expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. William L. Diehl, M.D.

Surgeon

William L. Diehl, MD, FACS, is a surgical oncologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of breast cancer and breast diseases. With over 30 years of experience in the treatment of breast and other cancers, he is a leader in the community and provides tailored care designed to best treat each individual patient. "There are no two breast cancers that are alike, and there are no two breast cancer patients that are alike", states Dr. Diehl. " Our mission is to tailor a specific treatment for a specific cancer in a specific patient. This can vary widely based on the characteristics of the cancer and the characteristics of the patient" He also feels strongly that breast cancer therapy is best delivered in a comprehensive, team oriented manner as is available at the Summit Medical Group Breast Care Center.
43 years Experience
Dr. William L. Diehl, M.D.
  • Morristown, NJ
  • Universidad Anahuac Escuela De Medicina, Mexico
  • Accepting new patients

Can polyps be removed during colonoscopy?

Yes, polyps can be removed at colonoscopy. However, there are some different types called sessile polyps that may not be amenable to removal via the colonoscope

Do breast cysts go away on their own?

Sometimes they do and other times they are permanent. In either case as long as your doctor can be sure they are benign cysts there is no need to do anything about them unless READ MORE
Sometimes they do and other times they are permanent. In either case as long as your doctor can be sure they are benign cysts there is no need to do anything about them unless they are very large or hurt

How successful is surgery for pancreatic cancer?

Surgery for pancreatic cancer is quite safe and successful if performed by a surgeon who does them frequently, meaning at least 2 or 3 a month. It has to be localized to the pancreas READ MORE
Surgery for pancreatic cancer is quite safe and successful if performed by a surgeon who does them frequently, meaning at least 2 or 3 a month. It has to be localized to the pancreas without evidence of spread anywhere else and it needs to be free of the vessels that go to the liver.

Do I need a biopsy to determine the tumor type before surgery?

Usually yes, but there are instances where you simply remove the tumor and then have it tested. It depends on the location and suspected nature of the tumor

How serious is an abdominal hernia?

It is not serious but it should be repaired at your earliest opportunity. The natural history of all hernias is to progressively get larger. It is always easier for the patient READ MORE
It is not serious but it should be repaired at your earliest opportunity. The natural history of all hernias is to progressively get larger. It is always easier for the patient to have it fixed when it is small and furthermore the chance of it coming back a 2nd time is directly proportional to the size of the hernia. They always need to be fixed surgically. Sometimes they can be fixed with a laparoscopic opened sometimes they need an incision.

Triple negative breast cancer?

The situation sounds a bit complicated. If she is getting chemotherapy again it would seem to me they think the cancer has returned otherwise they would not give chemotherapy a READ MORE
The situation sounds a bit complicated. If she is getting chemotherapy again it would seem to me they think the cancer has returned otherwise they would not give chemotherapy a second time. The regimen they are recommending is appropriate for a recurrence if that’s what she has. I think it would be better to get a formal opinion by another oncologist who can review the entire record to make more precise recommendations than what I can provide here with limited information. If you would like general information about Triple Negative Breast Cancer, please visit the educational web site I created for this topic: triplenegative.com Dr. William Diehl, NJ

Breast cancer?

It is hard to tell for sure why the surgeon would want another mammogram. It is not necessarily that the MRI is more detailed than a mammogram, it is that they simply give slightly READ MORE
It is hard to tell for sure why the surgeon would want another mammogram. It is not necessarily that the MRI is more detailed than a mammogram, it is that they simply give slightly different types of information. The most likely situation is that something was seen on the MRI for which they want to get clarification with a mammogram and or on ultrasound. I think her best course of action would be to talk to the surgeon and find out why he or she feels that a mammogram is needed.

Can a CT scan show lung problems?

Yes, a CT scan is an excellent way to evaluate lung problems. However, you can frequently exclude the need for CT scan by performing a simple Chest X Ray. If that is totally normal READ MORE
Yes, a CT scan is an excellent way to evaluate lung problems. However, you can frequently exclude the need for CT scan by performing a simple Chest X Ray. If that is totally normal you might not need a CT scan. The reason to avoid a CT scan is because the level of radiation exposure is higher than with a simple Chest X Ray.

Can you be hospitalized for anemia?

