Cancer Care Services
Comprehensive services are far advanced, not far away
When the diagnosis is cancer, there's comfort in knowing that you don't have to travel miles from home for treatment.
Cancer Care at Reston Hospital Center, accredited by the American College of Surgeons, is committed to providing the very best prevention, screening, education and care for cancer patients and their families. The program offers the full continuum of services including education, diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and support.
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the battle begins. Beyond the physical fight, the patient and family often embark on an emotional, all-consuming journey. It is vital that caregivers help guide them through the complex healthcare maze to ensure that the patient receives the proper treatment.
Reston Hospital Center offers all the elements of a comprehensive cancer program right on campus, providing convenience, continuity and what may be the most important element - genuine care.
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Cyndee Hochstrasser, RN, director of Health and Wellness, oversees Reston Hosptial Center's community outreach programs.
The Health and Wellness program at Reston Hospital Center provides a wealth of community education through screenings, health fairs and seminars.
Regular screenings have helped identify some potentially serious problems including cancers of the prostate and skin.
"It's satisfing to know that our efforts have helped people seek medical care earlier rather than waiting until the problem becomes more complex," notes Director of Health and Wellness Cyndee Hochstrasser, RN.
Find out more about Reston Hospital's Community Education programs here.
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Reston Hospital Center has enhanced the capabilities of radiology services with next-generation technology in modern, comfortable quarters.
Imaging services at the hospital include state-of-the-art CT (Computed Tomography) scanners, four ultrasound rooms, three nuclear medicine cameras, a two-room interventional radiology suite, as well as X-ray and fluoroscopy.
"The CT scanners at the hospital and the Medical Imaging Center of Reston are among the most advanced systems available," says Debbie Simmons, RT (R)(M), director of the Radiology Department. The systems provide shorter imaging times and lower dose CT imaging for patients, while providing radiologists with superior detectability, higher performance and greater accuracy.
PET scans, a new capability to evaluate the metabolic activity of tumors, brain and heart are now offered by PET of Reston on the hospital campus. Cancers use more sugar for energy since they are growing. As a result, cancer demonstrates increased activity after Fluorine-labeled glucose is administered to a patient.
This new technology fuses the CT scan and PET images providing critical information to differentiate benign and malignant masses, evaluate the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy and identify tumor recurrence earlier.
MRI of Reston, also on the Reston Hospital Center campus, features three MRI units including Open MRI that combines comfort and speed with high-field performance. The spacious opening helps anxious or claustrophobic patients to relax.
Medical Imaging Center of Reston offers 4-D ultrasound in addition to conventional ultrasound, CT scans, X-ray, fluoroscopy and mammography.
"Reston Hospital's advanced systems provide a diagnosis much more quickly," states Vincent Mascatello, MD, of Reston Radiology Associates. "If you're the patient, that's very important."
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When radiologists find something unusual in a mammogram, the case is turned over to Doreen Grzelak, RN, with Women's Imaging - a dedicated area within the Medical Imaging Center of Reston.
Grzelak provides not only follow up, but follow through for abnormal mammograms. She schedules stereotactic breast biopsies for patients, accompanies the patient during the procedure performed by mammography techs, and provides the attention and reassurance women often need throughout the experience.
"The job Doreen does makes our center different," says Simmons. "I've had a lot of patients tell me later that they couldn't have gotten through the process without her."
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Reston Hospital Center's surgical services and nursing - from pre-op registration to surgery, recovery and post-operative care - have earned a reputation for patient care excellence.
The hospital's Perioperative Services Department - known as the OR - features ten state-of-the-art operating rooms.
The vast majority of surgeries at Reston Hospital Center are performed on an outpatient basis. Three times in a year the hospital's Outpatient Surgery department has received best practices recognition with parent company HCA. These awards are based on Patient Satisfaction Survey results - the most important critics of all.
"Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer CIndy Glover, RN (right), and Best of Reston winner Nancy Susco, RN, director of the Surgical Unit."
"The repeat recognition demonstrates the caliber of services at Reston Hospital," says Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Glover, RN.
When longer stays are required, patients recover in the Surgical Unit. This department, featuring 55 beds in private rooms is led by Nancy Susco, RN, a 2004 Best of Reston Award for Community Service winner.
Nancy is an excellent role model for her staff and believes very strongly in giving back to the community," notes Glover. "Her leadership is reflected in the care that our patients receive on the Surgical Unit."
Just across Town Center Drive, Reston Surgery Center provides another convenient location for outpatient surgery. With modern surgical advancements, more procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. "This allows the hospital to dedicate more surgery time in our operating rooms to the more complex cases," explains Glover. "We're pleased to provide our community with greater options when surgery is needed."
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The 5,000 square foot Endoscopy unit features three procedure rooms dedicated to endoscopy and a fourth used exclusively for minor surgical procedures.
In addition to equipment to perform a colonoscopy, a screening tool to detect cancer, the unit also offers specialized equipment to evaluate swallowing disorders, acid reflux, biliary disease (conditions affecting the bile system), and other bleeding disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
"This unit is well-designed and very convenient for patients," notes Jim Cliett, RN, director of Perioperative Services at Reston Hospital Center. "It's a great addition to our complement of surgical services."
