As the region’s leading cancer resource, Sentara is at the forefront of cancer treatment, providing services comparable to the nation’s most highly regarded hospitals and medical centers. We provide dedicated inpatient oncology units, and a multi-disciplinary team of experts working together to design the best treatment for each patient.
The Sentara Cancer Network also participates in several national
cancer clinical trials and offers
genetic testing for colon and breast cancers.
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daVinci® Robotic Surgery |
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The da Vinci surgical robot has revolutionized prostatectomy surgery by making it a more precise, minimally invasive procedure with excellent results. Learn more.
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Some of our advanced services and treatments include:
Laparoscopic ultrasound Diagnostic tool used in combination with other minimally invasive surgeries to assist
surgeons in intraoperatively identifying cancers that may go undetected by other
diagnostic methods.
Learn more.Endobronchial Ultrasound (Ebus) for lung cancer A new, minimally invasive endobronchial ultrasound procedure available at
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, allowing
doctors to diagnose patients with lung
cancers before any surgery begins. The technological breakthrough is helping patients
with lung and lymph node tumors to be more accurately diagnosed so treatment can
begin sooner. Learn more.Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging A new breast imaging technique that can aid in diagnosis when a mammogram is
inconclusive, and reveal important information that can help your doctor more
accurately determine if an area of concern is cancerous or not.
Learn more.Sakura Xpress Continuous Rapid Tissue Processor This state-of-the-art diagnostic technology produces the fastest return times for biopsy
results anywhere in Hampton Roads.
Learn more.Intraoperative Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation It is a complete system to deliver intra-operative or post-operative radiation therapy directly into tumors or tumor cavities. Sentara is
participating in a national clinical trial.
Brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy)/ Radioactive Seed Implant Therapy Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy where a radioactive source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) An advanced form of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy that can create a precise radiation dose to the shape and depth of
the tumor. IMRT also reduces adverse effects and damage to healthy tissues, leading to a better quality of life.
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping With this procedure, the first lymph node that receives drainage from the affected breast can be removed and examined for cancer.
Correctly identifying the draining nodes can significantly increase the accuracy of which nodes to surgically remove and evaluate
for spread of cancer. It also helps prevent unnessesary removal of nodes that may not be in the lymphatic drainage field of the
tumor. Reducing the number of nodes can reduce the chances of developing lymphadema.
Mammosite® Therapy Therapy that facilitates partial breast radiation, allowing for the possibility of a shorter, more focused radiation treatment.
Selective Internal Radiation (SIR) Spheres Therapy
Imagine millions of microscopic radio-active resin beads (spheres) traveling through the bloodstream with one mission: to target
and destroy liver cancer cells. That’s exactly what SIR-Spheres® Therapy is doing for patients with primary liver cancer and
inoperable secondary liver cancer (spread from colorectal and other primary cancers). Learn more.
daVinci® Robotic Surgery The da Vinci surgical robot has revolutionized prostatectomy surgery by making it a more precise, minimally invasive procedure
with excellent results. Learn more.
Laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery
Minimally-invasive, safe and effective surgery for colorectal cancer or other colorectal disorders. Learn more.
TransOral Robotic Surgery
TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) uses the precision instruments and fiber-optic camera of the daVinci™ robotic surgery system
to access tumors through small incisions in the back of the mouth. Dan Karakla, M.D., otolaryngologist and cancer surgeon with
Eastern Virginia Medical School, is the first surgeon in Hampton Roads to perform TORS using the daVinci robot at Sentara
Norfolk General Hospital. Prospective studies on TORS patients indicate quicker recovery of swallowing and speech abilities after
surgery and shorter hospital stays.
Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy
At Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, thoracic surgeons Bethany Tan, M.D. and G. Wilkins Hubbard, M.D. of Norfolk Surgical Group,
a practice of Sentara Medical Group, have begun performing minimally invasive esophagectomy procedures for both malignant
and benign disease.This procedure allows for extensive resection of esophageal tumors through small incisions in the neck,
chest and abdomen in appropriate candidates. The surgical team uses a combination of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic
approaches. This allows the procedure to be done with live video imaging. The esophagus is removed and replaced by the
stomach, which is relocated to the neck and chest to allow patients to eat normally. The procedure is technically challenging and
requires a committed specialty team of surgeons and nurses. Patients benefit from less blood loss, less time in intensive care
after surgery and a quicker return home.