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

Possible cancer?
Hello I am truly sorry that your husband is suffering from presumably mental health issues. But it is difficult to explain all of this on the basis of two lab results. I am not sure of the issues from the night before or why he needed to be seen. There are many reasons for a mildly low potassium level. The largest of these is blood pressure medicine and inadequate oral intake of potassium. Pancreatic cancer is low on the list. It would be best if his internist or family doctor can see him about these lab abnormalities to determine the cause. Please continue to work on his mental health issues. Good luck. READ MORE
Can you get thyroid biopsy under general anesthesia?
You are asking the question of getting general anesthesia for a thyroid biopsy. I am guessing that you have an identified thyroid nodule and that your doctor is recommending a thyroid biopsy. Generally these nodules are accessible by experienced physicians by needle biopsy and general anesthesia is not necessary. If you are feeling nervous about this procedure I suggest that you ask your physician to prescribe a medication to be taken orally an hour or so riot to the biopsy which can allow you to be less nervous about this test. Good luck. READ MORE
GERD/cancer?
You are basically asking about the etiology of chest discomfort. Your past history is that of GERD which has subsided but activates when you don’t follow dietary restrictions. Chest pain can occur from many conditions. On this situation an evaluation by a physician who can perform a complete history and physical examination is necessary. It could be dangerous to assume that GERD is the cause of your symptoms. It might just be due to your athletic activity. It is unlikely that cancer is behind all of this, but it is possible. It is though important that you consult your doctor for a complete evaluation and diagnosis. Good luck! READ MORE
How can I prevent infection after a hysterectomy?
Hello, Your question is how to prevent infection following a hysterectomy. This depends on the type of hysterectomy that you will have. There are several methods of performing hysterectomies. The oldest and most invasive is via an abdominal incision. This can be either a long incision. Minimally invasive shorter incisions can be made for minimally invasive techniques. Post-operatively the incision must be kept clean with effective washing techniques. The other possibility can be an intra-vaginal approach. This would be a minimally invasive approach. It is important to keep your private parts clean and dry. It is important to follow the instructions that will be given to you by your surgeon. Good luck. READ MORE
Which anesthesia is selected for colon biopsy?
Hello, You are asking the question of which anesthesia is used for a colon biopsy. The answer to this depends on the type of biopsy that you will experience. Most colon biopsies are done during colonoscopies. These are usually performed without using anesthesia. Patients are usually awake and alert during this procedure. If the biopsy is of a potential metastasis under CT or ultrasound guidance, these are usually performed without anesthesia. Your best bet is to ask your physician about the procedure. If you are feeling very nervous about the procedure your doctor can prescribe medicine will calm you to have the procedure. The medications can sedate you for a few hours during and following the procedures. Good luck. READ MORE
Cervical cancer?
You are asking the question if it is safe to have a child in the presence of subtotally resected cervical cancer. In general a hysterectomy is a curative procedure for cervical cancer. It is unclear why your doctor was unable to clear the cancer with clear margins. Anytime that cancer is left without clear margins there is a risk of the cancer growing locally or spreading to other organs. My first recommendation would be resection of the cancer. However, you desire to have a child. A hysterectomy would prevent this. The thinking of your doctor about following the cancer is unclear. My suggestion would be to obtain a second opinion from an otherwise experienced surgeon about a re-resection of remaining cervical cancer with a clear margin. Good luck. READ MORE
What is this spot on my nipple?
Hello, You are asking about a “skin spot” on your chest near your nipple. It is difficult to diagnose this spot on the basis of the photo. I suggest that you consult your physician who can perform an examination. This appears to be a reactive process of the skin on your chest wall. It is possible that this represents recurrent infections of a hair follicle. I suggest that you wash this area four times per day with soap and water making sure that the area is cleanly rinsed. The other likely possibility is that you have obtained new clothing including underwear to which your skin is reacting. Have you recently changed detergents or fabric softener? These are definite possibilities. Good luck and take care. READ MORE
Is it almost a foregone conclusion that I have breast cancer?
Hello, You are asking a variety of questions and are trying to put them all together with a diagnosis of breast cancer. However, the constellation of symptoms can be due to numerous causes. Among these are muscular strains from carrying packages. You make no mention of having any discrete masses. Without a positive biopsy, there can be no diagnosis of breast cancer. You can learn more about breast cancer at the website of the National Comprehensive Network and look at their patient information resources. (www.nccn.org) I think that a referral to a breast center is an excellent idea. I presume that you will be evaluated by an internist/oncologist who can do a history and physical examination and provide counseling on how to further proceed. READ MORE
Risk of cancer from CTs?
