The Lung Cancer (Thoracic Oncology) Program at St. Joseph's in Phoenix, Arizona evaluates, diagnoses and treats people with known or suspected cancers of the lung, chest or esophagus. Our multidisciplinary approach is lauded by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer as a best practice model. Services include state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, treatments, a second-opinion service and supportive care.
Multidisciplinary Team
The Thoracic Oncology Program includes a team of physicians from select specialties that evaluates each patient diagnosed with lung cancer. This team includes faculty, fellows, residents, clinical and research nurses, and other support staff.
Thoracic Oncology Case Conference
During the thoracic oncology case conference, each patient's case is presented, and each sub-specialty group gives input on that particular patient’s management. A personalized treatment plan is discussed. Tests and procedures are scheduled in a coordinated, rapid manner, and follow-up plans are established. Referring physicians are notified of management decisions and recommendations, usually within 24 hours of the patient’s visit to the clinic.
Special Aspects of the Lung Cancer Program
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A team approach to care with an experienced group of specialists who are nationally recognized leaders in the treatment of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, as well as metastatic disease to the chest.
- State-of-the-art technologies to help diagnose lung cancer symptoms or lung disease, and the determination of when lung surgery, a lung transplant, or a double lung transplant is required.
- A multidisciplinary clinic with medical/surgical consultations and supportive-care consultations.
- Multidisciplinary case conferences to plan and coordinate care.
- Collaboration with Barrow Neurological Institute® for neurological metastatic disease.
- Second-opinion pathology reviews.
- Cancer nurse coordinators.
- Access to a wide variety of standard and clinical research trial chemotherapeutic protocols.
- Participation in national, regional and cooperative group trials.
Treatment Options
There are many treatment options for lung cancer, our highly trained, specialized team will work with you to determine the best option.
Radiation Therapy
Our Thoracic Oncology Program has a team of experts in radiation oncology who utilize the latest technology to provide patients with the best possible treatment outcomes.
- External beam, 3-D conformal radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy (brachytherapy, Gamma Knife, thermal ablation)
- Participation in RTOG protocols
- Radiosurgery
- CyberKnife, the latest in radiosurgical treatments, has been used to successfully treat more than 6,000 patients worldwide with lesions located in such areas as the brain, spine, lung and pancreas. This advanced technology uses image-guided robotics to deliver surgically precise radiation to destroy intracranial and extracranial lesions such as spinal and soft tissue tumors without the need for open surgery.
Tumor Ablation
For those who are not surgical candidates, radiofrequency ablation is often a viable alternative. Results of radiofrequency ablation in terms of global and disease-free survival currently approach those reported for surgical resection. Ablation techniques include:
- Chemoembolization
- Cryoablation
- High-intensity focused ultrasound
- Laser ablation Microwave ablation
- Percutaneous ethanol instillation (PEI)
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
St. Joseph’s is offering a new procedure that reduces the pain and recovery time for patients who have been diagnosed with early stage lung cancer. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) easily removes affected lobes in the lung. Unlike traditional open surgery for lung cancer, VATS does not require a large incision, and as a result, patients undergoing VATS experience less discomfort and recover quicker.
Lung Cancer Support Group
The lung cancer support group is open to lung cancer patients and their loved ones. This group meets on the second Saturday of every month from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Wellness Community at 360 East Palm Lane Phoenix, Arizona 85004. For more information, please call 602-712-1006.
Contact Us
To learn more about the lung cancer program at St. Joseph's, please call St. Joseph's ResourceLink at 1-877-602-4111.
Lung Cancer Program
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
350 West Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
