About
Bio
Associate Director of Head and Neck Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Assistant Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. I am an endocrine pathologist with additional practice of head and neck, genitourinary and gyn pathology.
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.
Pathology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
189 Answers
30 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
It depends: In general, testicular cancer is a treatable/curable disease. Your expectation should be based on the tumor type and stage of disease.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Serous cystadenoma on ovary can cells change can turn into cancer if i waiting too long for surgery?
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Serous cystadenoma: The only way to make the diagnosis of serous cystadenoma is by surgery. So, if the ovary is still inside, that diagnosis may have been suggested by u... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Very different: Chronic tonsillitis is recurrent infection and benign. Tonsil cancer is usually a non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma caused by human papilloma ... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Post-trauma: It is normal to have urethral discomfort after a procedure. It depends on how long after. If it lasts several days without improvement or worsens, p... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Thyroidectomy: Much depends on the timing of your surgery, replacement hormones, and what the diagnosis was. Benign is not specific enough, as there was a reason fo... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Concordance: Concordance means that what the radiologist sees by imaging (solid mass, cystic mass, etc) matches in consistency with the diagnosis pathologist makes... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old male asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Not directly: Anxiety is a complex problem. It can be found in isolation as a unique problem, or it may be a result of other issues or made worse by other issues. ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Synthroid (thyroxine) : Higher doses of synthroid (thyroxine) should lower your tsh, not raise it. You should never change a dose of prescription medication without working ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Hemoglobin A1C: This is a rough estimate of average blood sugar control over a three month period, more accurate than a single fasting blood glucose (sugar) level, wh... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Naked eye: A papillary excrescence is a gross finding, meaning that it certainly can be seen by the naked eye. However, what that excrescence actually represent... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Rhabdomyosarcoma: This is a malignant tumor of skeletal muscle. It can be seen in kids, but it occurs at all ages.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
No: Testicular cancers, particularly mixed malignant germ cell tumors, of which choriocarcinoma falls into, are not generally inherited but occur sporadic... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Lymph nodes: Your doctor is likely surveying for the presence of enlarged worrisome lymph nodes, but the fact that they're small, uniform and lacking vasculature a... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Jaundice : A number of things can cause jaundice and elevated liver function tests, including obstruction by neoplasms. Although the prior cancer history is unc... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
See a doctor: Five weeks is quite a long time for symptoms of a transient virus. It would be in your daughter's best interest to get an appointment with her doctor... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Exam: It sounds you need a visit to your gynecologist who performed the surgery. Your doctor can discuss the many causes of increased frequency and do addi... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Nodules : Most are benign, but your doctor may want to biopsy to ensure this. Good to have a discussion.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
No: Emotional changes are generally not associated with non-functional pituitary tumors. However, it is important to understand these changes, and i sugg... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old male asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Unclear: Talk with your doctor. Parathyroid disease is not contagious, and if your doctor thought you both should get further testing, there is likely part of... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
TSH: Tsh, thyroid stimulating hormone (or thyrotropin), is made by the pituitary gland in the brain and signals the thyroid to make thyroid hormone. Tsh m... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Barrett's: Treatment largely focuses on changes to diet and continued monitoring.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Maybe: Hyperlipidemias, several types, often have a genetic component. So, a cure is often not possible. However, these disorders can be reduced by an appr... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Yes: Urgency can certainly be associated with a urinary tract infection, especially if these symptoms occurred suddenly. Call your doctor to set up a urin... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 63-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Not good: Ovarian cancer (serous carcinoma) is devastating, as it often is discovered at a late stage. With recurrent disease, a cure is very unlikely. Depend... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Receptors: Certain tumor cells express protein receptors on their surfaces. They can cause stimulation or repression of tumor growth. Understanding what recept... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Treated?: Have you already been treated for two weeks, and it's persistent? Or, you've had symptoms for two weeks? In either case, pop in to your primary care... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Prognosis: The prognosis (outlook) for anyone with stage IV ovarian cancer is quite grave. Additionally, if your sister is having frank blood while on the toile... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Yes: Heavy bleeding following an early pregnancy very likely means that the pegnancy has failed.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Cramping: The procedure is variably uncomfortable for different patients, but generally quite tolerable. Some patients may have some discomfort or cramping, du... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Lack of hunger: Loss of appetite can occur from a number of diverse causes. Since it is noticeable to you and concerns you, it is important to talk about this with y... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Lymph nodes: Lymph is a fluid carried in channels called the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are stations along that system. Cancers arising in the lymphatic syste... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
It does happen: Many tumors, especially without noticeable symptoms, are diagnosed following metastasis. Depending upon how the tumor appears under the microscope, a... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Genital herpes: If you've never had an outbreak, it would be a good idea to meet with your gyn now, with potentially active disease, for a discussion.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
No: The risk of cancer from a single x-ray exposure is minimal, to the face, it's about the equivalent of a one day exposure to sunlight and adds to your ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Maybe: First degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter) of patients with breast cancer are at increased risk for developing cancer. More distant relatives ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Urine and cystoscopy: Cytology evaluation of urine is a good first screen for bladder cancer. Urine screening is sensitive for high grade tumors but not for low grade tumo... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Your doc: Since you have a doctor who has discussed your symptoms more thoroughly with you, it's probably a better idea to discuss with her/him the possibilitie... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
MFH: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is an umbrella term used to describe a range of more specific sarcomas. Although many of these tumors have unique cyto... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Tonsil cancer: Most malignancies of the tonsil are non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas that are hpv-related. Unlike other squamous cell carcinomas of the head... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Abnormal: The thyroid function test results you show are indicative of a person with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Your weight doubling is very unus... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Not common: Although pathology can be subject to interpretation, including the presence and severity of dysplasia, the finding of h. Pylori should be straight for... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Lymph nodes: Lymph node disease occurs for a number reasons. Any noticeable enlargement in a group of lymph nodes, especially painless, with accompanying fevers, ... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Good question: Cancer describes a range of diseases in which one of your body's cells, or group of cells, undergo a change in genetic background that allows the cell... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Many things: ...Can cause atypical glandular cells on a pap smear, several relating to age fertility, menstrual cycle, etc. This is the us in the agus (undetermin... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Seizure: Any number of things can lead to a seizure. Having a seizure does not imply epilepsy, but it is part of the diagnostic spectrum. Any seizure is a me... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Treat it: See your doctor about getting treatment for the recurrence. You will want to discuss possible reasons for the infection and how to prevent further in... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
No: Uterine cancer is not contagious.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
D-dimer: A positive d-dimer test can support a concern for pulmonary embolism. It is important to understand the reason for the test in order to understand th... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Have it checked: There is a range of things that this could be, depending on the exact location on your lip, duration, etc. You should see your health care provider f... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Colon cancer: Genetic alterations (changes in the dna or ways in which dna is regulated) in the epithelium of the colon (the cells that line the colon) are the sour... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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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.
4
Recommendations
409
Thank you notes
Sep 27, 2012
A great physician & educator
HealthTap member
Dec 6, 2012
Dr. Sadow stresses the importance of identifying & correcting a root cause of the problems. Too sad it's hard to find a local doctor who has his insights, who is willing to take extra steps to dig dee...Read More
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Sadow is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks! I have an appt in morn. I'm a Postal carrier, so I do a lot of repetitive work & heavy lifting. I'm afraid I went back too soon
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I'm concerned about genetic discrimination by insurance companies should result come out pos.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I discovered a dent on the rt side of my skull... Got longer . No fall
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, IL
Graduated 2004MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, IL
Graduated 2002MD
Residency
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
Awards
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Top Pathologist, First Place, Massachusetts - Winter
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
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