Tests and Procedures

Find out what to expect during a 3D mammogram to look for breast cancer. Learn how this newer test compares to a standard mammogram.

Learn more about the preparation for and results of this common diabetes blood test.

Learn why surgery to remove the uterus, known as a hysterectomy, might be done and what to expect if you need this surgery.

An ultrasound of the abdomen is the preferred test to screen for an aortic aneurysm. But it may be done for other health reasons, too. Learn why.

Learn about why doctors may recommend active surveillance for prostate cancer and what to expect.

Practitioners use this integrative medicine technique to treat common problems such as back pain, neck pain and joint pain to influence energy flow.

Learn what to expect from this surgery that involves removing an adrenal gland.

Allergy shots offer long-term relief from allergy symptoms. The treatments take 3 to 5 years to complete.

Considering skin testing for your allergies? Learn about the risks, results and what to expect during testing.

Learn about this type of bone marrow transplant using stem cells from donor blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.

Find out about this prenatal test that checks the fluid surrounding the baby during pregnancy.

An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is one test used to help determine if you have an autoimmune disease such as lupus.

Find out more about this test for peripheral artery disease.

If you have a leaky heart valve, this treatment to repair a ring around the valve may be recommended. Learn when and how it's done.

Learn more about this complex heart surgery done where the body's main artery, known as the aorta, meets the heart.

These types of heart valve surgeries are done to treat aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation.

Learn more about this procedure that uses a slim fiber-optic camera to diagnose and treat joint problems.

Learn how heat or cold energy can treat an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

This treatment uses heat energy to treat a rapid, fluttering heartbeat. Know why and when it's done.

Understand this type of bone marrow transplant that uses your own blood stem cells to treat blood disorders and cancers.

Learn who may benefit from this cardiac catheter procedure to correct persistent atrial fibrillation, or AFib.

Awake brain surgery is performed while you are awake and alert. This type of brain surgery may be used to treat some brain tumors or epileptic seizures.

Bariatric surgery can be a helpful weight loss tool — but it's not for everyone. Learn about available procedures and the risks and results of surgery.

Find out how to prepare and what to expect if your doctor has recommended a barium enema.

Learn the steps for tracking body temperature for pregnancy or contraception. Find out when during your menstrual cycle you're more likely to be fertile.

Learn about a two-part weight-loss procedure that involves making the stomach smaller and reconnecting parts of the small intestine.

Find out what to expect from a bilirubin test — an important blood test that determines how your liver is functioning.

This technique teaches you to control your body's functions, such as your heart rate and breathing patterns. It can be helpful for a variety of health problems.

Learn how to use this type of birth control that delivers estrogen and progestin through a patch you wear on your skin to prevent pregnancy.

Learn about new ways to surgically remove the bladder and rebuild another urinary system.

Learn what's involved and the risks, as well as what kind of results you can expect from this eyelid surgery.

Learn what these donations involve and what the risks are.

Find out what to expect during blood donation and how your blood will be used to help others.

Learn how this simple test is done, how often you need one and what the results mean.

A blood transfusion can help replace blood lost due to surgery or injury. It also can help if an illness prevents your body from making blood correctly.

Learn about the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test to assess kidney function and what possible results could mean.

If your doctor suspects you have osteoporosis, a bone density test can assess your bone strength. Learn about the risks and results of this procedure.

Learn what to expect with these tests, which are done to make sure your bone marrow is healthy.

Learn about this procedure that replaces unhealthy bone marrow with stem cells. Your own cells, donor cells or cells from umbilical cord blood may be used.

This diagnostic test can be used to check for cancer that has spread to the bones, skeletal pain that can't be explained, bone infection or a bone injury.

Learn about the uses, risks and results of this treatment for facial wrinkles and medical conditions, such as migraine and heavy sweating.

During brachytherapy cancer treatment, radioactive material is placed inside the body. Find out how brachytherapy is done and who it's for.

This procedure delivers precise radiation therapy to treat brain tumors and other brain conditions.

Find out what to expect if you're considering a blood test to determine if you have an increased risk of breast cancer. Learn what your results might mean.

Learn about surgery to increase breast size, as well as the risks, benefits, possible complications and follow-up care.

