Dr. Robert Morgan MD

Oncologist | Medical Oncology

1500 E Duarte Rd Duarte CA, 91010 Show map

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About

Dr. Robert Morgan is an oncologist practicing in Duarte, CA. Dr. Morgan specializes in the care and treatment of patients with cancer. As an oncologist, Dr. Morgan manages and oversees the treatment of a cancer patient after he or she has been diagnosed with the disease. Oncologists will care for their patients throughout the course of the disease. Types of oncologists include medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, pediatric oncologists and hematologist oncologists.

Education and Training

Univ of Il Coll of Med, Chicago Il 1981

University of Illinois College of Medicine 1981

Board Certification

Hematology (Internal Medicine)

Hospice and Palliative Care (Internal Medicine)

Medical Oncology (Internal Medicine)

Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM

Provider Details

MaleEnglish

Dr. Robert Morgan MD

Dr. Robert Morgan MD's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Do you use local anesthesia for a bone marrow biopsy?
You are asking the question if local anesthesia is used for a bone marrow biopsy. Generally a needle with a local anesthesia is used in the posterior pelvic area where the sample will be collected. The area will remain sleeping for a couple of hours after the sample is collected. If further discomort is felt Tylenol can be used for control of the discomfort. READ MORE
How long does it take to recover from bone cancer surgery?
Hello, You are asking a complicated question. Recovery time depends on the age of the patient, the procedure being performed and the location of the surgery. If the surgery involves removing a tumor and setting a bone, healing times will vary depending on the bone that is involved. There will also be the recommendation for exercises to be performed daily. There might also be a recommendation for postoperative radiation and or chemotherapy which also effects recovery time. Spinal surgery has separate needs and recovery times. Good luck. It is best to talk to your doctor and ask this question for specific information. READ MORE
Gardasil vaccine related
Hello, You are a thirty year old woman who is asking about the safety of Gardisil, which is a vaccine directed at HPV (human papilloma virus). Much information can be obtained online at www.cdc.gov (center for disease control) and click on “vaccine recommendations” or one can do a google search on “gardasil and pregnancy”. This vaccine is recommended for 11 or 12 year olds. Most sexually active people have likely been exposed to HPV. This vaccine can be considered for 27-32 year old people following a discussion with their doctor. The vaccine does protect against new HPV infections but does not treat ongoing infections. The CDC does not recommend that pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant receive this vaccine. They should wait until the pregnancy has been completed before receiving this vaccine. The vaccine has not been reported to cause complications to either pregnant women or to their babies, however clinical trials have not been done in pregnant women in the older age group. So I encourage you to have this discussion with your doctor. Following CDC recommendations is the safest way to approach medical treatments. READ MORE
How many sessions of radiotherapy are needed for lung cancer?
Hello, You are asking the question of how many sessions of radiation are prescribed for lung cancer. The answer to this question depends on the type of radiation that is prescribed. External beam radiation is the most common. It is administered five days per week for five to seven weeks. There are other alternative methods of administration of radiotherapy. It may also be administered in combination following surgery and may also be given with chemotherapy to increase its effectiveness. The American cancer society has a good online discussion of radiation for lung cancer One can find it by performing a google search using “radiation for lung cancer” as the search term. Or www.cancer.org will bring you to the discussion. Good luck. READ MORE
How long should I rest after a kidney biopsy?
Hello, You are asking the question of how long should I rest following a kidney biopsy. One can find a good deal of information online by doing a google search using your question for the search topic. A good source of information is from the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org). In reading through the discussions you will find that there are different opinions regarding this issue. In general a fine needle is placed into your kidney through your back. Tissue is then collected and sent for pathologic evaluation. Pain or bleeding can be experienced following this procedure. It is best to stay at bed rest for 12-24 hours following this procedure, however there are differing recommendations from experts. It is best to ask your doctor for instructions. Heavy lifting should be avoided for a couple of weeks following the procedure. Good luck. READ MORE
Kidney Tumor
