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

How long does palliative radiotherapy prolong life?
You are asking the question of how long does Palliative radiation prolong life in patients with lung cancer. This is very difficult to directly answer because it depends on how much cancer is being irradiated and if the patient has other medical problems that might shorten their life. READ MORE
Is liver resection done under general anesthesia?
Hello, Your question is whether liver resection surgery is performed under general anesthesia. I am presuming that surgery is being recommended for a cancerous tumor that has the potential to be cured if it is totally removed. This surgery is very complicated and needs to be performed by a skilled surgeon who has experience in this area. In general this surgery requires general anesthesia. There are several approaches that can be used including laparoscopic methods. These procedures also require general anesthesia for surgical completeness and patient safety. These questions need to be asked to the surgical team that is preparing you for the surgery. More information can be obtained online. The American Cancer Society publishes an excellent discussion of the procedure and risks to the patient. It can be obtained at www.cancer.org and search on “liver resection”. The discussion includes expected risks and benefits of the procedure. At times post-operative care can include either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Good luck. READ MORE
Breast cancer?
Hello, you are asking about the necessary tests that you will need to diagnose the reason that you developed a lump in your left breast. The list of possibilities is significant. However, the best test is a fine needle aspirate of the lump. It would be best to consult your physician who can either perform the biopsy or refer you to the appropriate physician to perform the biopsy. READ MORE
How long is colon cancer surgery recovery?
Hello, You are asking how long to expect recovery improvement following colon cancer surgery. The answer to this question depends on the location of cancer in the colon and the type of procedure that is planned. There are two methods used to resect (remove) cancer. One is the laparoscopic method which uses small incisions and scope to allow the surgeon to successfully resect cancer. The other is most commonly used and is the open approach. Usually, the laparoscopic approach results in fewer symptoms post-operatively due to the smaller incisions that are made. However, this approach depends on the location of the tumor and the experience of the surgeon. Postoperatively one can expect pain and bowel dysfunction to be complications. One can expect to be hospitalized for two to four days following the surgery. Be sure to avoid lifting any weights or doing abdominal exercises for at least six weeks following surgery. More information can be obtained online. www.healthgrades.com summarizes expected colon cancer surgeries and recovery options. Fewer complications can be expected if smoking and alcohol intake are avoided for several days prior to the surgery. More treatment may or may not be recommended to improve long-term outcomes depending on the findings at surgery. Good luck. READ MORE
How long is colon cancer surgery recovery?
Hello, you are asking how long to expect recovery improvement following colon cancer surgery. The answer to this question depends on the location of cancer in the colon and the type of procedure that is planned. There are two methods used to resect (remove) cancer. One is the laparoscopic method which uses small incisions and scope to allow the surgeon to successfully resect cancer. The other is most commonly used and is the open approach. Usually, the laparoscopic approach results in fewer symptoms post-operatively due to the smaller incisions that are made. However, this approach depends on the location of the tumor and the experience of the surgeon. Postoperatively one can expect pain and bowel dysfunction to be complications. One can expect to be hospitalized for two to four days following the surgery. Be sure to avoid lifting any weights or doing abdominal exercises for at least six weeks following surgery. More information can be obtained online. www.healthgrades.com summarizes expected colon cancer surgeries and recovery options. Fewer complications can be expected if smoking and alcohol intake are avoided for several days prior to the surgery. More treatment may or may not be recommended to improve long-term outcomes depending on the findings at surgery. Good luck. READ MORE
Irregular menstrual bleeding?
Hello, You are a 47 year old woman with a three month history of irregular menses. In 2016 you had bilateral mastectomies but no postoperative chemotherapy or radiation. You were placed on tamoxifen for five years which was recently stopped. Now you are having irregular menstrual cycles. There are several reasons for the onset of irregular periods. I am assuming that the mastectomies were performed for breast cancer which was hormone receptor positive You were started on tamoxifen for this. Often when a woman develops irregular periods, an endocrinological evaluation needs to be performed. The irregularity of the periods implies that there is a disconnect between your bodies endocrine system and the uterus. Sometimes a trial of hormones can help regulate the systems. However, in the case of a patient who has had breast cancer the risks of hormone therapy may be significant from a cancer point of view. Tamoxifen has also been reported to interfere with normal menstruation. It is not possible to predict the effects of the discontinuation of tamoxifen. A third possibility is that you are undergoing menopause. Abnormal periods may result from age related changes. For further evaluation you need to be evaluated by an experienced gynecologist for a complete examination and to obtain the necessary endocrinological tests. Good luck. READ MORE
How to treat iron deficiency anemia?
