intrauterine device offers a hormone-free option for long-acting, reversible birth control.
Last Updated: Mar 1, 2022This procedure uses donor tissue to restore vision and reduce pain from cornea disease. Our overview helps you understand the risks and benefits of this sight-saving operation.
Last Updated: Nov 3, 2022Learn more about this heart disease test that uses X-ray imaging to see the heart's blood vessels.
Last Updated: Dec 6, 2023Coronary angioplasty and stents can open clogged blood vessels that deliver blood to heart muscles.
Last Updated: Nov 7, 2023This major heart surgery, also called CABG, creates a new route for blood to flow around a blocked artery. Learn why it's done and know the steps to take during recovery.
Last Updated: Jan 20, 2024This heart CT test can show calcium deposits in the blood vessels. Know how the findings relate to your heart disease risk.
Last Updated: Jul 22, 2023These shots can help relieve pain, swelling and irritation. Potential side effects generally limit the number of cortisone shots you can receive in one year.
Last Updated: Sep 21, 2023The goal of this type of surgery is to improve your appearance. It can involve large changes, so it's important to understand what to expect.
Last Updated: Jun 21, 2024Learn the brain conditions that are treated with this surgery that involves removing a piece of the skull. Also find out what you can expect during surgery.
Last Updated: Jul 30, 2024Creatinine test — Overview covers definition, preparation, results of this common blood test.
Last Updated: Feb 9, 2023Find out how very cold temperatures are used to freeze tissue and treat prostate cancer. Learn about the side effects and potential benefits of cryotherapy.
Last Updated: Apr 27, 2023During cystoscopy, your doctor examines the inside of your bladder using a special instrument that's inserted into the bladder through the urethra.
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2022CYP450 tests may help determine how your body metabolizes an antidepressant based on how genes affect your body's response to medication.
Last Updated: Jul 24, 2018D
Find out more about deceased-donor kidney transplant, a treatment for end-stage kidney disease.
Last Updated: Jun 14, 2024Learn how electrical stimulation of the brain can be used to treat conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
Last Updated: Sep 19, 2023A procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts, which are topped with artificial teeth, giving you the look and function of real teeth.
Last Updated: Jan 29, 2019Depo-Provera, a contraceptive injection that's given every three months, contains the hormone progestin to help protect from unintended pregnancy.
Last Updated: Feb 22, 2022Find out how this skin-resurfacing procedure can change the appearance of your skin.
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2022Learn what to expect during this procedure, how a doctor performs it to remove uterine tissue and what to watch out for during recovery.
Last Updated: Nov 7, 2023This imaging test helps determine if an irregular disk in your spine is causing your back pain.
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2024This surgical procedure removes the damaged portion of a herniated disk in the spine. It's most effective for pain radiating down the arms or legs.
Last Updated: Jul 24, 2024In this surgical procedure, a healthy kidney is removed from a living donor for transplant into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly.
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2024E
Brain cells communicate through electrical impulses, activity an EEG detects. An altered pattern of electrical impulses can help diagnose conditions.
Last Updated: May 29, 2024The extractable nuclear antigen panel, known as the ENA test, panel is a blood test. It is done to look for antibodies associated with certain autoimmune diseases.
Last Updated: Jun 23, 2023An electrophysiology study can show the cause of irregular heart rhythms and guide treatment. Know when it's done and the risks.
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2024Learn about this cosmetic procedure, which is done to rebuild an ear. Understand the risks and learn what to expect after surgery.
Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024Learn about the procedure for placing ear tubes used to treat middle ear problems.
Last Updated: Jun 13, 2023Find out more about this imaging test that uses sound waves to view the heart and heart valves.
Last Updated: Jan 31, 2023Elbow replacement surgery can be complicated because of the intricate nature of the joint. Learn about Mayo Clinic's approach.
Last Updated: May 22, 2024This common test checks the heartbeat. It can help diagnose heart attacks and heart rhythm disorders such as AFib. Know when an ECG is done.