Learn about this test that's used to diagnose breast cancer, including why it's done, risks and what to expect.

Learn about the services available to help you feel better during and after breast cancer treatment.

Learn about the types of operations used to treat breast cancer, including lumpectomy, mastectomy, lymph node surgery and breast reconstruction.

Learn more about this procedure that reshapes and raises the breasts.

Learn more about how this imaging test helps diagnose cancer and when it's used.

Find out what to expect if you're considering breast reconstruction. Learn about the options, incuding TRAM, DIEP and latissimus dorsi flap procedures.

Find out what to expect if you're considering breast reconstruction with breast implants after mastectomy. Includes pre-pectoral implant placement.

Find out more about this surgery to remove fat, breast tissue and skin from the breasts.

Being aware of the look and feel of your breasts may make it more likely that you'll notice any changes that could be signs of breast cancer.

A doctor inserts a small, flexible tube through your mouth or nose into your lungs to look at your air passages and find the cause of a lung problem.

Learn about this surgery that can raise sagging brows and reduce wrinkles on the forehead. Also understand the possible risks of the procedure.

Find out how this surgery can change your appearance. Also learn about the possible risks of the procedure.

This simple blood test measures inflammation in the body. The results help diagnose infection and, sometimes, predict the risk of heart attack.

Learn the reasons this surgical procedure to deliver a baby is done, the risks and tips for recovery.

Learn how doctors use this blood test to measure levels of a tumor marker associated with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and other types of cancer.

Here's what to expect from the canalith repositioning procedure, a series of simple, effective maneuvers to help relieve a certain type of vertigo.

Cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are often combined to cure or control various cancers.

This procedure involves swallowing a tiny capsule with a camera inside to get a view of the inside of the digestive tract. Find out what to expect.

Heat or cold energy applied to the heart can correct rapid or erratic heartbeats. Know when you might need this treatment and the risks.

Find out more about this minimally invasive procedure that can diagnose and treat heart problems, including what's involved in the test and the risks.

Learn more about this personalized program to improve heart health through exercise, education and support.

This heart failure treatment uses a pacemaker or a pacemaker with a defibrillator. Know when the treatment is needed.

Learn what to expect during this treatment to reset the heart rhythm.

This procedure opens a clogged artery to restore blood flow to the brain — and saves you from a stroke.

This procedure removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery to help reduce your risk of stroke.

This test examines the blood flow through the arteries in the neck that deliver blood from the heart to the brain.

Cataract surgery — Overview covers risks, complications, results of this eye surgery.

Learn about your options and what to expect with this skin-resurfacing procedure that removes layers of your skin with a chemical solution.

Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat many types of cancer. Learn why it's done, side effects and what to expect during chemotherapy treatment.

Learn how doctors use this drug treatment to kill rapidly growing breast cancer cells. Find out about chemotherapy side effects and what you can expect.

Learn what these chest images can show and what conditions they may uncover.

Chiropractors apply a controlled, sudden force to individual spinal joints to improve mobility and relieve discomfort.

Does your gallbladder need to come out? Find out what happens during this common surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder.

Measuring the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood can help predict your risk of blocked arteries in your heart and brain.

Learn about the benefits and risks of surgery to remove the skin that covers the tip of the penis.

This electronic device improves hearing in people who have severe hearing loss from inner ear damage.

Becoming aware of inaccurate or negative thinking can help you view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.

If you're having colon surgery, learn what to expect, the risks and how to prepare.

Colonoscopy is one option for colon cancer screening. Find out what to expect during this procedure to examine the inside of your colon.

Find out why colposcopy is done and what to expect during an exam to diagnose cancer and other problems affecting the cervix, vagina and vulva.

This oral contraceptive contains both estrogen and progestin to keep you from ovulating. These medicines prevent pregnancy and can have other benefits.

Learn what to expect from having this common blood test, why it's done and how to prepare.

Learn more about this imaging exam used to diagnose urinary tract disorders.

These screening tools help measure brain function after head trauma and help athletes at risk of head injuries.

Learn about the benefits, risks and effectiveness of this type of long-acting, reversible birth control.

Convalescent plasma therapy uses blood from people who've recovered from an illness, such as COVID-19, to help others recover.

