West Clinic Interventional Radiologists Perform Region’s First Radiofrequency Ablation

Contact Information:
Deborah D. Coble
901-683-0055  x1312
Cell: 901-831-1010
dcoble@westclinic.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Clinic Interventional Radiologists Perform Region’s First Radiofrequency Ablation for a Metastatic Tumor in the Pancreas

Memphis, TN/Feb 22nd – The West Clinic, a world-class center of excellence in oncology, hematology, radiology and other advanced medical care, announced that Tom Hodgkiss, MD, and Scott Baum, MD, Interventional Radiologists, performed the region’s first Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure for metastatic lesion to the pancreas. The procedure was one of only a select few performed nationwide. A metastatic lesion is a tumor that occurs at another site in the body away from the primary origin of the cancer.

“The results of RF ablation are remarkable,” states Hodgkiss. “The patient was diagnosed six years ago with ocular melanoma and has now undergone seven other RF ablation procedures. The previous RF ablations were successful and included 4 different sites. The patient underwent chemotherapy which was unsuccessful and the pancreatic lesion grew 50% with chemotherapy. After reviewing the scans further and discussing options with the patient, she elected to have the RF ablation performed on her pancreas.”

RFA is a state-of-the-art treatment modality utilizing thermal energy to destroy tumors in patients who are not surgical candidates and/or or have not responded to conventional therapies. Board-certified in radiology and fellowship-trained in interventional radiology, Hodgkiss and Baum have performed hundreds of RFA procedures in patients with liver, lung, kidney, and breast cancers.

“We can insert a needle into the bone and patients find immediate relief, states Baum. “For patients previously considered untreatable, radiofrequency ablation is a breakthrough technology.”

The West Clinic is the only cancer center in the region providing comprehensive diagnostic and interventional radiology services in the clinic’s state-licensed Ambulatory Surgery Center at the Humphreys location.

About The West Clinic
The West Clinic is the region’s premier provider of interdisciplinary cancer care with specialty providers in medical oncology, hematology, gynecologic oncology, diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, pain & palliative care, internal medicine, and psychology with eight clinics in Memphis, the Mid-South, and North Mississippi. www.westclinic.com For additional information please contact Deborah coble, 901-683-0055 ext. 1312.