Last Updated: Apr 2, 2024This procedure can greatly and rapidly improve severe symptoms of depression, mania, catatonia or other mental health conditions.
Last Updated: May 30, 2024Electromyography (EMG) is a procedure used to diagnose muscle or nerve dysfunction. Learn what to expect from your EMG.
Last Updated: May 21, 2019This surgery that destroys the lining of the uterus treats unusual uterine bleeding. Learn about the risks and what to expect during the procedure.
Last Updated: Dec 20, 2022Endoscopic mucosal resection, a procedure to remove abnormal tissue from the lining of the digestive tract, is used for both diagnosis and treatment.
Last Updated: Jun 11, 2022This weight-loss procedure is done using a flexible tube passed down through the throat — with no cuts on the outside of the body.
Last Updated: Sep 29, 2023Learn about this imaging test that uses both endoscopy and ultrasound. The test helps diagnose diseases related to digestion and the lungs.
Last Updated: Jul 2, 2024Surgery may provide relief from epileptic seizures when medications aren't working.
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2022This test involves placing a thin, pressure-sensitive tube through your nose into your esophagus to measure pressure as you swallow.
Last Updated: Mar 5, 2022This surgery is commonly used to treat cancer in the esophagus. Find out what to expect.
Last Updated: May 18, 2024Learn about the risks and results of this procedure, which is used to deliver radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Last Updated: May 10, 2023This procedure helps the heart and lungs work during recovery from a serious illness or injury.
Last Updated: Jun 15, 2024F
Learn about this complex surgery that uses donor tissue to replace all or part of a person's face.
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2024This cosmetic surgery can give your face a younger shape and look. Understand the risks and benefits of this procedure.
Last Updated: Aug 4, 2022Learn about procedures that can change facial features to better match gender identity.
Last Updated: May 14, 2024Find out more about facial injections, also called soft tissue fillers, that can temporarily smooth wrinkles.
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2022Learn how these procedures can allow people with facial paralysis to regain the ability to smile and make other facial expressions.
Last Updated: Jun 21, 2024Learn how healthcare professionals use fecal occult blood tests, such as the fecal immunochemical test, to screen for colon cancer.
Last Updated: Jul 12, 2024Find out more about feminizing hormonal treatment used to better align the body with a person's gender identity.
Last Updated: Jul 12, 2024Find out how feminizing surgical procedures can help better align the body with a person's gender identity.
Last Updated: May 14, 2024This test measures a blood protein that contains iron. The test shows whether blood has too much or too little iron.
Last Updated: Dec 19, 2023This procedure is done on an unborn baby (fetus) in the mother's uterus to improve outcomes of children with certain birth defects, such as spina bifida.
Last Updated: Mar 24, 2021Learn about this alternative to colonoscopy to screen for and detect polyps or cancer in the lower part of the colon.
Last Updated: Mar 5, 2022G
Gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss surgery that reduces your stomach to the size of a walnut. Learn about its risks and benefits.
Last Updated: Jun 25, 2022Learn how voice therapy and surgery can help achieve a communication style to match gender identity.
Last Updated: May 14, 2024In this procedure, specialists aim to fix or replace a faulty gene to try to cure a disease or make the body better able to fight a disease.
Last Updated: Apr 23, 2024This sleep-like state during surgery allows you to undergo major medical procedures without feeling pain.
Last Updated: Feb 16, 2023Genetic testing: Learn why it's done, how to prepare and what to expect from diagnostic tests, carrier tests, prenatal tests and newborn screening.
Last Updated: Apr 14, 2020Know how to prepare for this gestational diabetes screening test.
Last Updated: Sep 8, 2023These simple blood tests are performed to screen for diabetes. Your healthcare professional may suggest one or more of these tests depending on your risk factors.
Last Updated: May 3, 2024H
Find out what to expect during a HIDA scan — a nuclear imaging procedure used to diagnose liver, gallbladder and bile duct problems.
