If you’d like to discuss any symptoms or concerns with Mr Youssef or would just like a second opinion, you can call, email or book an appointment here.
Mr Haney Youssef
Conditions
Learn more about the wide range of conditions that Mr Youssef commonly treats.
Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK. It’s very treatable and the earlier we catch it, the greater your chances of a positive outcome.
Bowel cancer commonly begins in your large bowel (also called your colon) or in your rectum. Mr Youssef is here to help with a fast and accurate diagnosis and seamless pathway to the best treatment.
Your own risk of developing bowel cancer depends on a whole range of factors including your age, inherited genetics and your lifestyle. A good diet is key to a healthy bowel and can help lower your risk. That means a lot of fibre, with limited red and processed meat. Maintaining a healthy weight is important too and you should avoid smoking, regularly exercise and limit how much alcohol you drink.
As with most cancers, you’re more likely to develop bowel cancer as you age, although it’s possible for it to develop it at any age. Bowel cancer can also run in families, known as an inherited or hereditary risk. Whether or not you have an inherited risk, it’s a good idea to regularly have a bowel cancer screening which can help to detect polyps and early cancers.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms can help you seek advice promptly. Contact us if you notice any of the following new, persistent or unusual changes:
- An unexplained change to your bowel habits that doesn’t go away
- Blood in your stool, or bleeding from your bottom
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme, unexplained tiredness
- Pain or a noticeable lump in your stomach
Appendix cancer
Appendix cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the appendix, which is a small, finger-shaped pouch connected to your large intestine. The two main types of appendix cancer are carcinomas and neuroendocrine tumours, also known as carcinoid tumours. Carcinoid tumours are the most common appendix cancers, making up about half of those diagnosed.
Cancer of the appendix is very rare and can be difficult to detect early. In many cases, it’s found unexpectedly during surgery for other abdominal conditions, such as appendicitis.
While the exact causes of appendix cancer are not fully understood, we do know that it’s more commonly diagnosed in women than in men. You’re also more likely to be diagnosed with it if you’re over 40, a smoker or if you have a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome or other appendix cancers.
Having certain stomach conditions such as atrophic gastritis or pernicious anaemia also increases your risk of developing the disease.
There are a range of symptoms associated with appendix cancer, but they’re also common to many other conditions. So, it’s always important to seek help and get anything you’re worried about professionally checked. Early symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Persistent changes in bowel function
- A growing abdominal mass
Once the cancer spreads, you may develop fluid in your abdomen and find yourself quickly feeling full after eating and suffering from unexplained weight loss and fatigue. Early diagnosis can make a vital difference, so if you have any concerns, get in touch.
Peritoneal cancer
Cancers that develop in the peritoneum, the protective layer of tissue that lines the inside of your abdomen and your abdominal organs, are known as peritoneal cancers. Peritoneal tumours can be a primary cancer, or more commonly, they may have spread from another organ such as your bowel, appendix, stomach, small intestine or ovaries.
These cancers can be complex to diagnose and treat, and specialist expertise like Mr Youssef’s is often required.
Both men and women can develop peritoneal tumours, although they are slightly more common in women. Diagnosing tumours at a late stage is the main risk factor for developing peritoneal tumours, particularly for patients with bowel, appendix and ovarian cancer.
Bloating, abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits are all common signs and symptoms of peritoneal cancers. Because these symptoms are common to many conditions, diagnosis usually involves imaging tests such as ultrasound and CT scanning and blood tests for tumour markers such as CA125.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of your appendix. This finger-shaped pouch sticks out from your colon on the lower right-hand side of your belly and it’s very painful when it becomes infected, needing urgent hospital treatment.
Appendicitis can sometimes be treated with antibiotics, but surgery to remove the appendix is often recommended to prevent recurrence. This is a relatively common procedure that Mr Youssef has a great deal of experience in.
Anyone can develop appendicitis however we most often see it in teenagers and young adults up to 30 years old. It’s slightly more common in men than women and if you have a family history of appendicitis, that’s likely to increase your own risk of developing it.
