Patients with ulcerative colitis often need to take multiple medications to achieve and sustain remission. But there is a pionering surgical approach, the laparoscopic J-pouch procedure, that can not only cure patients from this disease, but also eliminate risk of future colorectal cancer. Dr. Najia Mahmoud, Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Associate Professor of Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, joins Dr. Lee Freedman to discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure for patients with ulcerative colitis.

Host Dr. Lee Freedman is joined by Francis Marchlinski, MD, Director of Electrophysiology at the University of Pennsylvania Health System; and, the Director of Electrophysiology Laboratory, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In this segment, Dr. Marchlinski discusses premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), when to consider catheter ablation, the use of catheter ablation as primary therapy before medication and epicardial ablation.

Heated/Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is one of the most innovative treatments available today for complex abdominal cancers. What is it? Who is a candidate? And, what are the expected outcomes for our patients? Host Dr. Lee Freedman welcomes Dr. Giorgos Karakousis, Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to discuss HIPEC.

How does surgery and stenting for carotid lesions help prevent stroke? What are the latest approaches, clinical trials, and philosophy for dialysis access for patients? Host Dr. Lee Freedman welcomes Dr. Benjamin Jackson to answer these questions and the latest innovations in vascular surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr. Jackson is an Assistant Professor of Surgery in Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.

Joining host Dr. Lee Freedman is William C. Welch, MD, FACS, FICS, Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Vice Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Pennsylvania Hospitall. Dr. Welch will discuss the surgical treatment options for both lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical stenosis. He will also explore the causes and treatment options for lower back pain.

Hip pain can be a major roadblock to an active lifestyle, and even effect activies of daily living. This is sometimes even more profound when seen in younger patients. How can we preserve hip function in younger patients, for whom replacement is not an option? In this segment, Dr. Lee Freedman speaks to Dr. Atul Kamath, Director, Center for Hip Preservation and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 10,000 pituitary tumors are diagnosed each year in the United States. What is the state of the art approach to the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors? Dr. Lee Freedman talks to Dr. Sean Grady, Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery Charles Harrison Frazier Professor of Neurosurgery Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Presentation of lumps and bumps are common in the primary care setting, but the appropriate approach is vital to determine whether there may be a deeper problem. A better understanding can lead to more effective treatment. Expert guest Dr. Kristy Weber discusses musculoskeletal tumors during her discussion with host Dr. Lee Freedman. Dr. Weber is the Abramson Family Professor in Sarcoma Care Excellence as well as Professor, Vice-Chair of Faculty Affairs, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; and Director of the Sarcoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center; and Chief, Orthopaedic Oncology.

What are the new advances in Head and Neck Cancer? What are the new trials in sparing patients' voice box? To answer these questions and more, host Dr. Lee Freedman is joined by radiation-oncologist Alexander Lin, MD, Assistant Chief, Head and Neck Service, University of Pennsylvania Department of Radiation Oncology and Director of Clinical Proton Operations, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiation Oncology at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Chromosome provided the first evidence that genetic abnormalities were linked to cancer. This discovery at Penn Medicine more than 50 years ago ushered in the modern period of cytogenetics. Now, the Center for Personalized Diagnostics (CPD) builds on this legacy and is set to pave the way for a new era of genomic and therapeutic pathology. The Center is a joint initiative with the Abramson Cancer Center and integrates molecular genetics, pathology informatics and genomic pathology to empower physicians and patients to truly customize their treatment options accordingly. Host Dr. Lee Freedman welcomes Dr. David Roth, Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Simon Flexner Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Penn Medicine to discuss the unique Center and offerings for patients.