Last Updated: Jun 2, 2023This test can help show the risk of cervical cancer. Learn more about how to prepare and what the results may mean.
Last Updated: Jul 13, 2024Find out what's involved in this surgery in which someone with an amputation receives one or two hands from a donor.
Last Updated: May 11, 2022Replacing a failing heart with a donor heart is an end-stage treatment for heart disease when other treatments for heart problems haven't worked.
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024Learn more about surgery to treat heart valve disease, which involves repairing or replacing affected heart valves.
Last Updated: Nov 4, 2023Learn about this red blood cell blood test, including why it's used and what to expect.
Last Updated: Sep 19, 2023Learn about hemodialysis and the risks and benefits of this procedure to treat kidney failure.
Last Updated: Aug 5, 2023Learn why this blood test is done, how to prepare for it and what the results might mean.
Last Updated: Apr 12, 2024Hip replacement may be an option if your hip pain interferes with daily activities and nonsurgical treatments haven't helped.
Last Updated: Apr 22, 2022This wearable device keeps track of the heart's rhythm during daily activities. Learn when you might need one and what to expect.
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2024Learn how Mayo Clinic specialists help you maintain your feeding tube at home.
Last Updated: Feb 16, 2024Learn about home parenteral nutrition treatment at Mayo Clinic and the situations in which this specialized form of food infused through a vein is used.
Last Updated: Dec 23, 2017This birth control device gives long-acting protection that can be reversed.
Last Updated: Apr 11, 2024Find out how hormone therapy is used to treat breast cancer. Learn about risks and what to expect during this treatment for ER and PR positive breast cancers.
Last Updated: Mar 22, 2023Find out what to expect during testosterone-blocking therapy. Learn about choices, including medicines and surgery.
Last Updated: Jun 9, 2023This type of therapy is a well-known treatment for decompression sickness, but it has many surprising uses. Find out about why and how oxygen can heal the body.
Last Updated: Dec 2, 2023Find out about this changed state of awareness and the conditions it may help.
Last Updated: Nov 17, 2022I
This surgery removes the large intestine. It's often done to treat ulcerative colitis and other bowel conditions.
Last Updated: Jun 26, 2024Learn how imaging tests are used during radiation therapy to deliver treatment precisely, increasing effectiveness and reducing side effects.
Last Updated: Apr 5, 2023This cardiac therapy device delivers shocks to control dangerous heart rhythms. Learn when you might need an ICD and how it's placed in the chest.
Last Updated: Aug 15, 2023Learn how this implanted device records your heartbeat and know when you might need one.
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2023Learn what to expect from this assisted reproductive technology used to treat infertility.
Last Updated: Sep 1, 2023Integrative medicine combines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices with conventional medicine.
Last Updated: Sep 13, 2022An intragastric balloon is a silicone balloon filled with saline. It's inserted into the stomach to create a feeling of fullness and aid in weight loss.
Last Updated: Oct 14, 2023Find out how neurosurgeons use intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) during brain surgery.
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2024Learn more about how this infertility treatment is done and what to expect.
Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023An intravenous pyelogram is an imaging exam that may be used to help diagnose urinary tract disorders. Learn what to expect during the exam.
Last Updated: Dec 6, 2022J
Jaw surgery corrects irregularities of the jaw bones and realigns the jaws and teeth to improve the way they work and it often improves appearance.
Last Updated: Jan 3, 2018K
During a kidney biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of kidney tissue to view under a microscope to diagnose kidney problems and guide treatment decisions.
Last Updated: Jan 25, 2023Find out about the different types of kidney transplants — surgeries that are done to treat kidney failure.
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024Knee replacement surgery can relieve pain and restore function to a knee joint that's severely damaged, usually by arthritis.
Last Updated: Dec 21, 2022L
Learn about this common type of laser eye surgery to correct vision problems and what to expect before, during and after surgery.
Last Updated: Aug 2, 2023Know what to expect during this procedure to start labor before it begins on its own.