Hello, Your mother is a 44 year old woman with iron deficiency and an abnormal cholesterol level. I doubt that these two conditions are related. It is possible that your mother is having a reaction to the prescribed medication. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by either inadequate oral intake of iron or the loss of iron by bleeding. I would suggest that she needs a complete evaluation of her gastrointestinal system. She needs to be sure that she doesn’t have a benign condition such as a polyp or a bleeding ulcer. Or the other reason could be a bowel cancer. Her doctor can order the necessary tests to investigate the GI system. High cholesterol is a condition that has many causes and can lead to other illnesses in the future. There are cholesterol lowering medicines that can be prescribed. Other approaches involve changes in her diet. It is not stated whether or not your mother is overweight. She may require a weight reduction diet. She needs to inquire of her doctor if he or she intends to check her bowels. Intermittent colon investigations have been shown to achieve early detection of bowel cancers and are generally recommended for the general population. Good luck. READ MORE
How successful is radiotherapy for bladder cancer?
Hello You are asking how successful is radiation therapy for bladder cancer. I am presuming that you have had symptoms which usually include blood in the urine and have seen a doctor who has made a diagnosis of bladder cancer. You can best learn more about this illness by consulting treatment guidelines published by the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) www.nccn.org. Look for the guidelines for bladder cancer. There is a version for physicians and a version for patients. The best thing would be to look at the version for patients. Generally it is necessary to stage the cancer to determine the best treatment recommendation. It is necessary to know if the cancer is muscle or non-muscle invasive cancer. If non-muscle invasive there are risk profiles to be consulted to determine the chance of control. There are several treatment options. Generally surgery is the preferred treatment. This can be local excision, or a partial or complete cystectomy. Then followup examinations are necessary for the early diagnosis of recurrence. Other options include treatment into the bladder, radiation or chemo radiation. The choice needs to be discussed with the doctor. Radiation is usually used in patients who are not able to have surgery or receive chemotherapy. Bladder tumors are very sensitive to all modalities of treatment. Without more information it is not possible to recommend which option is best for you. It is best to discuss NCCN guidelines with your doctor or obtain a second opinion from an experienced urologist at a recognized cancer center. READ MORE
Ovarian cancer?
Hello, You are asking if less aggressive surgery may be appropriate for patients diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer. I would refer you to the guidelines published by the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network). They summarize diagnostic and treatment recommendations by stage of cancer. The recommendations for Stage 1a ovarian cancer the consideration for unilateral tube and ovary removal with comprehensive surgical staging. Stage 1b recommendations are for bilateral ovary and tube removal with comprehensive surgical staging. I am presuming that less aggressive surgery may be indicated if fertility is desired in the future. Uterine preservation may be considered if this is the case using modern fertility techniques. These therapies need to be performed by a gynecologic oncologist. Generally laparoscopic procedures are not recommended in this situation. Experienced gynecologic oncologists may be willing to perform laparoscopic procedures after discussion of the risks involved. Ovarian is a curable illness even in late stages of the disease. Postoperative chemotherapy recommendations depend on the histology type and the findings of staging surgery. READ MORE
Slow healing recurring sore?
Hello You state that you have no recurring medical issues but have had two malignant skin lesion removed in the past. You are now suffering from a non-healing lesion on what appears to be your leg. It isn’t possible to know the cause of this lesion by observation alone. It is possible that it represents an infected hair follicle, or it is possible that it can represent another skin cancer. It appears that your doctor, either a surgeon or a dermatologist successfully removed these past two lesions. My advice would be to consult the same physician who performed the removal of these two lesions to inspect and recommend treatment of this newer lesion. Thank you. READ MORE
How long after radiation do you start to feel better?
