Our Thoracic Surgery centers are dedicated to providing high-quality care to you and your loved ones. Multidisciplinary teams, made up of surgeons, radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists, nurses, other medical staff and coordinators, all work together to maximize care.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the rapid growth of abnormal cells in the lung tissue. Surgery to remove all or part of a lung may be done by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
The VATS procedure involves using a videoscope which is a long, thin tube with a camera attached. This tube and other small surgical instruments are inserted into your chest through small cuts made between your ribs.
The types of lung surgery are:
- Wedge resection – The surgeon removes a small, wedge-shaped piece of the lung that contains the lung cancer, as well as a small margin of healthy tissue around the cancer. This surgery is most often performed when lung function would be seriously reduced by removing an entire lung.
- Segmentectomy – The surgeon removes a segment of the lung, which involves dissection of the smaller blood vessels and bronchi in the peripheral portion of the lung. This surgery is performed more commonly in order to preserve as much lung tissue in patients with limited lung function.
- Lobectomy – The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two lobes. A lobectomy removes the entire lobe of the lung containing the cancer. Your lungs can still function with the remaining lobes.
- Pneumonectomy – In this procedure, the surgeon removes the entire lung containing the lung cancer – lobes and all. This surgery is done only when needed, because it greatly reduces overall lung function.
- Sleeve resection – The surgeon removes the cancerous part of the bronchus, the part of the trachea or windpipe that branches off into each of the lungs, and then reconnects the healthy ends.
Esophageal Cancer
The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquid from the top of your throat to the entrance of your stomach. There are two types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Standard treatment options for esophageal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and endoscopic treatments.
If the tumor has made it difficult or impossible for you to eat, you may receive nutrients through an intravenous (IV) line or feeding tube until you are able to eat on your own.
If you have a narrow or blocked esophagus, you may undergo a procedure in which the esophagus is opened with a mesh tube called a stent. The stent is placed into your esophagus to keep it open and allow you to swallow.
We will discuss your treatment options with you in advance and develop a plan that’s right for you.
Chest Wall Tumors
Malignant chest wall cancers can originate from the ribs or other areas of the chest wall. Over half of these tumors arise from other sites of the body or are extensions of a tumor occurring elsewhere in your body.
We treat these tumors with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.
Our specialists will individually counsel you regarding the proper treatment options for you and offer up-to-date treatment procedures, including clinical trials. Our thoracic surgeons, medical, and radiation oncologists meet frequently to discuss the progress of our patients with chest wall tumors in order to maintain the highest standards of care and share best practices.
Pleural Cancer (Mesothelioma)
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lining of internal organs, especially the lungs and internal chest wall.
Approximately 2,000 new patients every year are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our mission is to offer state-of-the-art treatment to patients with malignant mesothelioma.
With our extensive experience, our team can provide support to those suffering from this disease. Our focus on delivering treatment from many different areas, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, may help extend survival time, as well as minimize cancer-related symptoms.