Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most serious and aggressive types of cancer, and being diagnosed with lung cancer can be an intense and overwhelming event in a person’s life. That’s why we have created a state-of-the-art lung cancer treatment program at Mountainside Hospital - complete with the latest diagnostic technology, breakthrough treatments, and a highly specialized team of experts dedicated to treating cancer in a compassionate, supportive environment.

Successful treatment of lung cancer requires the skilled, specialized services of a wide range of professionals. Our unique approach to cancer treatment ensures that you receive the optimal combination of therapies as prescribed by your own personal team of board-certified cancer specialists.

Early detection of cancerous lung tissue is vital in the fight against lung cancer. Survival rates of lung cancer patients increase dramatically when the cancer is detected in its earliest stages. Our facility houses the most advanced diagnostic equipment and the experts that know how to use it.

Our diagnostic options include:

PET/CT scan: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computerized Tomography (CT) are both standard imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint the location of cancer in the body and provide detailed pictures of the location, size and shape of any cancerous growth. Combining these tests allows doctors to diagnose cancer earlier and more accurately, resulting in quicker, more precise treatments for the patients.

CT Biopsy: During this one-hour procedure, a small sample of tissue from inside the body is obtained using the CT machine for guidance. This technique often saves the patient from having to undergo surgery to obtain tissue.

Mediastinoscopy: This procedure allows doctors to view the organs in the area between the lungs and nearby lymph nodes and obtain tissue samples if necessary.

Bronchoscopy: A useful procedure to visualize tumors that are involving the main bronchial passages.

Video-assisted Laparoscopic Lung Surgery: The latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques, this procedure requires only small incisions in the body through which a tiny camera is inserted. This allows doctors to view enlarged images of the chest cavity on a computer screen without exposing the patient to major surgery. This results in less pain and recovery time, and a shorter hospital stay for the patient.

Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT): IMRT has recently been introduced as a refinement to conformal therapy. With this treatment, the intensity of the different beams of radiation constantly changes in order to create a more conformal dose distribution. This maximizes the dose of radiation that reaches the tumor without exceeding the tolerance of nearby critical structures.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): During the RFA procedure, special high-energy sound waves are sent through a probe, which is inserted through a tumor. The sound waves create heat, which destroys the cancer cells while leaving normal tissues unharmed. RFA is minimally invasive, can usually be done using local anesthesia and moderate sedation, and requires only an overnight hospital stay.

Photodynamic therapy: A technique of treatment performed using bronchoscopy to destroy cancer cells with a combination of a light-activating substance and a “cold” laser beam.

Radio-Chemotherapy: The optimal combination of radiation and chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue.

Amifostine: This medication is used to reduce some of the long-term side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Specifically, it protects the kidneys against the harmful effects of certain cancer-fighting drugs and the lungs and esophagus from radiation.

Thoracotomy: A surgical approach to remove the entire malignancy within the lung and any involved nearby lymph nodes. Real-time pathological review of the removed tissue may be used to help determine how extensive the cancer is at the time of surgery.

Multidisciplinary Case Review

The results from your diagnostic tests receive a complete multidisciplinary case review, giving you access to the knowledge, skills, and expertise of our team of medical experts. Through regularly scheduled treatment planning conferences, each patient’s case is confidentially discussed and reviewed by this collaborative team to determine the best, individualized treatment plan. In addition, we keep your personal physician informed and involved with your treatment every step of the way.