A copper intrauterine device offers a hormone-free option for long-acting, reversible birth control.

This procedure uses donor tissue to restore vision and reduce pain from cornea disease. Our overview helps you understand the risks and benefits of this sight-saving operation.

Learn more about this heart disease test that uses X-ray imaging to see the heart's blood vessels.

Coronary angioplasty and stents can open clogged blood vessels that deliver blood to heart muscles.

This major heart surgery, also called CABG, creates a new route for blood to flow around a blocked artery. Learn why it's done and know the steps to take during recovery.

This heart CT test can show calcium deposits in the blood vessels. Know how the findings relate to your heart disease risk.

These shots can help relieve pain, swelling and irritation. Potential side effects generally limit the number of cortisone shots you can receive in one year.

The goal of this type of surgery is to improve your appearance. It can involve large changes, so it's important to understand what to expect.

Learn how COVID-19 antibody testing is done to find out if you've had a past infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019.

Find out how to test to learn if you're infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Learn the brain conditions that are treated with this surgery that involves removing a piece of the skull. Also find out what you can expect during surgery.

Creatinine test — Overview covers definition, preparation, results of this common blood test.

Find out how very cold temperatures are used to freeze tissue and treat prostate cancer. Learn about the side effects and potential benefits of cryotherapy.

Learn about the risks and results of this imaging test that looks at the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

This imaging test helps detect internal injuries and disease by providing cross-sectional images of bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the body.

During cystoscopy, your doctor examines the inside of your bladder using a special instrument that's inserted into the bladder through the urethra.

CYP450 tests may help find out how your body processes an antidepressant. The tests are based on how genes affect the body's response to medicine.

Find out more about deceased-donor kidney transplant, a treatment for end-stage kidney disease.

Learn how electrical stimulation of the brain can be used to treat conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

A procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts, which are topped with artificial teeth, giving you the look and function of real teeth.

Depo-Provera, a contraceptive injection that's given every three months, contains the hormone progestin to help protect from unintended pregnancy.

Find out how this skin-resurfacing procedure can change the appearance of your skin.

Learn what to expect during this procedure, how a doctor performs it to remove uterine tissue and what to watch out for during recovery.

This imaging test helps determine if an irregular disk in your spine is causing your back pain.

This surgical procedure removes the damaged portion of a herniated disk in the spine. It's most effective for pain radiating down the arms or legs.

In this surgical procedure, a healthy kidney is removed from a living donor for transplant into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly.

Learn about this cosmetic procedure, which is done to rebuild an ear. Understand the risks and learn what to expect after surgery.

Learn about the procedure for placing ear tubes used to treat middle ear problems.

Find out more about this imaging test that uses sound waves to view the heart and heart valves.

Brain cells communicate through electrical impulses, activity an EEG detects. An altered pattern of electrical impulses can help diagnose conditions.

Elbow replacement surgery can be complicated because of the intricate nature of the joint. Learn about Mayo Clinic's approach.

This common test checks the heartbeat. It can help diagnose heart attacks and heart rhythm disorders such as AFib. Know when an ECG is done.

This procedure can greatly and rapidly improve severe symptoms of depression, mania, catatonia or other mental health conditions.

Electromyography (EMG) is a procedure used to diagnose muscle or nerve dysfunction. Learn what to expect from your EMG.

The extractable nuclear antigen panel, known as the ENA test, panel is a blood test. It is done to look for antibodies associated with certain autoimmune diseases.

This surgery that destroys the lining of the uterus treats unusual uterine bleeding. Learn about the risks and what to expect during the procedure.

Endoscopic mucosal resection, a procedure to remove abnormal tissue from the lining of the digestive tract, is used for both diagnosis and treatment.

This weight-loss procedure is done using a flexible tube passed down through the throat — with no cuts on the outside of the body.

Learn about this imaging test that uses both endoscopy and ultrasound. The test helps diagnose diseases related to digestion and the lungs.

An electrophysiology study can show the cause of irregular heart rhythms and guide treatment. Know when it's done and the risks.

Surgery may provide relief from epileptic seizures when medications aren't working.

This test involves placing a thin, pressure-sensitive tube through your nose into your esophagus to measure pressure as you swallow.