Some studies suggest that lifestyle and environmental factors may play a role. A diet low in fibre and high in sugary drinks, smoking, and frequent use of antibiotics have all been linked to a higher incidence of appendicitis, although the exact causes are not fully understood.
Appendicitis usually starts with pain in the middle of your tummy around your belly button, shifting to the lower right-hand side of your abdomen and getting progressively worse. The pain may also feel worse when you move, cough or press on the area and pulling your knees up to your chest may help to temporarily relieve it.
If appendicitis is not treated promptly, the appendix can burst. This may cause temporary relief of pain, followed by severe pain spreading across the abdomen. That’s why you should always seek urgent hospital treatment if you suspect you have appendicitis.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the site of your pain may vary, depending on your age and the position of your appendix. For example, in pregnancy, you may feel the pain in your upper belly because your appendix sits higher in your body.
Other symptoms of appendicitis can include:
- Feeling or being sick or a loss of appetite
- A high temperature
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Peeing more than usual
- Sudden confusion in older people
- A bloated, gassy belly
Femoral hernia
Hernias occur when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. A femoral hernia is a rare type of hernia created when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh.
Femoral hernias are usually treated with prompt surgery, either open or laparoscopic, to move the bulge back into place and strengthen the abdominal wall. This is because they come with a higher risk of complications such as bowel obstruction or strangulation if left untreated. There is a chance of recurrence after surgery, but rest assured, Mr Youssef can talk you through all the challenges as well as the benefits during your consultation.
Femoral hernias are far more common in women because the female pelvis is wider and they’re rare in children, usually occurring in older ladies.
They may appear suddenly after straining the abdomen — for example, when lifting heavy loads or straining on the toilet due to constipation. Being overweight or having a persistent, heavy cough can also be a cause of femoral hernia.
A femoral hernia will look and feel like painful lump in the inner upper part of your thigh or groin. You may be able to push this lump back in when you lie down, but if you cough or strain the lump will likely appear again. If you notice a new lump in your groin, especially if it’s painful or changes in size, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly. Get in touch and see how Mr Youssef can help you.
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia happens when tissue, such as part of your intestine, pokes through a weak spot in your abdominal muscles. Many inguinal hernias aren’t painful although the resulting bulge may be, especially when lifting a heavy object, coughing or bending over.
Sometimes newborn babies and older children have inguinal hernias because of a weakness in their abdominal wall that's present at birth.
Inguinal hernias don’t improve on their own, and if left untreated they can sometimes lead to serious complications. Repair is a common surgical procedure, and surgery is usually advised if the hernia is increasing in size or causing symptoms. If you have an inguinal hernia that’s starting to get bigger, get in touch and book a consultation.
Having increased pressure on your abdomen, a weak spot in your abdominal wall, aging and being male all increase your risk of developing an inguinal hernia. Chronic straining from constipated bowel movements or vigorous urination, persistent coughing or sneezing and strenuous activities such as heavy lifting or being pregnant can also cause an inguinal hernia, as can having a family history of inguinal hernias.
An inguinal hernia presents as a bulge either side of your pubic bone. It’s usually more obvious when you’re standing upright, coughing or straining. You may also experience:
- A burning or aching sensation at the bulge
- Pain, discomfort or pressure in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting
- Pain and swelling around the testicles if your protruding intestine has descended into your scrotum
Umbilical hernia
If you notice a soft swelling or bulge near your navel, it may be an umbilical hernia. This develops when part of your intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in your abdominal muscles.
Umbilical hernias are most common in infants and usually painless, but adults can develop them as well.
Anything that increases pressure inside the abdomen can raise your risk, including obesity, multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets), or ascites (a build-up of fluid in the abdomen). Chronic coughing, heavy lifting and previous abdominal surgery can also make you more susceptible.
An umbilical hernia appears as a lump in or near the belly button. It’s often painless, but may become more noticeable when laughing, coughing, crying or going to the toilet, and may shrink when lying down. In babies and children, umbilical hernias are usually harmless and painless, but in adults they are less likely to go away on their own and may require treatment.
