Interventional oncology has been called the fourth pillar of oncology—teaming up with medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology disciplines in the fight against cancer. Recent data, reported in this supplement, suggest that interventional oncologic treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma can shrink tumors, relieve painful symptoms, improve quality of life, and potentially extend survival in patients who cannot be treated effectively with other approaches.

“I am delighted [to announce] that Dr. Meranze will join Dr. Penn and me in the Office of Faculty Affairs. Steve has earned wide respect among leaders at VUMC for his effectiveness as chair of the VUH credentials committee and for his thoughtful handling of faculty affairs matters within the department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences,” Raiford said. "Meranze brings considerable strengths and experience to the Office of Faculty Affairs."

Vanderbilt’s Thomas Powers, M.D., has learned to see exceptionally well in the dark. Powers, associate professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences and clinical director of Emergency Radiology, provides nighttime imaging coverage for Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Emergency Department (ED).

  Dr. Harold Thompson, Professor of Clinical Radiology and Chief of Medical Imaging at the VA, was awarded the prestigious R. Michael Rodriguez Award for Teaching Medical Students, Residents and/or Fellows in the Clinical Setting by Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, at the Spring Faculty Meeting on May 28.

Finding cancer early may make it easier to treat—and possibly cure. Imaging plays a role in screening to detect breast cancer (mammography) and lung cancer (CT). Vanderbilt has made recent advances in both areas, with the implementation of powerful new breast imaging technology and the launch of a lung cancer screening program.

It all started with a faint glow. It was November 1895, and the German physicist, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen,  was experimenting with an early cathode ray tube—a vacuum tube with a contained electric current. During his experiments he noticed an odd fluorescence in crystals on a nearby table. Surprisingly, the glow continued even when he covered the tube with heavy black paper.

Several faculty from the Department of Radiology reached out to Vanderbilt medical students in an effort to create interest in interventional radiology and interventional oncology. As a result, Mary Ellen Koran, PhD, in the Medical Scientist Training Program rounded a group of medical students and formed the Interventional Radiology Interest Group (IRIG).

Twenty retiring faculty members were recognized during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony May 9, when the university honored their years of service and bestowed on them the title of emeritus or emerita faculty. Two of them included Radiology faculty, Thomas S. Dina and Richard M. Heller, Professors of Radiology and Radiological Sciences.

Noninvasive biomarkers that detect programmed cell death – apoptosis – would be valuable for predicting early responses to anticancer therapies and for improving drug discovery. Potential targets for molecular imaging of apoptosis include caspase enzymes, which play essential roles in apoptotic signaling pathways. H.