Hello, You are asking about the length of side effects following radiation therapy for prostate cancer. This is a difficult question without having more information. Radiation therapy is recommended for two reasons for patients with prostate cancer. One is to treat symptoms that are being caused by the cancer. This often occurs when the prostate cancer has spread to bones and often causes pain. In general radiation is localized and given for short periods of time...daily for several days. Usually the pain improves a short time following completion of the course of treatment. The second reason is for definitive treatment of a localized cancer. This can be given without initial surgery or following surgery to improve the chances of long term control of the cancer (adjuvant radiation). For definitive information one can consult the guidelines of the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) www.nccn.org and search on Prostate Cancer Guidelines. There are versions for both physicians and patients. The decision of recommendations regarding post-operative radiation therapy often depends on what risk group a patient falls into. These risk groups are dependent on the pathological characteristics, the age of the patient, life expectancy of the patient and expertise of the treating physician. It is reasonable to discuss these questions with your treating urologist and radiation oncologist. Symptoms of radiation therapy can either be due to local inflammation of the skin in the area of the radiation therapy or inflammation of the deeper structures in the area of the radiation. There are often medications or treatments that can be prescribed to decrease or shorten the time that side effects are experienced. If you have other questions regarding treatment possibilities second opinions can be obtained from local cancer centers or academic institutions. Oftentimes clinical trials can be offered depending on the characteristics of the individual cancers. Good luck. READ MORE
Changes in breast feeling?
Hello, Breast numbness is not uncommon in women. I understand that you are concerned about cancer given your family history. However, this would be a very uncommon cause of your symptoms, particularly if they have been ongoing for a long time. A much more common cause of these symptoms is a badly fitting brassiere that constricts your breast tissue. A good place to look is in www.healthline.com and search either here or in google under “breast numbness”. Other reasons that occur can be the addition of a new detergent or fabric softener which is a tissue irritant. These symptoms are caused by nerve compression or irritation. You should consult either a family doctor, a neurologist, or a dermatologist to determine the cause of your symptoms. Good luck. READ MORE
How long does rectal cancer surgery last?
Hello, Your question is “How long does rectal cancer surgery last?” This question requires more information. All cancer is “staged”. This is a determination of how advanced the cancer might be at the time of diagnosis. The surgical procedure depends on this determination. A cancer that is forming in a polyp is often very localized and can be removed with a polypectomy which is a minimally invasive procedure. I the cancer has evidence of spread beyond the rectum or if it is invading the rectal tissue more intensive procedures including a low anterior resection or more advanced surgical procedures are necessary for control or cure. A good place to obtain more information is on the website “www.cancer..org” published by the American Cancer Society which discusses all of the possible surgeries for rectal cancer. One can search using google on “rectal cancer surgery” and obtain the links. My suggestion would be to ask this question of your surgeon. The surgeon can discuss the pros and cons of the various approaches to this illness. It is important to remember that post-operative treatment may consist of radiation and/or chemotherapy to improve the chances of long-term control. It is routine to be sent to a medical oncologist for son opinion post-operatively. Good luck. READ MORE
What sedation is used for bone marrow biopsy?
Hello, You are asking what sedation is used for a bone marrow biopsy. Bone marrow biopsies are used to obtain a sample of bone marrow tissue that can be examined by a pathologist or a hematologist to make a diagnosis of an illness that involves the blood forming tissue in the bone marrow. These are usually performed by inserting a needle into the posterior crest (the bone that can be felt in the pelvic area to the side of the backbone in one’s back). This procedure is usually performed with local injected numbing medicine administered by the doctor performing the procedure. There is usually no need for sedation. The post procedure discomfort is usually mild and can be treated with Tylenol. If you have concerns these should be mentioned to your doctor. I hope that this is helpful. READ MORE
How long does it take for lung cancer to shrink after radiation?