Incisional hernia
An incisional hernia is a bulge of tissue that develops at the site of a healing surgical scar. Incisional hernias are a recognised complication after abdominal surgery, which can cause a weak point to develop in your abdominal wall. It’s a common type of hernia, accounting for up 20 percent of all abdominal hernias, and often requires treatment from a specialist.
Your risk of developing an incisional hernia increases if you have poor wound healing, especially after an emergency procedure or large surgery.
The risk is higher if wound healing is impaired – for example, after emergency or major surgery. Increased abdominal pressure from obesity, chronic coughing or constipation can also be contributing factors.
If you have an incisional hernia, you’ll have a visible lump or protrusion near the site of a previous surgical scar. It can cause discomfort, aching or sharp pain, especially when you’re standing, coughing or lifting. You may also experience bloating, constipation, nausea and fever.
Gallbladder disease
Gallbladder disease is most often caused by gallstones, which can block the flow of bile through your bile ducts, causing inflammation and pain. Your gallbladder is a small organ in your digestive system which stores some of the bile your liver makes, sending it to your small intestine to help it break down food through a series of pipes called bile ducts.
Gallbladder disease can begin in your gallbladder itself or in the bile ducts connected to it. Any infection or blockage in these ducts can back up into your gallbladder. Because the bile ducts connect your gallbladder with other organs in your digestive system, gallbladder disease can affect these other organs too.
Types of gallbladder disease include:
- Biliary dyskinesia
- Cholangiopathy
- Gallbladder cancer
- Gallstones
- Gangrene
- Inflammation
In many cases, surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most effective treatment.
If you’re female, over 40, obese or have a family history of gallbladder disease, you’re more likely to get it yourself. A diet high in fat and low in fibre, a history of rapid weight loss, or medical conditions such as diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and advanced liver disease can also increase your risk.
Medications including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some cholesterol-lowering drugs as well as prolonged fasting increase the risk too.
One of the main symptoms of gallbladder disease is sudden, intense upper abdominal pain, often spreading to your back. It may last for hours and be triggered by fatty meals.
Other signs include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Jaundice
Lipoma
A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that sits between your skin and the muscle layer beneath it. It usually feels soft and rubbery and often isn't painful or tender. You can usually move it with a small amount of finger pressure, as if it’s not connected to your skin.
Lipomas often develop as we age, and some people have more than one.
The good news is that a lipoma isn't cancer, and it’s typically harmless. You often won’t need any treatment but if a lipoma bothers you – or if it's painful or growing – Mr Youssef can help you to remove it.
Although lipomas can develop at any age, they’re most common in 40-60-year-olds. You’re also more likely to develop a lipoma if someone in your family has one.
Age and family history are key risk factors in developing these benign lumps. Additional lifestyle contributors include obesity, a lack of exercise or previous trauma to an area of the body.
If you have a lipoma, you’ll typically feel a soft, oval-shaped lump just beneath your skin. They’re usually painless and don’t cause any other symptoms. In rare cases, deeper lipomas can press on nearby organs and cause symptoms such as nausea, constipation and/or abdominal discomfort.
Mr Youssef has extensive experience of diagnosing and treating lipomas that effect your bowel area.
Anal conditions
Anal conditions include haemorrhoids (swollen veins), anal fissures (tears), anal fistulas, and pilonidal sinus. Treatment depends on the specific condition and its severity. Mr Youssef has a great deal of experience in this area, offering fully personalised treatment, depending on your condition and unique needs.
It's not always clear what causes haemorrhoids and anal fissures, but we do know that they’re more common in people aged 15 to 40, and in young children.
You may be more likely to develop them if you:
- Frequently have constipation or diarrhoea
- Are pregnant or have given birth vaginally
- Have a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Have certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis or herpes.
Anal symptoms can be sensitive to discuss, but it’s important to share any concerns – especially if you’re experiencing pain or bleeding – with your clinician.
The symptoms you’re experiencing will depend on which disorder you have, but some of the more common include:
- Anal bleeding
- Discharge
- Itching
- Pain
- Swelling
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