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Reston Hospital Center offers our patients inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy, some forms of brachytherapy (seed implants for prostate cancer, I 131 for thyroid cancer), and state-of-the-art radiation therapy. The Radiation Therapy Department is located in the lower level of the Pavilion at Reston Hospital Center. This department consists of radiation oncologists and a full support staff. Our radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons, and other physicians so that combined chemotherapy, surgery and radiation result in many advances in treatment of certain cancers.
Radiation therapy is one of the most sophisticated tools of modern medicine. It is usually given five days a week for six or seven weeks. When radiation is used for relief of pain, the course of treatment may last two or three weeks. Daily treatments are given in small daily doses rather than several large doses to help protect the normal body tissues in the treatment area. Patients can expect each daily radiation session to last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Receiving external radiation treatments is painless, just like having an X-ray. Most patients receiving radiation therapy are able to continue working and maintain a relatively normal lifestyle.
Oncology program services are also provided by an Oncology Services director, tumor registrar, dietitian and a case manager. We also provide special support groups and programs as a service to our patients. For details, go online to restonhospital.com.
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The Medical/Oncology Unit on the fifth floor of the West Wing Patient Tower at Reston Hospital Center has 33 private rooms with ten dedicated oncology beds.
The staff includes Oncology Nursing Society and chemotherapy certified Registered Nurses. They care for patients newly diagnosed with cancer, those receiving cancer treatment, those receiving symptom control from the disease or treatment side effects and those needing palliative care.
The goal of the unit is to provide patients with the quality of care they deserve, the education they need to understand their diagnosis and the emotional support to help them through their treatment.
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Physical rehabilitation is often vital for patients who are preparing for or recovering from cancer-related surgery. Reston Hospital Center offers comprehensive rehabilitation services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Reston Therapy and Fitness Center on the campus of Reston Hospital offers both traditional outpatient rehabilitation and specialized services including treatment for patients who are diagnosed with lymphedema.
Lymphedema is swelling caused by abnormal accumulation of fluid due to deficient lymph drainage. Through a technique called Complete Decongestive Therapy/Manual Lymph Drainage (CDT/MLD) a certified therapist with skilled intervention can direct the lymphatic fluid to intact lymph nodes, reducing the swelling.
"Lymphedema may be diagnosed following a mastectomy or prostate cancer treatment," says Kanchan Akmanchi, a registered occupational therapist who is trained in CDT/MLD. "The ultimate treatment goal is to help patients become independent in the management of the condition."
Contact Reston Therapy and Fitness Center at 703-689-9250 for more information.
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Support takes many forms depending on the needs of each patient and his or her family.
Many people find that information helps provide a degree of control in the face of a frightening diagnosis. The Medical/Oncology Unit features a resource library that provides education and materials on types of cancer, treatments, support groups and more. The library offers Internet access, and the oncology staff is available to assist in assessing cancer resource websites and clinical trial information. Many brochures are free of charge and other materials are available for loan.
The hospital also has a Pain Resource nurse - a registered nurse who can help patients find the kinds of pain control that will help them through the experience.
"Patients have a right to pain relief," notes Holly Anderson, RN. "We work with the patient and his or her physician to develop the most effective pain control plan for that individual."
Support groups can provide a source of information and emotional strength, and Reston Hospital Center offers several groups.
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The Cancer Support Group, a monthly meeting, offers discussion on traditional treatments, networking, information and resources. Speakers provide expertise on topics of interest.
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Look Good - Feel Better® is a program for women who are currently undergoing cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society program is designed to help women receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy cope with the cosmetic side effects of treatment.
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No one wants to think about the possibility of cancer. But it's good to know that if Cancer Care is needed it's just around the corner at Reston Hospital Center.
Many of us find our lives touched by cancer. Reston Hospital Center designed its program to provide comprehensive cancer care by highly trained and compassionate staff using the latest technology in new facilities.
Reston Hospital Center is committed to providing cost effective, quality cancer services to our community. There's comfort in knowing that the highest caliber of care is available right here in Reston.
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Free - phone support/counseling service now available for Tobacco users. Click on the logo to find out more about it.
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Radiation Therapy Demonstrating IMRT, the newest radiation technology, you can see how radiation methods have improved! Watch as strategically placed beams are applied to cancerous tumors. |
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A Guide to Lymphedema If you have had gynecological, melanoma, prostate or kidney cancer in combination with inguinal node dissection and often radiation therapy, you are at risk. With proper education and care, lymphedema can be avoided. |
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A Guide to Breast Cancer If you, a friend, or a family member has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, read through this Guide, which includes questions to ask your doctor, tips on informing your family and how to support your loved ones. |
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Cancer InDepth Treatment information on 21 types of cancer; explaining side effects of cancer treatment, such as anemia, nausea, neutropenia along with tips for managing them. Read the inspiring stories written by cancer survivors. |
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A Guide to Chemotherapy explains the physical and emotional effects of chemotherapy. It's an excellent resource that can help cancer patients learn how to assist during recovery. |
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Exercise Guide for Cancer Patients Carefully monitored exercise may be beneficial to cancer patients by reducing fatigue and improving quality of life. Utilize the helpful tips, articles and progress charts. |
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