Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lung grow without stopping. As more abnormal cells develop, they may form into a tumor and can spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body.
Risk factors for lung cancer include:
Symptoms of lung cancer such as cough, chest pain, hoarseness or shortness of breath may not appear until the cancer is advanced.
Valley Health has one of the most comprehensive pulmonary/thoracic programs in the region for the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of lung cancer. The GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer has recognized our lung cancer team at Winchester Medical Center for its commitment to providing patient-focused, coordinated and multidisciplinary care. WMC has been designated a Care Continuum Center of Excellence (CCCE), the first hospital in Virginia to earn that designation.
Valley Health wants to find lung cancer at its early and more treatable stage and work towards eliminating late-stage lung cancer. Adults with a history of smoking are at high risk of lung cancer and can greatly benefit from the low dose CT lung screening program available at any of our Valley Health hospitals. Abnormal lung lesions that appear in a low dose CT scan may require further evaluation and follow-up such as a biopsy. Valley Health’s Lung Nodule Clinic specializes in expediting the workup of patients with lung nodules or lesions and provides assessment and options for further testing and follow-up. The clinic’s team of pulmonary and thoracic specialists also includes physicians from specialties such as diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology.
Specialists at Winchester Medical Center offer advanced, minimally invasive means to diagnose lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases. WMC has expanded advanced diagnostic capabilities with the launch of robot-assisted bronchoscopy using Intuitive Surgical’s ION™ Endoluminal System. WMC was the first facility in the Mid-Atlantic region to acquire the ION robotic platform, which enables minimally invasive biopsy in difficult-to-reach areas of the lung. Combined with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), it allows for patients to get diagnosis and staging in one procedure. This technology is also used to accurately mark lung lesions for more targeted radiation therapy as well as surgery.
Lung cancer can be treated through a range of medical options as well as surgery. Surgery is the best option when the cancer has not spread far in your body. It is usually best for non-small-cell lung cancer, as it can remove the entire tumor in one operation.
Different treatment options, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and radiofrequency ablation, can be used before, after, or instead of surgery. Every patient’s ideal treatment plan is different.
Patients receiving lung cancer care at Valley Health’s Cancer Center have access to a patient navigator who provides personalized support, information, and resources.
Minimally invasive thoracic surgery has had a profound impact on the surgical treatment of lung cancer. At Winchester Medical Center, we offer advanced surgical treatments including minimally invasive techniques of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted techniques.
Radiation may be used before surgery to shrink a tumor and make it easier to remove. It can also be used after surgery to kill any of the cancer cells left behind. Sometimes it is used in combination with chemotherapy or to relieve pain or other symptoms of lung cancer.
Chemotherapy drugs are administered through an IV and, similar to radiation therapy, can be given before or after surgery. It is also often used as the main treatment for those for whom surgery is not an option.
The Cancer Center is home to a nationally accredited program that provides close-to-home access to state-of-the-art treatments and technology in Virginia. Call us at 855-9-VH-HOPE (855-984-4673) to learn more.