Hello You carry a diagnosis of dermatomyositis which is an inflammatory condition associated with skin rashes and other muscle weakness. You are taking Cellcept for this condition. Your physician is concerned with the possibility of the development of cancer, because dermatomyositis has been reported to be associated with cancers, particularly ovarian cancer in women. Because of this your doctor has been ordering screening CT scans annually. In general CT scans are performed to include or exclude symptomatic conditions and to make diagnoses. You do not mention any symptoms that may be leading to the recommendation to perform these tests. Other radiologic tests including MRI scanning may be performed. I CT scans have been implicated in the development of cancers. However this risk is quite low and CT scans are used routinely for diagnostic purposes. You can learn more about this illness online. Mayo Clinic has a good discussion of this illness on their website (www.mayoclinic.org). Or you can perform a google search using the search term “dermatomyositis”. There will be multiple discussions of this illness. It is best if you ask your doctor the reasons for ordering routine CT scans. If you have questions about your illness, the treatment, or routine scans, it might be best to get a second opinion at a recognized multidisciplinary clinic for an evaluation. Good luck. READ MORE
How painful is prostate cancer surgery?
Hello, You are asking the question of how painful is prostate cancer surgery. One can learn more about prostate cancer and it’s treatment online by a google search asking the question “is prostate cancer surgery painful?” The City of Hope “www.cityofhope.org” has an excellent discussion of the illness and treatment approaches for this illness. There are multiple videos dealing with the aspects of treatment for prostate cancer. The other source of information with guidelines to treat many cancers including prostate cancer is the website sponsored by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (www.nccn.org). Search on Prostate Cancer. Surgical resection is the usual treatment for this illness which has been shown to be very effective. In the past radical open prostatectomy has been the standard operation. This however has been supplanted by many surgeons by less painful robotic or computer assisted approaches. These approaches allow faster recuperation from the operative procedure. Because this is an open procedure, pain can be expected. Analgesics are generally used for pain control. There is usually minimal time for inpatient recovery. Only one to two days are generally required. Good luck. READ MORE
I have bumps around my anus and penis?
Hello, You are asking a very important question. What is the cause of the skin lesions that you see around your anus and penis. Additionally you have a family history of anal and potentially colon cancer lurking in the background. You have provided photos of these lesions which have apparently been ongoing for about a year. Your most pressing worry is whether or not these can be cancer. I have looked at all of the photos. Truthfully it is impossible to make a diagnosis by simply observing your photos. The causes of these lesions can be many. My immediate inclination would be to blame an infectious etiology for these lesions. However, the most important thing to do is to have a physician look at these lesions and perform a biopsy and culture of the lesions. Only with a good physical exam can the cause of these lesions be determined and treatment recommended. My advice would be to have your doctor examine you and perform a biopsy. The other alternative would be to be seen at an emergency room or urgent care center for an evaluation. Good luck in your endeavors. READ MORE
My wife had chemo therapy and still cancer is growing in another area?
Hello, You are asking questions that are reasonable, but do not provide enough information that is necessary to give a specific answer. The type of cancer that your wife experienced is unclear. I also am confused about her initial treatment. Cancer, especially breast or colon cancer generally require surgical removal. In these situations courses of chemotherapy and or radiation have been shown to decrease the risk of the cancer recurring. If your wife suffered from breast or colon cancer, the risk of cancer recurrence is dependent on the findings at the time of surgery. Post operatively a course of chemotherapy has been shown to decrease the chances of a distant recurrence. Following this “adjuvant” therapy, it may be advisable to give a course of local radiation with or without chemotherapy to decrease the chances of a local recurrence. It would be best to ask these questions of her oncologist to better understand the reason for the recommendation. The other reason that chemotherapy is administered is in patients who have cancers that have already spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy and or radiation with or without chemotherapy can be recommended to control or treat these lesions. It isn’t clear from your question which group your wife falls into. Again, it is best to ask her doctor about the reasons for the recommendations. Good luck. READ MORE
Are you sedated for a bladder biopsy?
Hello, You are asking the question of whether or not anesthesia is used for a bladder biopsy. The answer depends on the recommendations of the physician who is performing the procedure. Usually the procedure is performed by a cystoscopy which is a procedure in which a narrow tube is placed up the urethra so that the lining of the bladder can be examined by the procedure. The procedure is not painful but one may feel pressure during the procedure. READ MORE
COPD diagnosis?
Hello, You and your family have been told that your 75 year old mother has been diagnosed with stage 4 COPD. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an inflammatory condition in which the lungs progressively become more and more disabled and ultimately become unable to provide enough oxygen to the body to enable normal functioning. It is staged with stage 1 being the least severe and progressing to severe lung dysfunction (stage 4). Many times various medications can be used to treat the symptoms. Oxygen is often prescribed to help a person breathe. These illnesses are caused by exposure to toxic gases or cigarette smoke for long time periods. A good source for information can be found online on “entirelyhealth.com”. They have a good discussion of the illness and treatment approaches. If your mother was a smoker it would be advisable to stop smoking. She needs to take medications that are provided by her doctor. It is difficult to predict the prognosis of people suffering from COPD. If she follows the advice of her doctor she may live for a few years. But the life expectancy may be significantly less than this. She can also develop intercurrent illnesses such as pneumonia which are more difficult to treat in patients with severe emphysema (another name for COPD). She needs much familial support to allow her quality of life to be the best that it can be. Good luck. READ MORE
Is it normal for breasts to hurt after a mammogram?
