Lung Cancer Treatment
At Saint Peter’s, we pair our physician expertise with cutting-edge technology to offer the latest diagnosis and treatment techniques including endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), navigational bronchoscopy, and video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).
- Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a minimally invasive and highly effective diagnostic procedure in which a small flexible tube with a camera and ultrasound probe is inserted through the mouth and into the lungs. It allows for real-time imaging of the lungs, airways, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. During an EBUS, the pulmonologist can also obtain biopsies for diagnostic evaluation. Patients return home the same day as the procedure.
- Navigational bronchoscopy is a diagnostic technique that allows access to difficult to reach areas of the lung, lymph nodes, and surrounding areas. Our highly skilled physicians can then take a tissue sample, or biopsy, in order to provide an accurate diagnosis. Navigational bronchoscopy allows place markers known as “fiducials” to be placed inside the body to help guide the radiation beams for treatment.
- Surgeons at Saint Peter's were pioneers in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This minimally invasive surgical procedure is used to access the chest cavity to operate on the lungs. Benefits of VATS over traditional surgery include shorter recovery time, less pain and risk of complications, and better quality of life after surgery.