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024Removing the rear part of a vertebra, called the lamina, makes extra space in the spinal canal. This can relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Last Updated: Jul 25, 2024Laryngotracheal reconstruction surgery — Comprehensive overview covers why it's done and what's involved with the procedure.
Last Updated: Jul 30, 2020A larynx or trachea transplant may help people who have severe damage to their throat. It may result in the ability to breathe through the mouth, swallow better and speak.
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light to reduce unwanted hair long term.
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024Explore your options and learn what to expect from this treatment to improve the appearance of your facial skin.
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024Learn about this surgery that removes fat and shapes areas of the body. Understand the risks, what to expect and how to prepare.
Last Updated: Apr 11, 2023Examining liver tissue can be a vital step in diagnosing and treating many liver conditions. Find out what to expect from this important procedure.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2023Liver function tests can help determine how well your liver is doing its job. Find out what to expect and what results are considered standard.
Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023Learn what to expect before and after this important treatment option for patients with liver failure.
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024Find out more about living-donor kidney transplant, an option instead of deceased-donor kidney transplant.
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024Learn about this surgery that uses a portion of a liver from a healthy living donor to replace another person's liver that's not working properly.
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2024This surgery uses a living donor's organ, such as a kidney or portion of a liver, to replace another person's organ that no longer works properly.
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024Learn about lumbar puncture, which removes a sample of cerebrospinal fluid to find infections, bleeding and other conditions. It also is called a spinal tap.
Last Updated: May 4, 2024Learn what to expect from this breast-conserving surgical procedure.
Last Updated: Nov 8, 2022Doctors recommend lung CT scans to look for signs of lung cancer in current and former heavy smokers. Find out what to expect during lung cancer screening.
Last Updated: Feb 7, 2024Learn what's involved in this major surgery that replaces a diseased or failing lung with a healthy lung, and what you can expect after the procedure.
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024Lung volume reduction surgery helps some people with severe emphysema breathe easier. Diseased lung tissue is removed so the remaining tissue works better.
Last Updated: Dec 16, 2023M
Learn more about how to prepare for this painless diagnostic test that creates detailed pictures of the inside of the body without using radiation.
Last Updated: Sep 9, 2023This newer, noninvasive imaging test is used to find out how serious certain liver diseases are.
Last Updated: May 29, 2024Learn what to expect during a breast X-ray exam. Find out about the benefits of mammograms for breast cancer screening, as well as potential risks.
Last Updated: Aug 25, 2023Find out more about masculinizing hormonal treatment used to better align the body with a person's gender identity.
Last Updated: Jul 12, 2024Find out how masculinizing surgical procedures can help better align the body with a person's gender identity.
Last Updated: May 14, 2024Learn about this operation to remove the breast tissue from one or both breasts. Find out about risks, results and what you can expect.
Last Updated: Nov 3, 2023Find out who may benefit from this treatment to correct a rapid and chaotic heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
Last Updated: Apr 2, 2024Learn what to expect when medicine is used to end a pregnancy, including side effects, risks and possible complications.
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024Find out more about this mind-body practice and its possible health benefits.
Last Updated: Feb 10, 2024Learn more about this surgery that uses small incisions in the chest as an option to open-heart surgery.
Last Updated: Jul 13, 2023Learn more about laparoscopy or robotic surgical techniques, which may mean less pain and a shorter hospital stay.
Last Updated: Sep 23, 2023This oral contraceptive, sometimes called the minipill, contains only the hormone progestin and no estrogen.
Last Updated: Jan 13, 2023If you have a leaky or stiff mitral valve, you may need heart surgery. Learn about the different procedures used to repair or replace this valve.
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2024Find out what to expect during this skin cancer surgery that involves removing thin layers of skin until only cancer-free tissue remains.
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2022Learn about this breast cancer screening test that's sometimes used in addition to mammograms, especially for those with dense breast tissue.
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2024This type of emergency birth control can help prevent a pregnancy after sex if protection wasn't used or didn't work.
