Thoracic Cancer Services
Thoracic Cancer Team
The thoracic multidisciplinary team at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute is comprised of many specialists, including: primary care physicians, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and gastroenterologists. Each team member focuses on diagnosing and treating lung conditions and diseases. Florida Hospital radiologists provide diagnostic imaging and perform procedures to diagnose thoracic cancer. Our pathologists confirm the presence and stage of the cancer. Medical and radiation oncologists develop treatment plans using the best forms of medication or radiation therapies to combat invasive cancer. By involving physicians with different areas of expertise, thoracic cancer patients receive the most advanced, effective treatment possible.
The thoracic multidisciplinary team at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute is comprised of many specialists, including: primary care physicians, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and gastroenterologists. Each team member focuses on diagnosing and treating lung conditions and diseases. Florida Hospital radiologists provide diagnostic imaging and perform procedures to diagnose thoracic cancer. Our pathologists confirm the presence and stage of the cancer. Medical and radiation oncologists develop treatment plans using the best forms of medication or radiation therapies to combat invasive cancer. By involving physicians with different areas of expertise, thoracic cancer patients receive the most advanced, effective treatment possible.
Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic surgery concentrates on diseases of the chest including cancers in the lungs, esophagus and chest wall. Our board-certified general and thoracic surgeons are adept at treating lung and esophagael cancer.
Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
Florida Hospital Cancer Institute physicians use a technologically advanced procedure called Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) to perform surgery on the thorax or chest region.
Standard thoracic surgery is highly invasive. Generally, a surgeon must make a large opening in the chest wall to reach the desired area. However, VATS enables surgeons to perform many common thoracic procedures in a minimally invasive manner. In most VATS procedures, surgeons operate through two to four tiny openings between the ribs. This method allows them to insert an endoscope (tiny camera) into the chest. The surgeon can then view the patient's internal organs on a monitor. Each opening is less than one inch in diameter; six to ten-inch incisions are not uncommon in open thoracic surgery.
VATS allows surgeons to remove masses close to the outside edges of the lung and to test them for cancer without major surgery. VATS is also useful for diagnosing certain pneumonia infections, diagnosing chest wall infections or tumors and treating collapsed lungs. Advantages of the minimally invasive VATS technique include: reduced pain, shorter recovery, less risk of infection and minimal scarring.
Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Lobectomy
A lobectomy – the surgical removal of a large section of lung – gives patients with early-stage lung cancer the best chance of a cure. The traditional approach to this procedure is called a thoracotomy – a highly invasive surgery in which an incision is made on the side of the chest between the ribs. The ribs are then spread apart so the surgeon can see into the chest cavity and remove the tumor or affected tissue. Patients who have this surgery typically stay in the hospital for five to seven days following the procedure, and have an extended recovery at home.
Thoracic surgery concentrates on diseases of the chest including cancers in the lungs, esophagus and chest wall. Our board-certified general and thoracic surgeons are adept at treating lung and esophagael cancer.
Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
Florida Hospital Cancer Institute physicians use a technologically advanced procedure called Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) to perform surgery on the thorax or chest region.
Standard thoracic surgery is highly invasive. Generally, a surgeon must make a large opening in the chest wall to reach the desired area. However, VATS enables surgeons to perform many common thoracic procedures in a minimally invasive manner. In most VATS procedures, surgeons operate through two to four tiny openings between the ribs. This method allows them to insert an endoscope (tiny camera) into the chest. The surgeon can then view the patient's internal organs on a monitor. Each opening is less than one inch in diameter; six to ten-inch incisions are not uncommon in open thoracic surgery.
VATS allows surgeons to remove masses close to the outside edges of the lung and to test them for cancer without major surgery. VATS is also useful for diagnosing certain pneumonia infections, diagnosing chest wall infections or tumors and treating collapsed lungs. Advantages of the minimally invasive VATS technique include: reduced pain, shorter recovery, less risk of infection and minimal scarring.
Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Lobectomy
A lobectomy – the surgical removal of a large section of lung – gives patients with early-stage lung cancer the best chance of a cure. The traditional approach to this procedure is called a thoracotomy – a highly invasive surgery in which an incision is made on the side of the chest between the ribs. The ribs are then spread apart so the surgeon can see into the chest cavity and remove the tumor or affected tissue. Patients who have this surgery typically stay in the hospital for five to seven days following the procedure, and have an extended recovery at home.
Thoracic surgeons at the FHCI utilize a minimally invasive version of this surgery by using Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) techniques to perform a lobectomy. During a VATS lobectomy, three one-inch incisions and one three to four-inch incision are made. This provides access to the chest cavity without having to spread the ribs. Instead, an endoscope and other surgical equipment are inserted into the chest via the incisions. The endoscope transmits images of the lung area onto a monitor, allowing the surgeon to identify the exact location of the tumor or affected area. The surgeon then removes the damaged area from the lung though the small incisions.
The VATS lobectomy decreases the average patient’s stay in the hospital to three to four days. Patients recover faster and experience less pain from this minimally invasive technique as compared to the traditional thoracotomy approach.
The VATS lobectomy decreases the average patient’s stay in the hospital to three to four days. Patients recover faster and experience less pain from this minimally invasive technique as compared to the traditional thoracotomy approach.
Esophageal Cancer on the Rise
Esophageal cancer is increasing faster than any other cancer. It ranks among the deadliest cancers. Our thoracic surgeons have extensive surgical experience treating this type of cancer. They work closely with our radiation and medical oncologists to develop individualized treatment for each patient.
