Lung Cancer Treatment

At Martha Jefferson, a multidisciplinary and multimodality approach to lung cancer provides patients with exceptional quality care and attention. Anatomic and clinical pathologists provide timely diagnosis, staging and treatment. State-of-the-art imaging services, such as CT scan, MRI, PET scan and interventional radiology provide the support needed to evaluate the cancer and the patient's overall health. Multi-modality treatments are provided by experienced medical and radiation oncology physicians. Sophisticated 3D conformal therapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Respiratory Gating allows radiation oncologists to plan optimal therapy to the tumor and spare surrounding tissue. Excellent medical oncologists specialize in systemic treatment of lung cancer using current standards of chemotherapy. A dedicated inpatient oncology unit and outpatient infusion centers offer patients compassionate care by oncology-certified nurses. Aggressive thoracic oncologic surgery is now offered at Martha Jefferson Hospital as well.

Exciting new treatments for lung cancer are continually being explored. Martha Jefferson Hospital will remain on the cutting edge of these advances, providing the best possible care for lung cancer patients in Central Virginia. The following is a partial list of services:

• PET and CT scans for accurate staging
• Radio frequency catheter ablations of lung tumors
• Interventional pulmonary endoscopy
• Endoscopic ultrasound biopsies to enhance staging process with minimal invasion or morbidity
• Minimally invasive thoracic surgery
• Major thoracic oncologic surgery
• Respiratory gating to match radiation treatments to breathing cycles
• Amifostine administration for chemoprotection of healthy lung tissue during radiation treatments
• Access to clinical trials
• Case presentations at weekly cancer conference
• The use of targeted therapies such as Tarceva to block the growth and spread of cancer
• Access to Martha Jefferson Cancer Center support services