Author: Leslie Toldo
It is a message we have heard countless times- catching cancer early vastly improves the odds of survival. With lung cancer this has long been complicated.
“Lung cancer typically goes undetected until it is in a late stage because there are seldom signs of cancer early on when it is curable,” said McLaren Flint thoracic surgeon Dr. John Kuhn.
A new program at McLaren Flint aims to enhance the benefits of early detection and help streamline the healing process for patients. The Lung Nodule program employs a combination of technology and highly skilled providers to reach that goal. Specialists, including interventional pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, radiologists, and radiation, medical, and surgical oncologists work to optimize lung cancer care at all stages. This team also includes patient nurse navigator, Brittany Hall, RN, BSN.
“My goal is to help patients in any way I can to work through any barriers that they may experience throughout the whole lung screening and follow-up process,” Brittany said.
The process starts with screening with a simple, painless computed tomography (CT) scan. These scans are now considered the gold standard in routine lung cancer screening. Since 2013, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended the annual scans for smokers, 50 to 80 years old, with a 20-pack year history. This includes both current smokers and those who have quit within the last 15 years.
“This is one of the most cost-effective and potentially life-prolonging tests one can have done,” said Dr. Kuhn.
The McLaren Flint Lung Nodule Program also employs new lung biopsy technology, that will help pulmonologists detect even smaller, previously unreachable nodules. The Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, with 90 percent accuracy, versus 70 percent with traditional transthoracic needle lung biopsy.
“As a pulmonologist who has been performing advanced bronchoscopy for more than 12 years, I am very excited by the Ion technology,” said McLaren Flint Pulmonologist Dr. John Youssef. “Ion is the pinnacle in advancement for sampling smaller, hard to reach lung nodules.
Ion integrates with advanced imaging to create a 3D model of a patient’s lungs. This allows doctors to view previously unreachable nodules in the peripheral tissue, where 70 percent of lung cancers originate. The pulmonologist then guides the Ion catheter to the nodule for biopsy.
“We have had impressive success in diagnosing cancer in small 8 to 10 mm lung nodules,” Dr. Youssef said. “Our patients have a significant advantage in being diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage.”
These advances are giving patients a big advantage in the healing process, impacting their treatment options. The program’s team of clinical experts meets often to discuss, assess, and design targeted, customized treatment plans for each patient. Then, Brittany helps patients navigate and traverse the path laid out by this highly skilled team.
“I believe that it is important for patients to have someone available to assist them with navigating and understanding their treatment plans,” Brittany said. “My goal is to attempt to decrease possible feelings of being overwhelmed for the patients, and to ensure that none of the items on the treatment plan get accidentally overlooked.”
To learn more about McLaren Flint’s Lung Nodule Program, visit mclaren.org/flintlungprogram.