Lung Cancer Treatment

At Saint Peter’s, we pair our physician expertise with cutting-edge technology to offer the latest diagnosis and treatment techniques.

The Challenge of Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Early-stage lung cancers are often located deep in the lungs, where standard bronchoscopes have difficulty reaching. More than 70 percent of lung cancers develop in the outer third of the lung, while 64 percent are in the upper lobes, and 51 percent lack a leading airway that can be followed with a bronchoscope.

To overcome these diagnostic challenges, Saint Peter’s offers Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy, a shape-sensing technology that allows pulmonologists to precisely navigate deep into the lung to reach and biopsy nodules.

The process begins with a high resolution CT scan that creates a detailed 3D map of the patient’s lungs. Using this image, the pulmonologist plots a precise pathway through the breathing tubes to the target lesion. During this minimally invasive procedure, the pulmonologist uses a thin, guided, flexible catheter through the lung’s complex airways.

For patients, Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy offers several key advantages:

1. Less invasive: The procedure is performed through the mouth, without the need for surgical incisions. • Lower complication rates: The risk of lung collapse is significantly lower compared with transthoracic needle biopsy.
2. Faster recovery: Most patients go home the same day.
3. Faster diagnosis: Patients will receive treatment earlier when needed.