Last Updated: Jul 2, 2024This surgical procedure to treat uterine fibroids tries to preserve fertility using a variety of approaches.
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2022N
Find out how this cosmetic procedure removes excess skin and fat around the jaw line to create a more youthful appearance.
Last Updated: Mar 4, 2023Common needle biopsy procedures include fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy.
Last Updated: Aug 20, 2022Learn about bladder reconstruction to restore urinary function after bladder removal surgery, including how it's done and possible complications.
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024Learn about surgery to remove all or part of a kidney.
Last Updated: Aug 11, 2023Nondirected living donor — Find out what becoming a good Samaritan, also called nondirected, living organ donor means to transplantation.
Last Updated: May 14, 2024This type of stress test uses a tiny bit of radioactive material to look for changes in blood flow to the heart. Know why it's done and how to prepare.
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2023O
Learn about the risks, recovery and what to expect during surgery to remove the ovaries.
Last Updated: Apr 17, 2024Learn about the benefits and limitations of tests to detect mouth cancer.
Last Updated: Nov 15, 2023Learn about this surgery that can change the appearance of the ears. Understand risks and what results to expect afterward.
Last Updated: Sep 5, 2024P
Learn about this prostate cancer screening test, including why it's done, what to expect, risks and results.
Last Updated: Apr 27, 2023This cardiac pacing device is placed in the chest to help control the heartbeat. Know when you might need one.
Last Updated: Jul 8, 2023Learn what to expect with this care approach that offers symptom relief for seriously ill people of any age.
Last Updated: Jun 6, 2023Pancreas transplant offers a potential cure for people with serious complications from diabetes. Learn what to expect before and after this procedure.
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is used for cervical cancer screening. Learn how it's done and what the results might mean.
Last Updated: Jul 20, 2024Learn how this test may affect how Parkinson's disease is diagnosed in the future.
Last Updated: Oct 13, 2023This surgery can treat injuries and conditions that are present at birth and that affect the neck area of the spine.
Last Updated: Jan 24, 2024Find out what happens during this exam, why it might be needed and how to prepare.
Last Updated: May 24, 2023Explore your choices and learn what to expect from penile implant surgery.
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024Find out how this device can be placed on your penis to create an erection.
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2023Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a procedure for removing large kidney stones. Learn how it's done.
Last Updated: Apr 26, 2022Find out what to expect during and after PICC line insertion. Learn about why it's done and potential PICC line complications.
Last Updated: Jun 6, 2023Learn how this treatment for kidney failure compares to traditional dialysis.
Last Updated: May 2, 2023Your health care provider may order this test if a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea is suspected. Learn how to prepare and what to expect.
Last Updated: Feb 17, 2023Learn how this imaging scan can play an important role in early detection of health problems, such as cancer, heart disease and brain disorders.
Last Updated: Apr 18, 2023Learn how precision medicine uses genetic testing and drug-gene testing (pharmacogenomics) to diagnose, treat and prevent breast cancer.
Last Updated: Oct 19, 2021Find out more about preemptive kidney transplant – an alternative to dialysis for treatment of end-stage kidney disease – and what to expect.
Last Updated: May 14, 2024Find out about this procedure that's used to diagnose prostate cancer. Learn about the risks, how to prepare and what you can expect.
Last Updated: Apr 27, 2023Learn about this type of radiation therapy for prostate cancer that involves placing radioactive seeds or wires in the prostate gland.
Last Updated: Nov 18, 2023Prostate laser surgery — Overview covers the risks and results of this treatment to relieve symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.
Last Updated: Jul 22, 2023Learn about surgical options and advances in prostatectomy, including robotic surgery, as well as the risks involved with each approach.
Last Updated: Nov 24, 2022This simple test measures how quickly your blood clots. Find out why it's done and what to expect.
Last Updated: Nov 30, 2022Learn about this newer form of radiation therapy, used to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors, and how it's different from X-ray radiation.