Hello, You are asking about the origin of a kidney mass in your father, an 85 year old man. The mass was apparently stable for several years, but recently has been growing. A biopsy is scheduled to determine if this lesion is malignant. I agree with the recommendation for a biopsy. Until the tissue is obtained there is no way to know if there is a malignancy associated with the lesion. Treatment decisions and recommendations depend on the biopsy results. Resection is usually recommended if cancer is found at the biopsy. Benign findings depend on the overall condition of the patient. If he is having pain, resection may be recommended for palliation. Otherwise continued follow up may be recommended. Cryoablation, freezing the tumor, may be considered as a research approach at designated centers. It isn’t considered a standard approach. Good luck. READ MORE
Will I get general anesthesia for a bone marrow biopsy?
Hello, You are asking if you will be given general anesthesia for a bone marrow biopsy. In general bone marrow biopsies are recommended in order to analyze cells that are present in the bone marrow. They are usually recommended to analyze the blood producing cells to be certain that the blood producing cells are intact and functional. They may be done to rule out leukemia. Generally the procedure is an out patient procedure. A patient usually lies on their stomach and local anesthesia is injected into the posterior pelvic bone. A needle is then inserted and cells are aspirated. A bone biopsy may or may not be taken. The procedure, particularly during the aspiration may be uncomfortable for a second or so, but the discomfort usually subsides shortly thereafter. Oral Tylenol may be used to treat any remaining discomfort. Good luck with the procedure. READ MORE
When will I receive liver biopsy results?
Hello, You are asking how long until you will have the results of the liver biopsy. This depends on whether you are asking for the pathology report to be directly given to you or whether you will have an appointment with your physician to discuss these results. I recommend that you discuss the results with your physician and receive the information from that person. Pathology reports can be confusing and often require explanations and treatment recommendations that can only be given by the ordering physician. The results are usually available within a few days unless special stains are necessary to fully interpret the biopsy. Good luck. READ MORE
What to avoid after radiotherapy?
Hello, You are asking what to avoid following radiotherapy. There are several forms of radiotherapy. The most common is external beam radiotherapy. However, there are other techniques including brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy), radioembolization, or oral administration of radioactive material. The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) has a good discussion of issues involved with radiotherapy. Or one can perform a google search using the question “What to avoid following radiotherapy”. For systemic radiation treatment the precautions should be followed for a few days following radiation treatment. These precautions include washing clothes separately from the rest of the household, sitting down when using the toilet to avoid splashing contaminated wastes, flush twice when finished using the toilet, using separate utensils and towels, avoiding kissing or sexual contact for a week following radiation, avoiding coming in contact with infants, children, or pregnant women for a time following radiation, avoiding contacts with pets, avoid public transportation, keep at least six feet between you and other housemates for a specific period of time, stay home from work or school for a specific period of time. It is good to discuss these precautions with your radiation therapy physician and follow their instructions. Good luck. READ MORE
Can a mammogram tell if a lump is a cyst?
Hello, You are asking if a mammogram can be an instrument that diagnoses a breast lump as a cyst. In general one must have a biopsy in order to know with certainty if a lump is a cyst. Much depends though on past history. If you have had cystic breasts with previous biopsies, your doctor may tell you that the chance of malignancy is small and that observation might be possible. However, without a tissue biopsy it is not possible to know with certainty the true source of the lump. Good luck. READ MORE
Adrenal Tumor?
You are a 27-year-old woman who is asking if non-malignant (non-cancerous) adrenal tumors must be resected (removed surgically). READ MORE
IBS treatment?
Hello, Constipation is a common symptom which can have many causes. Your ibs can certainly add to your symptoms. Docusate is certainly helpful, and deilant can have a side effect of diarrhea. Chemotherapy for lymphoma can also have bowel slowing as a side effect. You can learn more about the treatment and causes of constipation online at www.miralax.com. Although this is a pharmacology website, the summary is excellent. My suggestions to you would be to add to your medications including metamucil and/or miralax for now. Both miralax and metamucil are excellent for the bowels and help to avoid constipation. Mineral oil can also be helpful. You need to mention your troubles to your physician who may need to adjust your medications. Staying well hydrated also improves the symptoms of constipation. Eating substantial amounts of normal fruits and vegetables is also recommended for bowel maintenance. Good luck. READ MORE
Blood test results?