Hello, Mammograms performed routinely have been shown to provide early diagnostic tests for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. This illness has become one of the most devastating diagnoses for women. The test, however, is done using low doses of radiation to visualize abnormalities occurring in breast tissue. In order for this test to be accurate the breast tissue must be compressed so that the radiation can penetrate the breast tissue. Most women have minimal or no discomfort with this examination. Some women complain of minimal discomfort following the test, but this generally subsides shortly after the test is completed. One can learn more about this test and possible complications online with a google search “breast tenderness following mammograms”. More can be learned at www.healthywomen.org. Search on “Mammogram”. This website and others have good discussions of possible breast tenderness following mammograms. I recommend that all women be screened by mammograms per nationally recognized screening guidelines. READ MORE
What are the side effects of radiation for rectal cancer?
Hello, You are asking about possible side effects of radiation therapy for rectal cancer. I presume that you carry a diagnosis of rectal cancer which is localized. It is presumably being recommended as adjuvant therapy following surgical excision of the cancer. Radiation can be administered either prior to or following surgery. Generally surgical excision is the initial treatment recommendation. If the cancer has travelled outside of the colon (metastases) radiation may be recommended to decrease symptoms of the area in which the cancer is growing. Radiation is generally delivered using a machine that delivers the treatment to the area and surroundings where the cancer is found. It can be used as primary treatment or as additional treatment following surgery to decrease the chances of recurrence of the cancer. One can learn more about this treatment online by using a google search of “side effects of radiation for rectal cancer”. Otherwise it is a fair question to ask of your radiation oncologist. Radiation is delivered to the area from which the cancer was excised surgically. Therefore other organs in the field are subject to inflammation from the radiation. One can learn more from online discussions. An excellent discussion is delivered at the website: www.cancercouncil.com.au. Side effects include tiredness, more frequent needs to pass urine, soreness or bleeding from the rectum, fecal incontinence or diarrhea, sometimes constipation or mucous discharge. Skin rashes are common. These symptoms are usually of short duration and pass following the radiation completion within a few weeks. It is less common to have long term side effects from radiation. Good luck with treatment. Your radiation oncologist can recommend treatments to make side effects more manageable. Do not be afraid to ask any questions as the treatment goes on. READ MORE
How long is the hospital stay after lung resection surgery?
Hello, You are asking about the length of hospitalization following lung resection surgery. I am presuming that you are planning to undergo this surgery as treatment for cancer. This procedure is standard therapy for cancer and potentially curative. You can obtain more information about the treatment involving lung resection online. The Cleveland Clinic (www.my.clevelandclinic.org) has an excellent discussion of the types of resection surgery available. Patients usually remain in the hospital for two to three days following this surgery. More time might be necessary depending on the patients overall medical condition and the amount of lung requiring resection. Chest tubes are usually used to drain air and fluid from the chest cavity. These are removed after two to three days. You need to feel free to ask questions of your surgeon to understand the plans for treatment. Good luck. READ MORE
Do breast cysts go away on their own?
Hello, You are asking about breast cysts. You can learn more about these fluid filled sacs which often form in pre-menopausal women. They usually go away when a woman reaches her post menopausal years unless she is taking oral estrogen when they might persist. Breast cysts do not increase the risk of the development of breast cancer but their presence might decrease the ability to find new breast masses. Usually they do not need treatment unless their size makes them uncomfortable. If this is the case drainage of the fluid may make them less symptomatic. It is important that mammography and breast examinations be performed as recommended. Any changes should be assessed by your physician. Any questions that you might have should be addressed to your doctor. READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for a colon biopsy?
Hello, You are asking the question of what type of anesthesia is used for a colon biopsy. I am presuming that the biopsy will be part of a colonoscopy which is a procedure in which a thin scope is placed through the anus and the entire colon can be examined. Polyps or abnormal areas can be removed or biopsied during the procedure. Yale university www.yalemedicine.org has an excellent discussion of this approach. Other google searches using the code words “anesthesia during colon biopsy” can be done online. The type of anesthesia used can be either intravenous with propofol or a similar drug or general. The type of anesthesia to be used depends on the patients overall medical condition and can either be under the care of an anesthesiologist or the physician performing the procedure. It is best to ask the performing physician of their recommendations regarding anesthesia techniques. Other treatment recommendations depend on the pathology results of the tested tissue. Good luck. READ MORE
Is 33 radiation treatments normal?
Hello, You are asking about the duration of post operative therapy following surgical removal of the cancer. You mention that one lymph node was involved. I presume that you are referring to “adjuvant” therapy which is given to decrease the chance of the cancer recurring following surgical removal. Many studies have been performed to assess the effectiveness of these therapies. READ MORE