Oncology

Your personalized, comprehensive care plan may include:

• Breast and gynecologic cancer care
• Cancer Surgery
• Hospice and palliative care services to relieve symptoms and side effects
• Infusion therapy for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other infusion services
• Nurse navigation
• Nutrition services
• Psychosocial oncology and distress assessment
• Radiation therapy

Breast and gynecologic cancer care

Our breast health experts screen, diagnose and treat a variety of breast cancers in both men and women.

Additionally, our Women's Imaging Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

Our gynecologic oncologists are committed to using advanced, effective surgical techniques. Often, gynecologic cancer can be treated with minimally invasive robotic surgery. This type of surgery requires smaller incisions than traditional surgical procedures, resulting in less scarring and a quicker recovery.

Cancer surgery

Surgery remains a key component of cancer care, as it can be necessary to keep cancer from occurring. We provide numerous tumor removal procedures to act as a more aggressive form of treatment when it is required.

Other surgeries, such as reconstructing damaged tissue or inserting chemotherapy ports, may be recommended for the purposes of diagnosing cancer, easing pain, relieving side effects or supporting other procedures.

We offer a wide range of surgical procedures for cancer treatment and diagnosis, including:

• Blue light cystoscopy for bladder cancer
• Endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasounds for tissue biopsies
• High-heat radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), sometimes described as "knifeless surgery"
• Minimally invasive endoscopic/laparoscopic surgical staging and resection
• Sentinel node biopsy to determine the extent of cancer in adjacent lymph nodes

Hospice and palliative care

Palliative care aims to relieve the discomfort, symptoms and stress of serious illness and to improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers. Hospice care, on the other hand, is a type of specialized care that focuses on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families.

We do not directly provide hospice or palliative care, but our team can connect you with local resources and help you navigate the services you need.

Infusion therapy

We offer both inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other infusion therapy services. Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to treat cancer by destroying cancer cells or stopping them from growing.

Although some treatments, like chemotherapy, do have oral variations, infusion therapy delivers medications through a needle or catheter, usually intravenously (IV).

Immunotherapy uses your own immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. The goal of immunotherapy is to allow your body to do the important work of fighting cancer using its own resources, but with the added boost from medication.

Nutrition services

Nutrition plays a critical role in your care both during and after cancer treatment. Our team of registered dietitians is here to provide guidance on your diet, weight, treatment side effects, and the use of nutritional supplements.

Nurse navigation

Our skilled cancer team includes oncology nurse navigators who help coordinate your cancer care. Our nurse navigators act as your liaison with our oncology specialists, provide education and support and guide you through your cancer journey — from diagnosis to survivorship.

Psychosocial distress assessment

 

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to minimize or kill cancer cells. Types of radiation therapy we offer include external beam radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy and brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy). We also offer hyperarc stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and intensity modulated radiation therapy as other highly targeted treatment options.

Our team understands that preventive medicine is the best medicine when it comes to cancer care. Early detection is key for proper treatment, which is why we use advanced diagnostic and imaging technology to form the most accurate, effective treatment plan possible. We offer a wide range of cancer screenings, including:

• Breast cancer screenings
  • Mammography
  • Ultrasound
• Gynecologic cancer screenings
  • Pelvic exam
  • Pap smear
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing
• Colorectal cancer screening
  • Colonoscopy
• Lung cancer screening
  • Low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan
• Prostate cancer screenings
  • Digital rectal exam
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing
• Skin cancer screening
  • Biopsies
  • Visual screening

We encourage you to participate in our cancer education and prevention services as well as our cancer support opportunities. We partner with local neighborhoods and participate in various community events, including health fairs and other educational events within the community. We also have a variety of cancer support groups to help navigate the challenges and emotions during cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Educational speakers

Our medical professionals are speakers and presenters whose goals are to provide cancer education for prevention. Their top priority is helping educate your community group, support group, company, business or professional organization.

To request a speaker, call Reston Hospital Center's physician relations team at (703) 689-9566.

Cancer support groups

We understand that cancer care goes beyond treatment. We are proud to offer cancer support services to help you on your journey to recovery. This includes support groups, cancer counseling, educational programs, spiritual guidance and community outreach.

One of our cancer support groups is provided by Step Sisters support services. This program supports patients who face challenges with transportation, childcare and other factors that may hinder treatment.