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Dr. Isabel Carlton Clark, MD is a general surgeon in Napa, CA specializing in general surgery and trauma surgery. She graduated from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. Dr. Isabel Carlton Clark, MD is affiliated with Providence, Providence Medical Foundation, Hill Physicians, NORTHBAY HEALTHCARE GROUP, PERMANENTE MEDICAL GROUP INC, Queen of the Valley Medical Center and Providence Medical Group Napa.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove a small sample of cells for testing. The cells are examined in a laboratory to check for disease, or sometimes to see how badly a known disease is affecting them. Biopsy can be performed on any part of the body.
Although biopsy is most often associated with cancer, it can also be used to check for other diseases, such as infections. A biopsy sample can be scraped, cut, collected with a needle, taken with a machine that punches out a tiny piece, or removed with the tiny tools in an endoscope.
In most cases, a biopsy is a simple outpatient procedure. Depending on the procedure, patients may need to stop taking certain medications beforehand, such as blood thinners. It is important for patients to tell doctors if they are pregnant, as certain biopsies require the use of x-rays to guide the needle to the right location. There is usually very little pain associated with a biopsy. Patients will have to wait a few days to hear the results.
Breast Biopsy
Breast biopsy is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is collected from the breast for testing. A physician may prescribe a breast biopsy for a variety of reasons, but they are most frequently prescribed for a lump found in the breast. Biopsy samples extracted are examined by pathologists in a laboratory setting and are tested to determine if they are cancerous or benign, or indicative of some other condition. Depending on the lab results, physicians may prescribe additional treatment. Other circumstances which may prompt a breast biopsy include:
Breast biopsies are collected through several different procedures and the specific type of biopsy that a patient receives depends on the size, location, and features of a breast lump or irregularity. The three main methods of collecting a breast biopsy include:
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are sometimes image-guided, where a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI helps direct the physician performing the needle extraction.
Fine needle aspiration, the most common biopsy method, generally requires few patient preparations. It is recommended patients avoid using lotion, deodorant, and perfume prior to their biopsy procedure. FNA biopsy is performed with local anesthesia (topical numbing cream) and typically has a quick recovery, but patients may experience soreness for a few days. Core needle biopsy extracts slightly more tissue than an FNA biopsy.
Open (surgical) biopsy is more invasive and requires general anesthesia, where patients are put to sleep during the procedure. Patients must fast prior to the surgery. After the biopsy is performed, patients are monitored in a recovery room for a time before being discharged, when they will need someone else to provide transportation.
Although some may consider breast biopsy to be a simple procedure, it can catch critical issues - particularly breast cancer - that impact wellness. If a breast biopsy reveals an underlying condition like life-threatening cancer, patients can receive the diagnosis and medical treatment that is necessary for their long-term health.
Pancreatectomy (Pancreas Removal)
Pancreatectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas to treat pancreatitis, tumors, or cancer. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and near the small intestine and spleen. There are three sections of the pancreas:
Pancreas removal procedures differ based on how much of the pancreas and surrounding organs are removed. There are three types of pancreatectomy:
Pancreatectomy can be done by open or minimally invasive surgery. During a laparoscopic pancreatectomy, the surgeon will use tiny incisions to insert a thin tube with a camera, or laparoscope, into the abdomen. Open surgery, or a laparotomy, is performed through a larger incision on the abdomen. If additional organs are removed, some procedures may require that the small intestine be reconnected to the stomach.
The hospital for pancreatectomy stay may be between 1-3 weeks. Generally, laparoscopic surgeries require shorter recovery periods. Whether patients undergo an open or laparoscopic procedure is determined by factors such as their condition and the extent of their procedure. For example, open surgery tends to be more common for distal pancreatectomies. If patients have difficulty eating, they may require a nasogastric tube, inserted through the nose, to carry food to their stomachs. A catheter can be inserted into the bladder if patients have trouble urinating. Full recovery may take about two months.
Dr. Isabel Carlton Clark, MD graduated from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. She completed residency at East Carolina University Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery, Surgical Critical Care and has a state license in California.
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Residency: East Carolina University Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
Licensed In: California
Dr. Isabel Carlton Clark, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Isabel Carlton Clark, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna PPO, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA HMO, Western Health Advantage HMO, Blue Shield of California, MultiPlan PPO, Medicare Advantage, HealthSmart, Interplan PPO, TriWest, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Health Net PPO, Cigna, Health Net HMO, Anthem, Coventry PPO, United Healthcare PPO, Health Net, US Family Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna Medicare PPO, Western Health Advantage (WHA), Partnership Health Plan of California and CoventryFirst Health PPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Isabel Carlton Clark, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Isabel Clark practices general surgery and trauma surgery in Fairfield, CA, Orange, CA, and Napa, CA. After completing medical school at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Dr. Clark performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with East Carolina University. Areas of expertise for Dr. Clark include laparoscopic gastrostomy, fine needle aspiration (FNA), and pancreatectomy (pancreas removal). She seems to honor Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Blue California, and more. She is affiliated with Hill Physicians and Providence Medical Foundation. According to Hill Physicians, new patients are welcome to contact Dr. Clark's office in Fairfield, CA.
