Comprehensive Lung Cancer Care at UH Seidman Cancer Center

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center's team of board-certified and fellowship-trained lung cancer doctors, specialists and extensive support staff provide comprehensive lung cancer care to help patients with all types and at all stages of the disease. Our team treats even the most complex lung cancers with an individualized approach to improve overall lung health and quality of life.

As part of the National Cancer Institute-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, we provide our patients with the expert lung cancer care they need.

To schedule an appointment with a lung cancer doctor, call: 440-745-7971

Advanced Diagnostics and Screenings for Lung Cancer

If you have lung cancer symptoms, our specialists will perform a thorough examination. In addition to screening for lung cancer, we will also review your medical history in detail to understand your overall health and lifestyle habits. Diagnostic tests include:

• Bronchoscopy: Using GPS technology, a physician navigates a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera through the mouth or nose and down to the lungs.
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS): A guided biopsy designed to check for lung cancer and determine whether the disease has spread to the lymph nodes.
• Fine needle aspiration (FNA): Placing a tiny needle into the tumor and using suction to remove a small amount of tissue, which can be evaluated under a microscope.
• Sputum cytology: A mucus sample is taken, then examined under a microscope.
• Thoracentesis: Drawing fluid from around your lungs with a needle so the fluid can be evaluated under a microscope.
• Chest X-rays: Images of your lungs taken to search for abnormal areas.

Detect Cancer in the Lungs With Low Dose Computed Tomography

For patients at high risk for lung cancer, our team provides low dose computed tomography (CT) screenings to find lung nodules or growths. A doctor's order is necessary for the test.

To undergo this advanced screening test, you must:

• Be between the age of 50 to 77
• Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (20 years of smoking a pack a day)
• Be either a current smoker or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
• Be in good health – no new cough or unexplained weight loss
• Be willing to do the follow-up testing and treatment, if needed
• Have not had a chest CT (CAT) scan in the last year
• Have a written physician order for this screening

With this screening, our lung cancer specialists can identify abnormalities or other pulmonary issues sooner for improved outcomes. With treatment or long-term follow-up care by our team of pulmonologists, we can watch for signs of more serious lung issues, including lung cancer.

Individualized Lung Cancer Care: Treatments to Preserve Lung Function

Our lung cancer specialists review your symptoms and lung function to determine your type and stage of cancer. Once they have this information, they can develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific condition and meets your personal goals.

We consider each patient's type of lung cancer and stage, as well as other health issues such as:

• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Potential side effects of radiation or chemotherapy
• Your general health

Your treatment plan may include:

• Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a vein or in a pill form, taken by mouth. The most-often recommended treatment for small cell lung cancer or lung cancer that has spread.
• Proton therapy: Delivers high doses of radiation directly into the tumor. This advanced form of radiation targets only the cancer and doesn't affect the surrounding healthy tissue and vital organs.
• Radiation therapy: Our lung cancer specialists use innovative techniques such as brachytherapy, 3-D conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy to precisely target the tumor.

Surgical Expertise in Minimally Invasive Procedures

When surgery is necessary, our skilled thoracic surgeons have advanced training in minimally invasive techniques. Our team uses this less-invasive approach in the majority of our surgeries for less pain, faster recovery and improved outcomes.

We offer a range of surgical procedures for the optimal treatment of lung cancer, including:

• Lobectomy - removing the lobe of the lung containing the tumor
• Pneumonectomy - removing the entire lung
• Segmentectomy - removing a segment of the lobe of the lung containing the tumor
• Sleeve resection – removing a section of the trachea or bronchial tubes
• Wedge resection - removing a triangle-shaped piece of the lung around and including the tumor

Lung Cancer Clinical Trials

UH Seidman Cancer Center offers a number of clinical trials for patients with cancer in the lungs. These clinical trials can give you access to leading-edge treatments that can make a positive difference in your condition.

Some of these clinical trials include:

• Lung cancer breakthrough discovery to predict patient response to targeted therapy.
• Study of the safest dose, side effects and timing of a cancer drug for non-small cell lung cancer.
• Study of a cancer drug and a chemo drug in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Expert Lung Cancer Care, Close to Home

To be certain that every patient's personal needs are met, our multidisciplinary team thoroughly evaluates each patient's case and collaborates to guide all lung cancer care decisions. Our team of specialists includes:

• Oncologists
• Surgical oncologists
• Pathologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Radiologists
• Pulmonologists
• Medical geneticists
• Genetic counselors
• Nurse navigators
• Nurse practitioners
• Social workers

Our team of lung cancer doctors is located at UH Seidman Cancer Centers at both the main hospital campuses as well as many locations across northeast Ohio. We provide patients with access to clinical trials, lung cancer care teams and ongoing treatments closer to home.

Schedule an appointment with a lung cancer doctor at a UH Seidman Cancer Center near you, call 440-745-7971.