May 2013
TheraSphere®
Selective Internal Radiation Therapy For Liver Cancer
Several dedicated professional teams worked closely together to bring the innovative TheraSphere® liver cancer treatment to the Sentara Cancer Network at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. TheraSphere®, or selective internal radiation therapy, is good news for people with primary liver cancers that are not able to be surgically removed.
TheraSphere® treatment consists of millions of tiny glass beads, one third of the width of a human hair. The TheraSphere® glass beads contain radioactive yttrium-90 and are delivered directly to the liver tumor where they are most effective. TheraSphere® treatment is typically an outpatient procedure that does not require hospitalization. It is well tolerated by patients, with side-effects that are normally milder than with many other liver cancer treatments. Because the procedure is directed to the liver tumor, there is minimal impact to non-targeted tissue. After treatment, most TheraSphere® patients are eligible for further therapeutic options because the procedure does not block the vessels of the liver.
Benefits of TheraSphere®:
- Outpatient procedure
- Side effects can be milder than other liver cancer treatments
- Targeted treatment offers minimal impact on surrounding tissue
- Does not block vessels to the liver, leaving the option for further therapeutic treatments if needed
To find out if you are a candidate for this treatment, call 888-220-2214.
April 2013
Hands Down: Biometric Technology Improves Security Of Patient Identification
Sentara is the first to introduce a fast, accurate method of patient identification throughout Hampton Roads that uses harmless, near-infrared light to scan veins in your palm that uniquely identify you and connect you to your medical record.
The next time you step up to register for care at a Sentara facility, you might first be asked to scan your palm instead of your identification card. Providing safe care starts wth accurate identification. The innovatively designed Sentara Patient Idenfication System does just that - accurately identifies you.
By simply placeing your palm over the scanner, the infrared light waves recreate your palm vein pattern that is unique to you - even if you're an identical twin! This encrypted digital file is then electronically linked to your patient identification. So the next time you need care, identifying who you are can be as simple as scanning your palm.
Palm scans are secure to Sentara, and are only used to identify patients during the registration process, and not shared. Although it does add extra security and safety, patients are not required to be palm scanned to receive care and may choose to use traditional methods of identification.
January 2013
A Less Invasive Technique for Removing the Thymus
What is a Thymus?
A specialized organ that regulates the immune system.
Located in front of the heart.
Largest size and most active in young children.
During the teen years, it shrinks up with minimal function in adults.
Thoracic and cardiothoracic surgeons at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital are the first in our area to be offering a less invasive technique for removing the thymus. It’s reducing the patient’s hospital stay and post-surgery pain.
The thymus has a very specialized job: make immune cells then, well, basically self-destruct. As crazy as that sounds, that’s exactly what happens with this immune system organ. From birth through early puberty, the thymus generates immune cells (“T-cells”) that attack different foreign substances in the body. Normally by adolescence, the raging hormones actually begin to shrink this organ, turning it into fatty tissue. But when cancerous tumors develop or symptoms of an auto-immune disorder Myasthenia Gravis develop, the thymus has to be surgically removed (thymectomy).
The traditional (trans-sternal) surgical approach of surgically removing the thymus begins with a long, vertical surgical incision through the breastbone that opens up the chest. This is the same approach used for some open-heart surgeries.
Medical Breakthrough Archives:
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
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