Colonoscopy and Robotic Colorectal Surgery Turned Patient's Worry to Relief
After a first-time colonoscopy revealed a large rectal tumor, the Virtua team provided Mary the complex colorectal care and comfort she needed.
With a family history of colon cancer, Mary Kelleher knew it was important to stay on top of her colorectal screenings. She opted for an at-home stool DNA test, which came back negative. When it was time to repeat the screening, however, the 57-year-old made the potentially lifesaving decision to have her first colonoscopy instead.
In January 2025, Mary scheduled a fast-track colonoscopy with Virtua gastroenterologist Brian Copeland, DO.
“I was very nervous, but Dr. Copeland explained the benefits and safety of a colonoscopy and the importance of having it done,” said Mary, a Gloucester County special education teacher. “And I’m so thankful that I did.”
Robotic surgery improves accuracy, speeds recovery
The colonoscopy revealed a large, 35-millimeter growth in her rectum. Because of the size and location of the growth, Dr. Copeland connected Mary with an interventional gastroenterologist for additional tests. She immediately feared the worst—that the growth might be cancer.
“I told Dr. Copeland I was afraid I wouldn’t see my granddaughter go to kindergarten. He squeezed my hand and said I’d be able to walk her down the aisle,” said Mary. “He assured me that even if it was cancerous, it was curable, that I was going to be OK. When we got the biopsy results a few days later, I was so relieved that the tumor was benign.”
To prevent the tumor from becoming cancerous and causing symptoms like constipation and rectal bleeding, Keith Meslin, MD, FACS, FASCRS, Virtua chief of colorectal surgery, removed the tumor and a portion of her rectum using the da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgery System for a more accurate procedure and faster recovery.
During the procedure, he found and removed another precancerous polyp that was hidden from previous scans.
“We were able to accomplish the surgery through a small 1½-inch incision,” said Dr. Meslin, one of the nation’s leading robotic colorectal surgeons. “We removed the growths, and she didn’t need radiation or a colostomy bag. The ultimate result was great.”
Colonoscopy allows Mary to be ‘here for my family’
As she recovered, Mary wondered what would have happened if she had elected to have a second at-home stool DNA test instead of a colonoscopy. While at-home tests are convenient and can detect genetic mutations and abnormal DNA linked to colorectal cancer, they are not as accurate as colonoscopy and may miss precancerous polyps.
“Colonoscopy is the gold standard in diagnosing adenomas and colon cancer, and thanks to GI Genius AI-enhanced colonoscopy at Virtua, precancerous polyp detection continues to get even better,” said Dr. Copeland, Virtua vice president of digestive health.
Mary will have a follow-up colonoscopy with Dr. Copeland later this year. She praises him for coordinating her team of experts and for “going the extra mile” with her care.
“I’m happy to be back to teaching,” she said. “Honestly, I love my life, everything about it. To me, it’s all about knowing I will be here for my family—and be able to walk my granddaughter down the aisle when she is ready to be married.”
Schedule your colonoscopy screening with AI-enhanced detection
Over age 45? It’s time to schedule a colonoscopy. At Virtua, we utilize AI technology with GI Genius™ that helps your doctor identify difficult-to-spot polyps. Don’t put off this life-saving screening. Schedule your colonoscopy today.
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