This surgery is commonly used to treat cancer in the esophagus. Find out what to expect.

Learn about the risks and results of this procedure, which is used to deliver radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

This procedure helps the heart and lungs work during recovery from a serious illness or injury.

Learn about this complex surgery that uses donor tissue to replace all or part of a person's face.

This cosmetic surgery can give your face a younger shape and look. Understand the risks and benefits of this procedure.

Learn about procedures that can change facial features to better match gender identity.

Find out more about facial injections, also called soft tissue fillers, that can temporarily smooth wrinkles.

Learn how these procedures can allow people with facial paralysis to regain the ability to smile and make other facial expressions.

Learn how healthcare professionals use fecal occult blood tests, such as the fecal immunochemical test, to screen for colon cancer.

Find out more about feminizing hormonal treatment used to better align the body with a person's gender identity.

Find out how feminizing surgical procedures can help better align the body with a person's gender identity.

This test measures a blood protein that contains iron. The test shows whether blood has too much or too little iron.

This procedure is done on an unborn baby (fetus) in the mother's uterus to improve outcomes of children with certain birth defects, such as spina bifida.

Learn about this alternative to colonoscopy to screen for and detect polyps or cancer in the lower part of the colon.

Gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss surgery that reduces your stomach to the size of a walnut. Learn about its risks and benefits.

Learn how voice therapy and surgery can help achieve a communication style to match gender identity.

In this procedure, specialists aim to fix or replace a faulty gene to try to cure a disease or make the body better able to fight a disease.

This sleep-like state during surgery allows you to undergo major medical procedures without feeling pain.

Genetic testing: Learn why it's done, how to prepare and what to expect from diagnostic tests, carrier tests, prenatal tests and newborn screening.

Know how to prepare for this gestational diabetes screening test.

These simple blood tests are performed to screen for diabetes. Your healthcare professional may suggest one or more of these tests depending on your risk factors.

Find out what's involved in this surgery in which someone with an amputation receives one or two hands from a donor.

Replacing a failing heart with a donor heart is an end-stage treatment for heart disease when other treatments for heart problems haven't worked.

Learn more about surgery to treat heart valve disease, which involves repairing or replacing affected heart valves.

Learn about this red blood cell blood test, including why it's used and what to expect.

Learn about hemodialysis and the risks and benefits of this procedure to treat kidney failure.

Learn why this blood test is done, how to prepare for it and what the results might mean.

Find out what to expect during a HIDA scan — a nuclear imaging procedure used to diagnose liver, gallbladder and bile duct problems.

Hip replacement may be an option if your hip pain interferes with daily activities and nonsurgical treatments haven't helped.

This wearable device keeps track of the heart's rhythm during daily activities. Learn when you might need one and what to expect.

Learn how Mayo Clinic specialists help you maintain your feeding tube at home.

Learn about home parenteral nutrition treatment at Mayo Clinic and the situations in which this specialized form of food infused through a vein is used.

This birth control device gives long-acting protection that can be reversed.

Find out how hormone therapy is used to treat breast cancer. Learn about risks and what to expect during this treatment for ER and PR positive breast cancers.

Find out what to expect during testosterone-blocking therapy. Learn about choices, including medicines and surgery.

This test can help show the risk of cervical cancer. Learn more about how to prepare and what the results may mean.

This type of therapy is a well-known treatment for decompression sickness, but it has many surprising uses. Find out about why and how oxygen can heal the body.

Find out about this changed state of awareness and the conditions it may help.

This surgery removes the large intestine. It's often done to treat ulcerative colitis and other bowel conditions.

Learn how imaging tests are used during radiation therapy to deliver treatment precisely, increasing effectiveness and reducing side effects.

This cardiac therapy device delivers shocks to control dangerous heart rhythms. Learn when you might need an ICD and how it's placed in the chest.

Learn how this implanted device records your heartbeat and know when you might need one.

Learn what to expect from this assisted reproductive technology used to treat infertility.

Integrative medicine combines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices with conventional medicine.

An intragastric balloon is a silicone balloon filled with saline. It's inserted into the stomach to create a feeling of fullness and aid in weight loss.

Find out how neurosurgeons use intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) during brain surgery.

Learn more about how this infertility treatment is done and what to expect.

