We are thrilled to sponsor the First Annual Celebrate Life Survivors Day 5k Walk/Run, which will take place in Wake Forest, NC, at E. Carroll Joyner Park on June 2, 2024! As National Cancer Survivors Day recognizes: “Anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life – is a cancer survivor.” This event will not only be a walk/run but also a space that will be transformed into “SURVIVORville,” a place where all survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, families and friends can gather to celebrate life and one another. Please join us in cel ..read more

When prescribed infusion therapy, or intravenous (IV) therapy, patients can choose where they want to receive their infusions. Selecting an infusion center with high credentials and an emphasis on patient experience can significantly impact your overall outcomes. Patients can select where to receive IV infusion therapy, so carefully evaluate the options to find the best fit for you. This article will discuss the important factors to consider when choosing an infusion center. Infusion therapy overview Infusion therapy is a way to deliver medication directly into the bloodstream through a n ..read more

Many people say that staying mentally sharp is a high priority as they age. Memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can impact independent living, challenge relationships and lead to greater health decline. In this article, we define dementia, discuss dementia risk factors, and share ways to prevent memory loss. Defining dementia and its prevalence Dementia is an “umbrella category” for diseases or illnesses that cause mental decline and affect daily living. Damage to the brain’s nerve cells causes dementia, impacting their ability to communicate with the rest of the brain. It commo ..read more

Shingles is a virus that usually arises with a painful skin rash. One-third of the U.S. population will develop shingles sometime during their life, the Centers for Disease Control reports. While most people who get shingles will only have it one time, it can reoccur. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, was once thought to only affect people over the age of 50. In recent years, however, doctors and hospitals have been reporting an increase in shingles cases in younger patients. In this blog, our primary care physicians offer patients advice and information about shingles treatment and preve ..read more

In 2002, Andrew “Andy” Matrone, began experiencing fatigue, muscle cramps, visual problems, nausea, muscle tremors and memory loss. His primary care provider noticed low iron levels and referred him to Dr. Castillos at Personalized Hematology-Oncology. Dr. Castillos ran a complete metabolic profile and diagnosed Andy with hypomagnesemia – a condition in which the patient has low levels of magnesium, calcium or potassium. Andy shares his experience as a patient of Personalized Hematology-Oncology, receiving regular magnesium infusions: Finding a nephrologist was one the biggest challenges in th ..read more

The medical community continuously seeks to discover new cancer treatments and blood disorder treatments. New therapies work best when doctors listen, diagnose correctly and find the best treatment for patients. Personalized Hematology-Oncology takes advancing medical treatments for the good of our patients seriously. Our practice stays on the cutting edge of new treatments. We have recently introduced new therapies for ovarian cancer and for a rare blood disorder. Both have provided our patients with positive results. New cancer treatment offers ovarian cancer patients longer lives A new drug ..read more

Anemia is a common blood disorder. Nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide are affected by anemia and more than 3 million people in the United States experience the condition. More than 400 types of anemia exist, so receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment for anemia is important. Treating anemia with iron infusions raises the red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels. What is anemia? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, anemia is the most common blood disorder. It occurs when there is a deficiency of healthy red blood cells in a person’s body because the body does not make ..read more

Prioritizing your health is more important than ever. People in the U.S. are facing a growing health crisis as rates of diseases continue to rise. Many of these diseases are preventable with lifestyle changes and early intervention. In our latest blog, we explore the top 5 health problems in the U.S. and prevention tips. Heart disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Nearly 860,000 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each year. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD can lead to heart attacks because it decreases blood flow to ..read more

Ed Evon – a husband, father and cancer patient – is being treated for stage-four metastatic prostate cancer. Showing no symptoms at all, he learned he had cancer in 2017 during a routine yearly physical. In this article, Ed shares his heartfelt and uplifting story about his experience living with cancer, his new perspective on life and how every day is precious. Tell us about your cancer diagnosis. I was first diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in 2017 following a routine annual physical. I then began the long and arduous treatment process. Dr. Castillos is actually the secon ..read more

Infusion therapy – also called IV therapy – is often associated with cancer treatment. It was designed to deliver various medications into the bloodstream, but it is not just for chemotherapy. Some drugs lose effectiveness when taken orally, so they must be administered intravenously. This article answers your questions about “what is infusion therapy” and explains how it is used beyond chemotherapy. What is infusion therapy? Infusion therapy is the administration of fluids, medications or nutrients directly into the bloodstream through a needle or catheter. These infusions provide precis ..read more