Dr. Della Howell
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Milton, KY
24 years experience
Locations
Office
Practice website
About
Bio
Dr. Della Howell is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric hematologist / oncologist practicing in San Antonio, TX. She specializes in the care of young children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer, blood disorders, rare cancers, and the long-term effects of cancer therapy.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
40 Answers
0 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Almost any age: While most people who get thyroid cancer are older, it can occur in teenagers and in even those less than 10 years old. Those who have been exposed t... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Yes.: Hair loss during cancer treatment depends on the types of treatment being used. Many chemotherapy agents (not all) cause temporary hair loss, while r... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Possibly: If your child is on an active treatment protocol that affects the immune system, then the development of any infection can be serious. Your child mig... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Many possible things: Leukemia (blood cancer) mainly affects bone marrow. This disrupts the production of normal blood cells leading to anemia, infections, and bleeding or ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
It may be the same: A tumor is abnormal tissue that is growing in an area where it really shouldn't be found. Tumors can be benign (such as meningiomas) or malignant (suc... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Beta or alpha?: Bone marrow transplants have been used to cure people of beta-thalassemia major. Those with beta-thal minor or Alpha thal trait typically don't need... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Sometimes: Many cancers seem to have a genetic component. For example, those who have Down syndrome (an extra chromosome #21) are more likely to get leukemia th... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Leukopenia is not: The cause of cancer, but it can be a sign that something is wrong in the body. For some, leukopenia is a sign of cancer, but for others, it is a sign... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
It depends: Bone marrow transplants are currently done for many different types of cancers. The type of cancer, the number of relapses, the age of the patient, t... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Neoadjuvant therapy: Is typically used when a patient needs a tumor surgically removed but the doctors think it would be best to shrink the tumor some before the surgery a... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Carcinoid tumors: Are just one of the many different types of cancer that people can get.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
No: At this time there is no proven link between carcinoid tumors and asbestos. Asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
It depends: This depends on the type of cancer, the type of treatments, and the side effects of the therapy. Some are out of school using a homebound schooling ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
It's never easy: When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it makes people wonder how this can happen - how can someone so young get a disease so devastating. Rely on you... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Not always true: Cancer that affects children tends to be fast growing and aggressive. It requires aggressive treatments which the children (who are otherwise usually... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
There are several: Different ways to help out children who are going through treatment for significant illnesses. Volunteer at the hospitals. Fund raise for groups that ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
It depends: Without knowing what type of liver cancer it is, it is difficult to give an accurate survival rate. Unfortunately, in general, stage 4 describes adva... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Depends on the type: There are several different types of bone cancer. Some are considered to be more benign, some are more malignant. Some respond to surgical removal a... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Leukemia originates: In the bone marrow, so when the cancer cells grow in this area they crowd out normal cells that should be produced. This causes anemia, bleeding/bruis... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
It depends: The symptoms that go along with the lymph node and the location of the lymph node should be considered. If you are unhappy with the doctor's response... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
If anemic, no: The red cross won't let people who are anemic donate blood. People are checked for anemia at their screening for blood donation, and if your hemoglobi... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Yes: Many people have Alpha thalassemia trait and sickle trait together. This combination rarely leads to any significant medical concerns. Fewer people a... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
No: G6pd deficiency is a genetic disorder that is passed down on the x chromosome. A person who has this diagnosis cannot get rid of it. However, the enzy... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
1000 in the US: But it is estimated to be 500000 babies worldwide.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Most likely, yes.: You can do a search on clinicaltrials.Gov - this gives a listing of all available clinical trials. Not knowing what specific type of head and neck can... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Perhaps: The red cross will accept donors with Alpha thalassemia trait, provided that they are not anemic at the time they present (hemoglobin must be 12.5 or ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Depends: On your symptoms. Tumors of the gallbladder do occur, although they are relatively rare.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Perhaps: Many treatments for cancer (various chemotherapy agents, some radiation treatments, etc.) have side effects of weakening the body's immune system by l... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Further biopsy: If there is a strong suspicion that cancer is present and the fine needle aspiration didn't show cancerous cells, then the physician may recommend a s... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
It depends: On the location of the tumor. Most neuroblastoma cases occur in the abdomen. This surgery is often technically challenging because you have to "peel" ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Any age: While neuroblastoma is typically a disease of younger children, even infants, it can occur in adults. I have personally treated patients who were dia... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Depends on the tumor: This really depends on where the tumor is located and the aggressiveness of the tumor (benign, malignant). Tumors in the brain stem can affect a perso... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Maybe: If it's just a plain / regular x-ray study, many cancers in the neck will not be picked up using this method. However, a cat scan (ct), MRI or ultras... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Not really: A high white blood cell count itself does not cause cancer. It is usually associated with some kind of infection or inflammation in the body, althoug... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Exercise and general: Activity is overall a good thing for these kids. But, precautions need to be taken - drink lots of fluids, especially with activities. Some organized ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
This may depend on: The age of the child and his or her interests. For those children who spend a lot of time in the hospital for their treatments, games and activities ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
There may not be one: I'm not aware of a specific charity that donates to all groups equally. Even defining "equal" is tough - equal in terms of number of cases of cancer p... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Probably not: But if this is a persistent problem for you, then it is best to be examined by a physician to rule out a serious cause.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Your blood tests: The same blood tests that doctors run to check for anemia in a person can also give a clue as to the cause of anemia. With iron deficiency, red blood... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Della Howellanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
They can be: Usually testicular cancer presents as a mass in the testicle that may or may not be painful. Having a mass in the testicle may increase the chance of... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
108
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Howell is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Howell is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your quick reply made me feel good!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, VA
Graduated 1998MD
Awards
HealthTap Founding Doctor
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