Inova first in Virginia and Mid-Atlantic to use advanced fluorescent imaging technology to improve ovarian cancer surgery

FDA-approved technology helps surgeons visualize ovarian cancer in real time during surgery

FAIRFAX, Va. – Inova is the first health system in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic to use an FDA-approved fluorescent imaging technology to help surgeons better identify ovarian cancer during surgery, providing physicians with an additional tool to locate and remove as much cancer as possible during a procedure.

The technology, called CYTALUX (pafolacianine), uses a safe fluorescent imaging agent administered through an IV before surgery. The agent attaches to most ovarian cancer cells, causing them to “light up” when viewed with a specialized camera in the operating room. This helps surgeons identify cancerous tissue that may be difficult to see with the naked eye under standard operating room lighting.

Inova surgeons performed the health system’s first ovarian cancer procedure using the technology on July 8.

“Ovarian cancer can be challenging because even very small areas of disease can be difficult to see during surgery, especially after chemotherapy, which many patients have have started prior to surgery,” said Leslie Randall, MD, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Inova Schar Cancer. “This technology provides another set of eyes in the operating room by illuminating cancerous tissue in real time. It helps us better visualize disease and supports our goal of removing as much visible cancer as possible for our patients.”

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer in the United States, with nearly 20,000 women diagnosed and more than 12,000 deaths each year. The disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when cancer may be present in multiple areas of the abdomen. Because some areas of disease can be difficult to distinguish from healthy tissue during surgery, technologies that improve visualization may help surgeons identify additional cancerous tissue in real time.

During surgery, the fluorescent imaging agent highlights cancer cells under near-infrared light, allowing surgeons to inspect tissue from a different perspective than conventional white-light visualization alone. In a clinical study, led in part by Dr. Randall, use of the technology enabled surgeons to identify additional cancerous lesions that may otherwise have been missed in approximately 27% of patients.

“At Inova, we’re committed to bringing the most advanced, evidence-based technologies to our patients as quickly and thoughtfully as possible,” said Larry Maxwell, MD, president, Inova Women’s Services. “Innovations like fluorescent-guided imaging give our surgeons another powerful tool to better visualize cancer during surgery, supporting our goal of delivering the safest care and achieving the best possible outcomes for every patient.”

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About Inova                                                     

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.

Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality, and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 26,000 team members, our technology, and our innovation. Using objective measures of patient experience, clinical outcomes, and safety, Modern Healthcare ranked Inova #3 in the nation among large health systems. Inova was also named the 2025 Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.