Like a Walk in the Park
The Center for Interventional Oncology Uses
Advanced Techniques in Battle Against Cancer

The field of interventional oncology is advancing at a rapid pace. This medical specialty treats cancer patients with technologies that are a combination of minimally invasive techniques, interventional radiology and advanced imaging that allows physicians to clearly see inside the body without even picking up a scalpel.

But back in 2007, Virginia Taylor didn't know she'd eventually benefit from all that. "I went for a regular colonoscopy in May of 2007, and when I came around, they told me I had colon cancer," recalls Taylor. "I wasn't sure what to do next, but they referred me to an oncologist and a surgeon for the next stage of treatment."

First, Taylor underwent a month of radiation to shrink the tumor. She then had the section of her colon that contained the tumor surgically removed. After that, she endured a round of chemotherapy. "Everything went fine, although the chemo wasn't pleasant," says Taylor. "But unfortunately, several months later, my doctors found a tumor on my liver that originated from the colon cancer." Again, Taylor underwent surgery to remove the tumor.

When, in 2009, another liver tumor appeared, her doctors at Inova Fairfax Hospital took a different approach: They sent her to the Inova Center for Interventional Oncology. And that's where innovations in cancer care came into play.

The Next Generation of Cancer Care

Taylor was referred to the care of Calvin Neithamer, MD, a vascular and interventional radiologist at Inova Fairfax Hospital. "The reason that we didn't surgically remove the second lesion was because she already had a portion of her liver removed," explains Dr. Neithamer. "Furthermore, the new tumor was near the site of the original operation, complicating any additional surgery. Fortunately, the newer tumor was easier to reach through a minimally invasive procedure, in this case radiofrequency (RF) ablation."

In this procedure, Dr. Neithamer guided two needles into the tumor itself. He then activated an electric current in the needles, generating intense heat, which destroyed the tumor, but which did not damage the surrounding healthy tissue. "Although patients are only mildly sedated, they report little or no pain, and most patients go home after an overnight stay," says Dr. Neithamer.

A Full Life

Taylor now returns to the Center for Interventional Oncology every six months for various scans to detect any new tumors that might arise during their early stages. In the meantime, she is living a full life that includes working part-time at a friend's day spa, volunteering at her church, and taking care of her family and her dog.

"Since the RF treatment, Mrs. Taylor has had no more recurrences in these areas," Dr. Neithamer says. "We still can't say with 100 percent certainty she is 'cancer-free,' so we follow her carefully with periodic liver scans."

"Virginia is remarkable," he adds. "You would never know that she had any problems ever; she looks fantastic. She is living her life fully, without having another major operation, which would have been that much more difficult considering what she had already been through."

"The last procedure [the RF ablation] was certainly the easiest of all the treatments I've had," Taylor offers. "It was nothing like the surgeries I had, where they had to cut me open. Now I'm doing wonderfully well. I think the secret is staying involved in things and keeping a good attitude."