An intravenous pyelogram is an imaging exam that may be used to help diagnose urinary tract disorders. Learn what to expect during the exam.

Jaw surgery corrects irregularities of the jaw bones and realigns the jaws and teeth to improve the way they work and it often improves appearance.

During a kidney biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of kidney tissue to view under a microscope to diagnose kidney problems and guide treatment decisions.

Find out about the different types of kidney transplants — surgeries that are done to treat kidney failure.

Knee replacement surgery can relieve pain and restore function to a knee joint that's severely damaged, usually by arthritis.

Know what to expect during this procedure to start labor before it begins on its own.

Removing the rear part of a vertebra, called the lamina, makes extra space in the spinal canal. This can relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

Laryngotracheal reconstruction surgery — Comprehensive overview covers why it's done and what's involved with the procedure.

A larynx or trachea transplant may help people who have severe damage to their throat. It may result in the ability to breathe through the mouth, swallow better and speak.

Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light to reduce unwanted hair long term.

Explore your options and learn what to expect from this treatment to improve the appearance of your facial skin.

Learn about this common type of laser eye surgery to correct vision problems and what to expect before, during and after surgery.

Learn about this surgery that removes fat and shapes areas of the body. Understand the risks, what to expect and how to prepare.

Examining liver tissue can be a vital step in diagnosing and treating many liver conditions. Find out what to expect from this important procedure.

Liver function tests can help determine how well your liver is doing its job. Find out what to expect and what results are considered standard.

Learn what to expect before and after this important treatment option for patients with liver failure.

Find out more about living-donor kidney transplant, an option instead of deceased-donor kidney transplant.

Learn about this surgery that uses a portion of a liver from a healthy living donor to replace another person's liver that's not working properly.

This surgery uses a living donor's organ, such as a kidney or portion of a liver, to replace another person's organ that no longer works properly.

Learn about lumbar puncture, which removes a sample of cerebrospinal fluid to find infections, bleeding and other conditions. It also is called a spinal tap.

Learn what to expect from this breast-conserving surgical procedure.

Doctors recommend lung CT scans to look for signs of lung cancer in current and former heavy smokers. Find out what to expect during lung cancer screening.

Learn what's involved in this major surgery that replaces a diseased or failing lung with a healthy lung, and what you can expect after the procedure.

Lung volume reduction surgery helps some people with severe emphysema breathe easier. Diseased lung tissue is removed so the remaining tissue works better.

This newer, noninvasive imaging test is used to find out how serious certain liver diseases are.

Learn what to expect during a breast X-ray exam. Find out about the benefits of mammograms for breast cancer screening, as well as potential risks.

Find out more about masculinizing hormonal treatment used to better align the body with a person's gender identity.

Find out how masculinizing surgical procedures can help better align the body with a person's gender identity.

Learn about this operation to remove the breast tissue from one or both breasts. Find out about risks, results and what you can expect.

Find out who may benefit from this treatment to correct a rapid and chaotic heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.

Learn what to expect when medicine is used to end a pregnancy, including side effects, risks and possible complications.

Find out more about this mind-body practice and its possible health benefits.

Learn more about this surgery that uses small incisions in the chest as an option to open-heart surgery.

Learn more about laparoscopy or robotic surgical techniques, which may mean less pain and a shorter hospital stay.

This oral contraceptive, sometimes called the minipill, contains only the hormone progestin and no estrogen.

If you have a leaky or stiff mitral valve, you may need heart surgery. Learn about the different procedures used to repair or replace this valve.

Find out what to expect during this skin cancer surgery that involves removing thin layers of skin until only cancer-free tissue remains.

Learn about this breast cancer screening test that's sometimes used in addition to mammograms, especially for those with dense breast tissue.

This type of emergency birth control can help prevent a pregnancy after sex if protection wasn't used or didn't work.

Learn more about how to prepare for this painless diagnostic test that creates detailed pictures of the inside of the body without using radiation.

This surgical procedure to treat uterine fibroids tries to preserve fertility using a variety of approaches.

Find out how this cosmetic procedure removes excess skin and fat around the jaw line to create a more youthful appearance.

Common needle biopsy procedures include fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy.