Last Updated: Jul 22, 2023Also called talk therapy, this is an approach for treating mental health issues by talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist or another mental health provider.
Last Updated: Apr 11, 2023A congenital heart defect can cause a leaky or blocked pulmonary valve. Know the symptoms and how it's treated.
Last Updated: May 7, 2024This type of cardiac ablation uses heat or cold energy to treat atrial fibrillation. Learn how it's done and when you might need this treatment.
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2024R
Radiation therapy is a common means of treating many types of cancer. Find out what to expect during your radiation therapy treatment.
Last Updated: Jul 2, 2024Find out why doctors use radiation treat breast cancer. Learn what to expect and the side effects of breast cancer radiation, including proton therapy.
Last Updated: Oct 6, 2022Painful neck, back, knee, shoulder or hip? Radiofrequency neurotomy may quiet nerves that cause pain. Learn about this targeted treatment.
Last Updated: Apr 6, 2024This surgery is done to repair a condition in which the lining of the rectum slips out of the anus. Learn about surgical options, risks and results.
Last Updated: Jul 25, 2023What's an Rh factor blood test? Understand this important test that's done during pregnancy.
Last Updated: Jul 29, 2022Rheumatoid factor — This blood test can help diagnose autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome and lupus.
Last Updated: Aug 26, 2023Learn about the benefits, risks and what to expect during nose surgery.
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2023Want to know the best time of month to conceive or avoid pregnancy? The rhythm method is a natural form of family planning that can help. Learn the steps.
Last Updated: Mar 7, 2023Robotic hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the uterus.
Last Updated: Dec 28, 2022Learn about this minimally invasive procedure to remove uterine fibroids that may reduce pain, blood loss and recovery time.
Last Updated: Jun 6, 2023Robotic systems can help surgeons increase precision, flexibility and control for many procedures. Learn about the advantages and availability of robot-assisted surgery.
Last Updated: Apr 13, 2024S
SPECT scans use radioactive tracers and special cameras to create images of your internal organs. Find out what to expect during your SPECT.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2024Discover how cold or heat energy is used to correct fast and erratic heartbeats, such as atrial tachycardia and AV node reentrant tachycardia.
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2024Learn what's involved in this treatment for varicose veins, including the risks and what to expect.
Last Updated: Feb 3, 2023Sed rate is a blood test that can reveal inflammatory activity in your body. It's often used to help diagnose conditions affecting your joints or muscles.
Last Updated: Sep 21, 2023Learn what to expect during this procedure to remove lymph nodes for testing. The results can show whether cancer has spread.
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022Learn how this nose surgery can straighten the wall of bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils. The surgery opens the nasal passages, making breathing easier.
Last Updated: Dec 15, 2023This procedure replaces damaged areas of the shoulder joint with implants made of metal and plastic. It can sometimes be done as same-day surgery.
Last Updated: Feb 2, 2024Learn when this test is helpful in diagnosing or treating skin conditions and what to expect during the procedure.
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2023Learn about sleeve gastrectomy, a type of weight-loss surgery that involves removing part of the stomach to make it smaller.
Last Updated: Jun 25, 2022This procedure connects two or more bones in the spine. The bones then can't move, which helps ease neck or back pain.
Last Updated: Dec 28, 2022This common test shows how well your lungs work and helps diagnose conditions that affect the ability to breathe.
Last Updated: May 14, 2024The spleen helps you fight infection, but you can live without it if you have to. Learn about the risks and results of this surgery to remove the spleen.
Last Updated: Jul 12, 2022This type of radiotherapy uses highly targeted radiation beams to treat tumors in all parts of the body.
Last Updated: Jan 31, 2023Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) uses radiation beams to treat tumors in all parts of the body. Learn what to expect before, during and after this incision-free procedure.
Last Updated: Apr 27, 2019Learn about this noninvasive colon cancer screening test that can detect DNA changes in cells collected from a stool sample.
Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024This test gives important information about your heart health. Know how to prepare and what to expect.
