Newport News, Va. — Riverside Health System recently published its 2019 Cancer Care Annual Report, “One Team. One Goal. One You,” which includes regional cancer statistics along with updates on the advances and innovations implemented to benefit patients receiving treatment throughout Southeastern Virginia.
“The title of the report reflects the approach we take with each of our patients on their journey with cancer,” said Biral S. Amin, M.D., Oncology Service Line Chief, Riverside Health System. “We are ultimately one team with one goal — because there’s one you.”
Notable achievements and highlights revealed in the report include the following:
- A total of 2,569 patients were diagnosed or received initial care at a Riverside facility;
- Breast cancer continued to represent the highest number of primary site diagnoses, with 533 new cases reported in 2019;
- Cancers of the digestive system ranked second (414), with cancers of the respiratory system third (371).
Additional milestones highlighted in the report included the following:
- Riverside’s strides to develop a more united infrastructure culminated in accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as an Integrated Cancer Network.
- Riverside launched multiple significant clinical trials, including a phase I trial to investigate a new type of immunotherapy directed at restoring the immune system’s ability to eliminate malignant tumors. Among the others: a phase III trial for patients with bile duct cancer that uses a novel targeted approach. Riverside Cancer Network is the only program providing access to this trial in the Mid-Atlantic. In addition, Riverside is leading education and participation in three prostate cancer studies focused on African-American men, who have a disproportionate risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer.
Other innovations and strides reported included the following:
- Surgical Oncologist Jane Wey, M.D., led the development of Riverside’s first heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery, performed at Riverside Regional Medical Center in May 2019. HIPEC is a process whereby heated chemotherapy is pumped directly into the abdomen after surgery while the patient is still in the operating room to kill the remaining cancer cells.
- Riverside urologists began offering SpaceOAR Hydrogel, which minimizes rectal complications due to radiation from prostate cancer. By using the gel, physicians can complement a patient’s radiation treatment to better target their cancer while preserving healthy tissue.
- Riverside implemented the Chabner Bra, developed to give patients with pendulous breasts minimized radiation to healthy tissue and organs. The bra ensures that the breasts remain stable and well positioned during treatment so that healthy tissue and organs can be avoided.
- Riverside became the first in Virginia to utilize infrared fluorescent imaging for kidney cancer, which enhances tumor visualization in challenging surgical situations.
- Riverside piloted the use of virtual reality goggles during treatment. This supportive technology helps patients destress and escape to a digital world of their choosing during treatment.
Riverside’s community cancer screenings — offered at no cost to those in need — continued to reinforce its commitment to regional wellness. In 2019, Riverside screened 1,700 in the community for lung cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer.
“Our Cancer Care team is committed to supporting communities throughout this region with education and screening resources to prevent, detect and treat cancer,” Amin said.
The focuses for 2019 were prevention of skin cancer cervical cancer, colorectal cancer and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) awareness. Virginia Cancer Registry data identified these cancers as having higher incidence rates in the community.
A tobacco and vaping cessation presentation given to 397 students on the Eastern Shore showed 87 students reported using some form of vape, cigarettes or chewing tobacco. After the presentation, 95% of the students reported it influenced them not to use.
To read the full 2019 Cancer Care Annual Report, please visit riversideonline.com/cancer.
Published: October 8, 2020