Learn about bladder reconstruction to restore urinary function after bladder removal surgery, including how it's done and possible complications.

Learn about surgery to remove all or part of a kidney.

Nondirected living donor — Find out what becoming a good Samaritan, also called nondirected, living organ donor means to transplantation.

This type of stress test uses a tiny bit of radioactive material to look for changes in blood flow to the heart. Know why it's done and how to prepare.

Learn about the risks, recovery and what to expect during surgery to remove the ovaries.

Learn about the benefits and limitations of tests to detect mouth cancer.

Learn about this surgery that can change the appearance of the ears. Understand risks and what results to expect afterward.

This cardiac pacing device is placed in the chest to help control the heartbeat. Know when you might need one.

Learn what to expect with this care approach that offers symptom relief for seriously ill people of any age.

Pancreas transplant offers a potential cure for people with serious complications from diabetes. Learn what to expect before and after this procedure.

A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is used for cervical cancer screening. Learn how it's done and what the results might mean.

Learn how this test may affect how Parkinson's disease is diagnosed in the future.

This surgery can treat injuries and conditions that are present at birth and that affect the neck area of the spine.

Find out what happens during this exam, why it might be needed and how to prepare.

Explore your choices and learn what to expect from penile implant surgery.

Find out how this device can be placed on your penis to create an erection.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a procedure for removing large kidney stones. Learn how it's done.

Find out what to expect during and after PICC line insertion. Learn about why it's done and potential PICC line complications.

Learn how this treatment for kidney failure compares to traditional dialysis.

Your health care provider may order this test if a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea is suspected. Learn how to prepare and what to expect.

Learn how this imaging scan can play an important role in early detection of health problems, such as cancer, heart disease and brain disorders.

Learn how genetic testing can help customize your cancer treatment plan. Precision medicine is improving breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Find out more about preemptive kidney transplant – an alternative to dialysis for treatment of end-stage kidney disease – and what to expect.

Find out about this procedure that's used to diagnose prostate cancer. Learn about the risks, how to prepare and what you can expect.

Learn about this type of radiation therapy for prostate cancer that involves placing radioactive seeds or wires in the prostate gland.

Prostate laser surgery — Overview covers the risks and results of this treatment to relieve symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.

Learn about surgery to remove part or all of the prostate, including advances such as robotic surgery. Understand the risks of different surgery methods too.

This simple test measures how quickly your blood clots. Find out why it's done and what to expect.

Learn about this newer form of radiation therapy, used to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors, and how it's different from X-ray radiation.

Learn about this prostate cancer screening test, including why it's done, what to expect, risks and results.

Also called talk therapy, this is an approach for treating mental health issues by talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist or another mental health provider.

A congenital heart defect can cause a leaky or blocked pulmonary valve. Know the symptoms and how it's treated.

This type of cardiac ablation uses heat or cold energy to treat atrial fibrillation. Learn how it's done and when you might need this treatment.

Radiation therapy is a common means of treating many types of cancer. Find out what to expect during your radiation therapy treatment.

Find out why doctors use radiation treat breast cancer. Learn what to expect and the side effects of breast cancer radiation, including proton therapy.

Painful neck, back, knee, shoulder or hip? Radiofrequency neurotomy may quiet nerves that cause pain. Learn about this targeted treatment.

This surgery is done to repair a condition in which the lining of the rectum slips out of the anus. Learn about surgical options, risks and results.

What's an Rh factor blood test? Understand this important test that's done during pregnancy.

Rheumatoid factor — This blood test can help diagnose autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome and lupus.

Learn about the benefits, risks and what to expect during nose surgery.

Want to know the best time of month to conceive or avoid pregnancy? The rhythm method is a natural form of family planning that can help. Learn the steps.

Robotic hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the uterus.

Learn about this minimally invasive procedure to remove uterine fibroids that may reduce pain, blood loss and recovery time.

Robotic systems can help surgeons increase precision, flexibility and control for many procedures. Learn about the advantages and availability of robot-assisted surgery.

Learn what's involved in this treatment for varicose veins, including the risks and what to expect.

Sed rate is a blood test that can reveal inflammatory activity in your body. It's often used to help diagnose conditions affecting your joints or muscles.