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Find out about tattoo removal options, including laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion.
Last Updated: Jan 20, 2024Telestroke or stroke telemedicine uses technology to provide expert stroke care in smaller communities.
Last Updated: Jan 18, 2023Examining your testicles regularly can help you notice changes when they occur and identify testicular problems.
Last Updated: Dec 7, 2022Learn what to expect during this surgery — a procedure that involves removing all or part of your thyroid gland.
Last Updated: Sep 3, 2022Learn how this test may help you find the cause of unexplained episodes of fainting.
Last Updated: May 21, 2022Learn how to prepare for a tonsillectomy and what to expect from the surgery.
Last Updated: Sep 3, 2022A surgically created hole in the front of the neck provides an air passage to help breathing when the usual route for breathing is blocked or reduced.
Last Updated: Oct 22, 2019This minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve is an option to open-heart valve surgery. Learn about the benefits and risks of TAVR.
Last Updated: Sep 6, 2023This procedure uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain involved in mood control. It's sometimes used for depression and other conditions.
Last Updated: Apr 7, 2023Learn about this procedure for treating an enlarged prostate, including how it's done and possible risks and benefits.
Last Updated: Sep 9, 2023Learn about this minimally invasive procedure for treating an enlarged prostate, including how it's done and possible risks and benefits.
Last Updated: Sep 9, 2023Learn about this procedure used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate gland.
Last Updated: Mar 21, 2024These heart surgeries treat tricuspid valve regurgitation and stenosis and Ebstein anomaly, a type of congenital heart defect. Learn how they're done.
Last Updated: Jul 12, 2024Thinking of getting your tubes tied? This surgery offers a permanent form of birth control. Know the risks and what to expect.
Last Updated: Jan 24, 2024Find out how this procedure can change the appearance of your abdomen, giving you a more toned silhouette.
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This imaging method uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. Learn how it works and how it’s used.
Last Updated: May 3, 2024In this simple procedure, a tiny camera is used to visually examine your upper digestive system. Find out what to expect.
Last Updated: Jul 2, 2024This common lab test checks urine for signs of disease and for clues about overall health.
Last Updated: Oct 24, 2023V
Vaginal hysterectomy is a procedure to remove the uterus through an incision in the vagina to treat certain gynecological conditions.
Last Updated: Feb 10, 2023Learn more about this procedure that may be used to treat epilepsy and other neurological conditions when other treatments haven't worked.
Last Updated: Apr 18, 2023Find out more about this cardiac catheter procedure to repair a narrowed heart valve.
Last Updated: Apr 5, 2024Find out more about this procedure that provides nearly 100 percent effective male birth control by cutting the supply of sperm to semen.
Last Updated: Feb 9, 2023Learn about this microsurgery procedure that can restore your fertility after a vasectomy.
Last Updated: May 19, 2023Learn how this implanted device helps the heart pump and when you might need one.
Last Updated: May 3, 2023Learn how heart doctors apply heat or cold energy from inside or outside the heart to treat very fast and erratic heartbeats.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2024This minimally invasive surgical procedure is used to diagnose and treat problems in the chest, such as with the lungs, esophagus, thymus gland and heart.
Last Updated: Nov 16, 2022Unlike other colon cancer screening tests, this imaging test doesn't use a scope to examine your colon. Learn how it works and what to expect.
Last Updated: Jul 6, 2023W
Learn about this complex operation that's used to treat pancreatic cancer and other digestive system conditions. Find out what to expect during recovery.
Last Updated: Jun 14, 2024If you don't have enough room in your mouth for wisdom teeth, or they're painful, infected or cause other dental problems, they may need to be removed.
Last Updated: Apr 5, 2024The withdrawal method — pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation — isn't the most effective birth control. Learn about the pros and cons.
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This quick and simple imaging test can spot problems in areas such as the bones, teeth and chest. Learn more about this diagnostic test.
Last Updated: Jan 20, 2024