It depends on how bad the anemia is. Most of the time you don't need hospitalization. However, the most important issue is WHY you have the anemia. It is very unusual for a young READ MORE
It depends on how bad the anemia is. Most of the time you don't need hospitalization. However, the most important issue is WHY you have the anemia. It is very unusual for a young man to have anemia without a specific cause for it. You need to make an appointment to see your primary care physician so they can evaluate you in depth.

What conditions does surgical oncology diagnose?

Surgical oncologists diagnose and treat cancers that are amenable to cure by surgery. Some of these are breast, colon, pancreas, thyroid, lung, and many others. Medical oncologists READ MORE
Surgical oncologists diagnose and treat cancers that are amenable to cure by surgery. Some of these are breast, colon, pancreas, thyroid, lung, and many others. Medical oncologists treat cancer with medication (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy) and radiation oncologists use radiation. In general when anybody is suspected of having cancer the surgical oncologist will be involved at some point.

Is chemotherapy effective for blood cancers?

For the most part it's very effective for this indication

Can I drive after radiation treatment?

Yes, should be no problem as long as you could drive before radiation.

Is it worth it to have colon resection surgery?

Yes, it is absolutely worth having the surgery. The only time it may not be worth it is if the cancer has spread to the liver or other organs, but if the cancer is confined to READ MORE
Yes, it is absolutely worth having the surgery. The only time it may not be worth it is if the cancer has spread to the liver or other organs, but if the cancer is confined to the colon, surgery is still the # 1 treatment.

Best wishes,

William L. Diehl, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Is there a treatment for pancreatic cancer?

Yes, there is increasingly effective treatment for pancreatic cancer. If it is localized to the pancreas, surgical therapy is the mainstay of treatment, often followed by radiation READ MORE
Yes, there is increasingly effective treatment for pancreatic cancer. If it is localized to the pancreas, surgical therapy is the mainstay of treatment, often followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Sometimes we give chemotherapy before surgery to shrink it. If it is beyond the pancreas then chemotherapy and radiation are frequently needed. What is important is to find a center where there is a multi-disciplinary team of doctors that deal frequently with pancreatic cancer.

William L. Diehl, M.D., F.A.C.S.

What doctors to see for fighting breast cancer?

She should start by consulting with a breast surgeon, or a general surgeon with a large experience in treating breast cancer. That is the type of specialists that can get you READ MORE
She should start by consulting with a breast surgeon, or a general surgeon with a large experience in treating breast cancer. That is the type of specialists that can get you started on the right path and arrange for other specialists as needed.

Is lung cancer curable?

Yes, lung cancer is curable. However it depends on the specifics of each type of tumor and how localized or advanced it is. In situation is unique and this question can more READ MORE
Yes, lung cancer is curable. However it depends on the specifics of each type of tumor and how localized or advanced it is. In situation is unique and this question can more precisely be answered by your thoracic surgeon once he or she knows the specifics.

How long does a breast biopsy take?

It depends on what type of a breast biopsy. Ultrasound-guided biopsies usually take about 10 minutes, stereotactic biopsies about half an hour and MRI guided biopsies about 1 READ MORE
It depends on what type of a breast biopsy. Ultrasound-guided biopsies usually take about 10 minutes, stereotactic biopsies about half an hour and MRI guided biopsies about 1 hour. Surgical biopsies in the operating room also take about 1 hour and are done usually under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation

How dangerous is sun tanning for my skin?

It depends on your skin type but in general all sun exposure is dangerous. Light skinned people are more susceptible to the negative effects of the sun but even dark skinned people READ MORE
It depends on your skin type but in general all sun exposure is dangerous. Light skinned people are more susceptible to the negative effects of the sun but even dark skinned people can be damaged. The radiation immediately by the sun is what we call Ionizing radiation. This means that it can disrupt the normal Bonds in your DNA And cause mutations that subsequently become cancerous. It is no different than the radiation you get from x-rays or even a Tomic explosions and cause mutations that subsequently become cancerous. It is no different than the radiation you get from x-rays or even atomic explosions. Always wear protective clothing and a sun blocking agent so the purpose should be to enjoy the outdoor activities but not necessarily to expose yourself to the deleterious effects of the sun

What are the treatment options for bladder cancer?

You should check with a urologist who specializes in urologic oncology.