Learn what to expect during this procedure to remove lymph nodes for testing. The results can show whether cancer has spread.

Learn how this nose surgery can straighten the wall of bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils. The surgery opens the nasal passages, making breathing easier.

This procedure replaces damaged areas of the shoulder joint with implants made of metal and plastic. It can sometimes be done as same-day surgery.

Learn when this test is helpful in diagnosing or treating skin conditions and what to expect during the procedure.

Learn about a weight-loss surgery technique that involves removing part of the stomach to make it smaller.

SPECT scans use radioactive tracers and special cameras to create images of your internal organs. Find out what to expect during your SPECT.

This procedure connects two or more bones in the spine. The bones then can't move, which helps ease neck or back pain.

This common test shows how well your lungs work and helps diagnose conditions that affect the ability to breathe.

The spleen helps you fight infection, but you can live without it if you have to. Learn about the risks and results of this surgery to remove the spleen.

This type of radiotherapy uses highly targeted radiation beams to treat tumors in all parts of the body.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) uses radiation beams to treat tumors in all parts of the body. Learn what to expect before, during and after this incision-free procedure.

Learn about this noninvasive colon cancer screening test that can detect DNA changes in cells collected from a stool sample.

This test gives important information about your heart health. Know how to prepare and what to expect.

Discover how cold or heat energy is used to correct fast and erratic heartbeats, such as atrial tachycardia and AV node reentrant tachycardia.

Find out about tattoo removal options, including laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion.

Telestroke or stroke telemedicine uses technology to provide expert stroke care in smaller communities.

Examining your testicles regularly can help you notice changes when they occur and identify testicular problems.

Learn what to expect during this surgery — a procedure that involves removing all or part of your thyroid gland.

This test may help find the cause of fainting. Learn how it's done.

Learn how to prepare for surgery and what to expect.

A surgically created hole in the front of the neck provides an air passage to help breathing when the usual route for breathing is blocked or reduced.

This minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve is an option to open-heart valve surgery. Learn about the benefits and risks of TAVR.

This procedure uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain involved in mood control. It's sometimes used for depression and other conditions.

Learn about this procedure for treating an enlarged prostate, including how it's done and possible risks and benefits.

Learn about this minimally invasive procedure for treating an enlarged prostate, including how it's done and possible risks and benefits.

Learn about this procedure used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate gland.

These heart surgeries treat tricuspid valve regurgitation and stenosis and Ebstein anomaly, a type of congenital heart defect. Learn how they're done.

Thinking of getting your tubes tied? This surgery offers a permanent form of birth control. Know the risks and what to expect.

Find out how this procedure can change the appearance of your abdomen, giving you a more toned silhouette.

This imaging method uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. Learn how it works and how it’s used.

In this simple procedure, a tiny camera is used to visually examine your upper digestive system. Find out what to expect.

This common lab test checks urine for signs of disease and for clues about overall health.

Vaginal hysterectomy is a procedure to remove the uterus through an incision in the vagina to treat certain gynecological conditions.

Learn more about this procedure that may be used to treat epilepsy and other neurological conditions when other treatments haven't worked.

Find out more about this cardiac catheter procedure to repair a narrowed heart valve.

Find out more about this procedure that provides nearly 100 percent effective male birth control by cutting the supply of sperm to semen.

Learn about this microsurgery procedure that can restore your fertility after a vasectomy.

Learn how this implanted device helps the heart pump and when you might need one.

Learn how heart doctors apply heat or cold energy from inside or outside the heart to treat very fast and erratic heartbeats.

This minimally invasive surgical procedure is used to diagnose and treat problems in the chest, such as with the lungs, esophagus, thymus gland and heart.

Unlike other colon cancer screening tests, this imaging test doesn't use a scope to examine your colon. Learn how it works and what to expect.

Learn about this complex operation that's used to treat pancreatic cancer and other digestive system conditions. Find out what to expect during recovery.

If you don't have enough room in your mouth for wisdom teeth, or they're painful, infected or cause other dental problems, they may need to be removed.

The withdrawal method — pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation — isn't the most effective birth control. Learn about the pros and cons.

This quick and simple imaging test can spot problems in areas such as the bones, teeth and chest. Learn more about this diagnostic test.