Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center
703-504-7900
The Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center, accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, provides a full spectrum of cancer care and was one of the first in the area to offer radioactive seed implants for treating prostate cancer.
The Cancer Center offers state-of-the-art technology and treatment options, including two external beam linear accelerators, a CT simulator, HDR (high-dose rate) treatment and a chair infusion center.
Patients have access to surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, as well as dietary, emotional and support services essential for effective cancer care.
Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center is the first hospital in Northern Virginia to offer Trilogy™, a new state-of-the-art linear accelerator that can treat cancer conditions earlier, more quickly and with unprecedented precision while reducing treatment times, improving outcomes and minimizing side effects.
The Trilogy system's linear accelerator allows the machine to rotate around the patient to deliver radiation treatments from nearly any angle, targeting tumors and reducing the amount of radiation exposure patients typically experience. The high-precision system allows the radiation beam to be shaped to match the three-dimensional shape of the tumor, and an On-Board Imager™ device delivers fast, accurate, real-time tumor tracking and automated patient positioning. This capability ensures that the tumor is precisely aligned with the radiation beam. Patients can now be assured that their treatment regimen will correct for any slight movement they might make while positioned on the treatment table.
The Trilogy system also includes technology that helps doctors correct for tumor motion caused by body motion such as breathing. A set of optical guidance cameras monitor and correct for any patient movement, while an infrared monitoring device turns the radiation beam on and off during treatment to compensate for respiratory motion. This feature is especially useful for treating lung cancer.
Because Trilogy allows healthcare providers to deliver the most accurate treatments possible in the shortest amount of time, patients may experience better outcomes along with greater comfort, since they will spend less time on the treatment table.
The Trilogy system's wide range of capabilities make it ideal for treating cancers of the breast, lung, prostate, kidney, liver, colon and more.
Services for People Living With Cancer
Social Workers Are Here To Help You
Social workers help people deal with the psychosocial impact of cancer treatment. Our social worker can provide a valuable link to resources available in your community.
Please feel free to ask our social worker any questions that have not been answered. In addition, our oncology social workers are trained in individual and family therapy. Social workers understand that cancer is a disease that affects the entire family, and sometimes those effects last long after treatment is completed.
One of our main goals in offering social work services at the Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center is to reduce outside stressors, which can impact a person's ability to cope with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Concerns You May Have
Some questions or problems
a person may bring to our social worker include:
- I'm not able to work, and I need help applying for Social Security
- I don't have insurance.
- I don't know what to tell my children about my cancer diagnosis.
- I don't drive, and I don't have anyone to bring me to radiation treatment.
- I can't afford to pay for my medications.
- My spouse doesn't understand what I'm going through.
- I would like to talk to another cancer survivor my age. I live alone, and I'm having a difficult time cooking and cleaning.
How Social Workers Can Help
Cancer impacts patients and their families in many ways. Medical social
workers link patients with resources, assist patients and
families in
problem identification, and work with
patients to enhance problem solving and coping skills. A needs assessment
can link patients and families with resources that provide community
services,
including financial
assistance, transportation
and continuing care, such as home health. Support
groups are available.
If more than short-term counseling is required,
referrals can be made
for follow-up.
Tips to Ease Your Cancer Journey
- Continue pursuing your everyday activities.
- Surround yourself with supportive people.
- Enjoy the simple things in life.
- Laugh often, long and out loud.
- Allow yourself to cry.
- Surround yourself with what you love, whether it is family, pets, keepsakes or music.
- Do at least one thing that you enjoy each day.
Resources
- Oral Hygiene
- More information about Inova Cancer Services
- Annual
Report
- Speak Up - Help Keep Your Health Care Safe
- Nutrition and Prostate Cancer
- Virtual Tour of the Hospital
- Cancer Center
- Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
- Diabetes
- Diagnostic Services
- Emergency Department
- Endoscopy
- Heartburn Treatment Services
- Inova Heart Services
- Labor and Delivery
- Nutrition Services
- Orthopedic Services
- Pain Management
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Center
- Sleep Disorders Center
- Stroke Management Services
- Surgical Services
- Inova Alexandria Hospital Women's Center
