Penn Highlands Mon Valley Brings Microwaves Into Surgery

Debra Dwzinsky considers herself a somewhat lucky person. While she enjoys winning at BINGO, the great grandmother feels that she hit the jackpot when she received cancer therapy at Penn Highlands Mon Valley.

The Charleroi resident was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021. She received chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the hospital's cancer center and lived cancer free for three and one half years. When she returned to Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center on the hospital's Carroll Township campus for a CT scan earlier this year, a mark was detected on her liver. A biopsy revealed that it was cancerous and her oncologist, Rodney Jamil, MD, referred her to Zachary Senders, MD, a double-board-certified surgical oncologist and general surgeon with Penn Highlands Oncologic and General Surgery. In early August 2024, Dr. Senders performed a microwave ablation on Debra's liver.

"Microwave ablation is a laparoscopic procedure that is not typically performed in community cancer centers," explained Dr. Senders. "The procedure uses microwaves to shrink and eliminate the tumor from the inside out - basically cauterizing it. Microwave ablation is as effective as surgical removal but with a faster recovery."

The actual procedure, which takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes, can be performed on the liver or lungs. It is especially effective for liver cancer that has metastasized from the colon or rectum. Microwave ablation can be performed on an outpatient basis or with an overnight stay in the hospital. Most patients can resume their normal activities within a week.

"I had a few restrictions and a little discomfort but I took Tylenol for about two weeks following the surgery," explained Debra.

With physicians who use advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment, Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center is well positioned to treat patients with many different types of cancer.

"We have a comprehensive cancer program at Penn Highlands Mon Valley," said Dr. Senders. "A multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, hematologists and radiation oncologists work together to deliver expert care to our patients. There is nothing that a patient can get anywhere else that they cannot get here," said Dr. Senders.

Debra, who has lived her whole life in the Mon Valley, adds, "One thing that people can get at Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center that they may not receive at other facilities - straight talk laced with compassion. I highly recommend Dr. Senders. He tells it like it is. He thoroughly explained the procedure to me but made sure that I was comfortable and at ease."

The Hahne Cancer Centers at Penn Highlands Healthcare provide comprehensive cancer care including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Penn Highlands' oncology doctors see patients throughout Pennsylvania where they also provide outpatient diagnostic testing, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hematology services. For more information, visit www.phhealthcare.org/cancercare.

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