Lung and Thoracic Cancers

How do the specialists at the Institute diagnose lung and thoracic cancers?

When you first come to the Institute, we will review your health records and any previous tests or imaging. In some cases, we may ask you to undergo additional imaging tests.

Many tests we use to diagnose lung and thoracic cancers involve inserting a thin, flexible tube (scope) into your throat or chest. This tube has a lighted camera on the end that allows your doctor to look for signs of cancer in your organs or tissues. These tests can include:

Esophagoscopy – to look at the inside of your esophagus (throat)

Mediastinoscopy – to look for signs of cancer around the windpipe, esophagus and surrounding lymph nodes

Thoracoscopy – to look at the space around your lungs

Endoscopic ultrasound – ultrasound probe at the end of the scope will send sound waves to create a picture of your organs

In some cases, your doctor may take a biopsy (tissue sample) during these tests. Your doctor will send the tissue sample to a lab where a pathologist will look at it under a microscope and check for signs of cancer.

Other tests we may use to diagnose lung and thoracic cancers include:

Chest X-rays

CT scans

MRI

PET scans

Once we gather this information, your oncology care team will review your test results with the radiologists. Working together, we’ll pinpoint your diagnosis and determine the best treatment approach.

How do the specialists at the Institute treat lung and thoracic cancers?

At the Institute, we treat every patient like a family member. That means we will do everything possible to find the best treatment for your needs.

Everyone in our care starts with an evaluation at our multimodality clinic. At this clinic, you will meet with all the experts on our team during the same visit. We’ll talk through your diagnosis, discuss treatment options and spend time answering your questions.

After this initial meeting, our team of specialists will collaborate on your treatment plan. We’ll review your tests and scans while considering your personal preferences and overall health.

Your treatment plan will depend on your specific diagnosis. For many patients, treatment starts with surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. At the Institute, we have access to the latest surgical techniques, including minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery and robot-assisted procedures.

Lung and thoracic cancer treatment can also include:

Chemotherapy

Immunotherapy

Radiation therapy

Targeted therapy

Our approach

When you come to the Institute for lung and thoracic cancer treatment, you can expect:

A complete treatment plan that considers all aspects of your health and well-being
A team of experts who collaborate on your treatment and work together to support you throughout the cancer journey
The latest diagnostic technology and treatment options available all under one roof

Frequently Asked Questions

During this procedure, your doctor will make small incisions in your chest and insert a thin tube with a camera on the end (thoracoscope). Your doctor will then insert small tools into the incisions to remove tissue, tumors or drain fluid.
Your treatment experience will depend on your diagnosis, the type of surgery you receive and underlying health conditions. At the Institute, we strive to use minimally invasive surgery whenever possible, which usually results in less pain during recovery. Minimally invasive surgery also helps limit blood loss, reduces recovery time and lowers the risk of complications during surgery.

Meet the team

Our renowned cancer professionals work together across multiple specialties to provide you with advanced cancer screenings, diagnostics and personalized care.

Surgical Oncology

Medical Oncology

Radiation Oncology

Clinical Trials

At Lynn Cancer Institute, we treat cancer in today’s patients and offer hope for those who may get the disease in the future. Through clinical trials, we study promising new ways to diagnose and treat cancer. As our patient, you have access to these trials and treatments that aren’t widely available elsewhere. If a clinical trial may be right for you, we’ll talk with you about the potential benefits and risks. We make your overall well-being and safety our top priority if you choose to participate.

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What types of lung and thoracic cancers are treated at the Institute?