Hello, You did the appropriate thing when you took your daughter to see her doctor for headaches. Sinus infections are common causes of headaches and antibiotics are prescribed as treatment for the infection. The doctor checked the blood test and stated that the test was improved substantially indicating that the antibiotics are effective. It would be unusual for a second diagnosis to lurk in the background. Her doctor, though, wants to be certain that his recommended treatment continues to be effective. My suggestion is to keep the recommendations of her doctor. I hope that you will not suffer too much from the uncertainty that you are experiencing. Good luck to you and your daughter. READ MORE
What to do?
Hello, You are asking about the significance of a fever when you have had chemotherapy. Fevers can have many causes. Your doctor checks your blood tests to be certain that your infection cells are sufficient such that the fever is not due to low white blood cells which can sometimes be caused by the chemotherapy. Rechecking your temperature is a good idea. If it remains elevated you need to call your physician for instructions on what to do next. Good luck. READ MORE
Cramping during dialysis treatment?
Hello, I presume that you are receiving dialysis as treatment for kidney failure. You have a vascular access point in your left arm which is the arm experiencing neurological symptoms with treatment. Your blood tests will define the effectiveness of the dialysis. If you are worried about the effectiveness of the dialysis it is best that you ask your doctor about how the treatment is going regarding your kidney replacement. You might also mention your neurological symptoms in your left arm. It is possible that a cutaneous nerve is being effected by insertion of the needle. Dialysis treatment has a variety of side effects. Many are caused by dehydration and you may require increased intravenous fluid during the procedure. You may require adjustment of your IV fluid or adjustments in your oral fluid between dialysis sessions. It is unlikely that your body is rejecting the dialysis treatment. You can learn more about dialysis treatment by searching online. The Mayo Clinic has a good summary of this treatment. This can be obtained by searching on www.mayoclinic.org and searching on dialysis treatment. A google search of dialysis side effects can also provide a number of discussions about dialysis treatment. I encourage you to discuss your symptoms with your dialysis team for advice on management. Good luck. READ MORE
is it possible to have breast cancer young?
You are a 14-year-old girl who is concerned about her breasts and concerned that your findings may represent cancer. I think that it would be unusual for an adolescent girl to develop breast cancer. It is unclear if your changes are related to your menstrual cycles. It is not uncommon for young women to develop fibrocystic changes in their breasts that often change during their menstrual cycles. Often these cystic changes are hormonally responsive and may increase just prior to starting their periods. A good place to find more information is online at www.kidshealth.org. Search on breast lumps in teenaged girls. There is a good discussion of physical changes that can occur in young women during their menstrual cycles. However, it would also be advisable for you to see your doctor, pediatrician or a gynecologist for an exam and to talk about the findings that you are experiencing. Good luck. READ MORE
Does radiotherapy make your bones ache?
Hello, I am assuming that you received radiotherapy as a therapy for bone metastasis from cancer that has spread and is presumably causing pain. Radiotherapy is very good for controlling pain caused by this condition. Generally the pain subsides after a few days of radiation, but sometimes it persists. Generally oral pain medicines or analgesic creams are effective. It is important to discuss this problem with your treating doctors for their advice and prescriptions for the pain. Good luck. READ MORE
Can you get general anesthesia for a bone biopsy?
Hello, You are asking the question “Is general anesthesia available for a bone biopsy?” This depends on the procedure type. These collections can be done with a needle/core using local anesthesia. If a more invasive approach is needed general anesthesia can be used. You need to ask this question of your doctor and ask for options. Good luck. READ MORE
What should you eat after radiotherapy?
Hello, I am presuming that you are receiving radiation therapy (radiotherapy) as a treatment for cancer. This treatment can be quite rigorous but is usually well tolerated. Symptoms that are caused by the radiotherapy depend on where the radiation is delivered. Radiation delivered to the abdomen can cause abdominal discomfort or sometimes nausea and vomiting. Radiation delivered to the extremities (arms or legs) is usually tolerated well. A skin rash can occur. It is good to be well nourished during this treatment. Normal eating patterns can be tried. Nutritional supplements such as Ensure milkshakes can supplement normal eating approaches. These can be purchased at usual pharmacies. It is important to discuss these approaches with your physician. Good luck. READ MORE
How long do endoscopy biopsy results take?
Hello, You are asking about the return time for a stomach biopsy that presumably will be performed during an endoscopy. Depending on the institution, the biopsy results can be immediately available or take at most a couple of days. It is best to discuss the results of this test with the physician who ordered or requested the test. Good luck. READ MORE