You are asking about the ability to predict if lung cancer will shrink in response to radiation. This has been a question that is being asked by patients and physicians for a long time. The answer is that it is usually not possible to predict the response rate of any cancer to radiation or other treatments except by using the treatment and then assessing the growth pattern of the tumor after treatment. A usual method that is used by oncologists is to treat large numbers of patients for one to two months and then reassess by X-rays and assess the size of the tumor nodules. This is done for both radiation and chemotherapy. In lung cancer the histology of the tumor is important. Small cell lung cancer is often more radiation and chemotherapy sensitive than the more common non-small cell lung cancer. Depending on the histology surgery is often used as a primary treatment. Sometimes chemotherapy and radiation are used together as combination therapy. In 2021 immunotherapy has become important. The best approach might be to enroll in a clinical trial comparing or using a new treatment approach to improve the long-term control of each type of tumor. A good review of approaches to treatment of lung cancer was published by Amit Dos, Marcus Bell and John D MInna in Seminars in Radiation Oncology July 2010 pages 149-155. This is a summary of research efforts using molecular biology to predict the response rate of tumors to radiation. Survivals of various patient groups are compared. Good Luck. READ MORE
Question about hypospadias?
Hello, You are discussing hypospadias, which are an abnormal formation of the urethra which causes your urine to empty through an abnormal site on your penis. Urine exposure can cause chronic skin rashes. Later you may have abnormal experiences with sexual intercourse. It has been reported that abnormal positioning of the testes can occur in people who have this rare condition. Correction is generally surgical. Usually this is an outpatient procedure. I suggest that you consult with a urologist for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. READ MORE
Right breast ache?
Hello You are experiencing a discomfort under your right breast. This discomfort can be caused by many conditions. You state that it comes and goes. This is most likely caused by overexertion of your chest wall muscles. However, it is important to rule out other causes. At age 41 you should be having examinations and mammograms regularly. I would suggest that you consult with your doctor and have an examination to more accurately pinpoint the reason for your symptoms. Good luck READ MORE
The medicines I take?
Hello, You are stating that you have CLL for which you are going to receive chemotherapy. I suspect that steroids will be part of the chemotherapy regimen. You are worried about side effects or influences of allopurinol, pantoprazole or folic acid. These agents are used to lower your uric acid levels (allopurinol) or to treat ulcers or gastritis (pantroprazole). Folic Acid is a vitamin that is used by your body in the production of blood cells. Chemotherapy can be expected to cause effects which can lead to anemia and decreased blood cell production. The three medications that you mention are being used to treat other conditions and are not expected to interfere with the effect of chemotherapy on your CLL. Your doctor, though, needs to know about your used of these medications. Good luck. READ MORE
A surgical question?
Hello, You are asking a very perceptive question. Tonsillar Cancer is generally treated aggressively by physicians with the goal of eradicating the cancer when it is diagnosed, with a secondary aim of preventing a recurrence. It is usually treated in a multidisciplinary manner. Unfortunately there is no randomized trial that dictates the best approach and treatment recommendations are patient and physician dependent. Treatment approaches include surgery with or without lymph node dissections. This is done to control the primary area of the tumor. At times pre-operative chemotherapy can be used to shrink the primary tumor. Post-surgical therapy of radiation with or without chemotherapy is often used to sterilize the primary area where the cancer arose. More information about treatment approaches can be obtained online at websites including www.cityofhope.org or www.mayoclinic.org. If you search on “Treatment of tonsil cancer” many references will be identified. Your surgeon is apparently recommending surgical resection of the primary tumor without a lymph node dissection. It is, I think important, that you ask your surgeon this question. There is no definitive treatment approach that defines the primary treatment schedule for this type of cancer. All three types of treatment are effective in controlling this illness. Good luck. READ MORE
How long is a hospital stay after bone cancer surgery?
Hello, You are asking a question that is best discussed with your surgeon. It is difficult to answer youquestion with the information that you provided. There are many types of bone cancer surgery. The extent and side effects of the surgery depend on which bone is being excised and what the reconstruction efforts entail. Therefore a surgical procedure involving a bone in your basic skeleton is much different than a procedure involving a long bone in your arms or legs. The skull is another bone or bones that involves different and advanced procedures. The recovery time depends on the procedures being performed and the reconstruction of the area involved in the surgery. Recovery also depends on the physical rehabilitation prescribed which are very necessary to rigorously follow. Good luck! READ MORE