"You can’t fight what you don’t know." – Art Still

After 12 hard-hitting seasons in the NFL, Art Still, former Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills defensive end, accepted the physical wear and tear that came with the game—carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, even a torn biceps. But when he experienced atrial fibrillation, he knew it was different. It was his body sending a stronger signal—and it ultimately led to a life-changing diagnosis. Art shares his story with the @CancerInterviews podcast.

Through the NFL Players Association, Art underwent a comprehensive physical and mental evaluation in New Orleans. His doctor, taking into account Art’s family history of heart failure and replacement surgeries, recommended a genetic test. The results were sobering: Art carried the V122I variant associated with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), a rare but serious condition often underdiagnosed in African-American men, affecting approximately 1 in 25.

Though amyloidosis isn’t technically cancer, if left undetected and untreated, it can lead to organ failure and has been linked to multiple forms of blood cancer, particularly due to protein buildup in vital systems. In Art’s case, the risk extended to the heart, kidneys, and even neurological systems, including symptoms of nephropathy and spinal stenosis.

What is Amyloidosis?
Amyloidosis is a progressive condition caused by abnormal deposits of a protein called amyloid in tissues and organs. Over time, these deposits can impair vital function—particularly in the heart, nervous system, and kidneys. It often mimics common age-related diseases, leading to late or missed diagnoses.

Why Genetic Testing Matters
Art’s diagnosis highlights the importance of early genetic testing. Although the V122I genetic variant cannot be removed, ongoing treatment—including periodic shots, prescribed medication, and lifestyle modifications—can slow its progression and prevent complications, such as cardiac amyloidosis, stroke, and blood cancer.

Art’s Wellness Regimen

Now on a structured regimen, Art focuses on:

Consistent medication and monitoring

A disciplined routine of diet, exercise, and sleep

Staying informed and proactive in his care

By taking these steps, Art has remained active, alert, and determined—not just for his own health but for others who might unknowingly carry the same genetic risk.

Raising Awareness & Taking Action

Art has since launched Amyloidosis Army, a nonprofit dedicated to education, support, and early diagnosis of amyloidosis and related conditions. His mission: to arm patients, families, and providers with the tools to fight back before symptoms become life-threatening.

Whether you’re dealing with:

Unexplained fatigue, swelling, or arrhythmia

Family history of heart failure or sudden cardiac death

Neurological symptoms like carpal tunnel or trigger finger

Diagnoses like stenosis or nephropathy with no clear cause...

You owe it to yourself and your family to consider genetic screening and speak with a specialist about amyloidosis. It may save your life—or someone you love.

Key Takeaways:

Amyloidosis is manageable if caught early.

Genetic testing can reveal silent risks—especially in high-risk populations.

Treatments won’t cure the condition but can keep it from progressing into blood cancer or organ failure.

Awareness saves lives.

Learn more & take action today:
Visit Art Still’s official site: AmyloidosisArmy.org

Subscribe, Like, and Share this video to help spread the word about this silent disease and help more people stay in the game of life.

#amyloidosis #artstill #genetictesting #bloodcancer #atrialfibrillation #nflhealth #carpaltunnel #triggerfinger #stenosis #nephropathy

AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF PERIPHERAL LUNG NODULE - NODULAR PULMONARY AMYLOIDOSIS

Cone Beam CT guided Biopsy

70-year-old female patient, known case of hypertension and well controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with complaints of cough since 2 months. She had unintentional weight loss of 4kgs over the last year. Her symptoms did not improve with symptomatic treatment and inhalers.

HRCT chest performed for further evaluation revealed a 2.1 x 2 cm nodule in right upper lobe, and smaller nodules in the right lower lobe.

Under general anesthesia and lung navigation ventilation protocol ‘Cone Beam Computed Tomography’ was performed. The lesion was identified in the right upper lobe posterior segment and marked. Radial EBUS was performed, but no lesion was identified.

Using 3 dimensional augmented fluoroscopy a 1.1mm mini cryoprobe was placed abutting the lesion. A repeat CBCT spin showed the cryo probe to be in contact with the lesion. Multiple Cryobiopsies were then performed under augmented fluoroscopy and sent for analysis.

Histopathological examination revealed pale, hyalinized, eosinophilic material surrounded by multinucleated giant cells and lymphoplasmacytic cells. This material was found to be congo red positive with apple green birefringence on polarizer.

Final diagnosis: ‘Pulmonary Nodular Amyloidosis’

TAKE HOME MESSAGES

1. CBCT can help confirming tool adjacent to lesion even in instances where radial EBUS doesn't show an image (index case)

2. Primary pulmonary amyloidosis presenting as lung nodules is uncommon and needs to be considered as an uncommon differential of lung nodule

#PulmonaryAmyloidosis #LungNodule #CBCT #Cryobiopsy #RadialEBUS #Histopathology #RareDiseases #MedicalImaging #LungHealth #drvnagarjunamaturu #pulmonologist #YashodaHospitals #hitechcity

Dr. Heather Landau is an oncologist and hematologist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, bone marrow transplant specialist, and director of their Amyloid Program. In this video Dr. Landau reviews the history and goal of treatment for AL amyloidosis. Next she delves into detail and experiences of using high dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant to treat light chain (AL) amyloidosis. In conclusion, she will discuss how the treatment landscape has changed based on recent advances.

Medical topics are sometimes difficult to understand. Welcome to sqadia.com we are here to guide you through the sea. Today, our discussion will revolve around Amyloidosis.

▬ 📌 Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis can be referred to as a disease characterized by tissue damage due to extracellular protein deposits or amyloids that interfere with normal functioning.

👉 Morphology of Amyloidosis
Protein deposits or amyloids can have two stable shapes:
🟡 Native form
🟡 Beta sheets (which then clump together to form amyloid fibrils).

We will discuss all these reasons ahead so stick around.

▬ 📌 Pathogenesis of Amyloidosis
If we talk about Amyloidosis pathophysiology, Misfolded proteins are cleaved by proteases which sometimes cannot handle the protein burden and misfolded proteins pile up or in some cases, proteins opt such a morphology that is resistant to breakage.

▬ 📌 Types of Amyloidosis
Let’s hover over the types and their mechanisms. Types include:
🔵 AL or primary amyloidosis
🔵 AA or secondary amyloidosis
🔵 Systemic amyloidosis
🔵 Localized amyloidosis

Watch the video for more details.

▬ 📌 Signs and Symptoms of Amyloidosis
Let’s explore about the signs and symptoms which encompass:
⚫️ Kidney (Swelling in face, ankle, and legs)
⚫️ Intestine (Malabsorption and weight loss)
⚫️ Heart (Palpitations)
⚫️ Brain (Memory loss)

▬ 📌 Diagnosis of Amyloidosis
Let us have a glance over the diagnosis of Amyloidosis. Diagnostic tools are:
🟢 Congo Red Stain
🟢 Polarized Light
🟢 Biopsy

▬ 📌 Treatment of Amyloidosis
Treatment of Amyloidosis involves,
🔴 Chemotherapy
🔴 Cardiac Care
🔴 Organ Transplantation

So that was all about an overview of our video on Amyloidosis pathogenesis!

▬ 🎬 5500+ sqadia.com Medical Videos ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
👩🏻‍⚕️ Accessible Medical Student Education 24/7/365
💡 Simplifying Medical Learning
💪 Study Hard, Dream Big, Achieve More

APICON 2024 HIGHLIGHTS 4 cardiac amyloidosis