We offer advanced care from a multidisciplinary team of lung cancer experts.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Lung cancer has been linked to tobacco use. Because of that, at Bayhealth, we place an equal emphasis on preventive care, which includes helping people to quit smoking and using tobacco products. Our cancer specialists—including a nurse navigator—work together during multidisciplinary conferences, to review cancer cases and determine the best treatment scenario for each patient. The treatment plan is shared with your physicians so that everyone understands all the steps in your care.
Screenings
Free screenings are available for patients who qualify based on annual income.
Preventive Care
Tobacco Cessation
Quitting smoking can improve your chances of avoiding lung cancer later in life.
The Delaware Quitline is a free service available to every Delawarean 18 years of age and older. It provides phone or face-to-face counseling. Call 1-866-409-1858, toll-free, to enroll in the program.
Diagnostic Technology
Chest X-ray
If you are a smoker, have smoked during your lifetime or have a family history of lung cancer, you may consider having a chest X-ray routinely. This test captures images of your heart, lungs, airway, blood vessels and lymph nodes.
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
A tube is passed through your mouth into the airway that leads to the lungs. A special probe is used to send sound waves into the surrounding tissue, including the lungs, to capture images of the cancer tumor. A biopsy, which is a sample of tissue, is also taken.
Low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan
During this innovative screening, scans of the chest area are created using computer-processed X-rays generated in “slices” for more accuracy.
Thoracoscopy
Surgeons explore the lungs and chest area to determine if tumors are present and the location of them.
Treatment Options
Medical Therapies
Chemotherapy
Specially trained nurses (RNs) deliver intravenous drug therapy through infusion in a series of treatments.
Radiation Therapies
External beam radiation
Physicians use high-powered radiation to target the area where the tumor resides. Treatments occur over a period of time and at intervals that are right for the cancer type and stage.
Stereotactic radiosurgery
Precisely targeted radiation therapy delivered in high doses, performed in just one or a limited number of treatments.
Brachytherapy
Physicians place seeds that contain radiation energy into the tumor so that they can work continuously to destroy the cancer cells.
Surgical Innovations
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)
In this minimally invasive procedure, surgeons use specially designed instruments through small openings to remove the lung tumor.
Tumor resection
In this “open” or traditional surgery, a surgeon removes the tumor, often with robotic surgery, along with a section of the lung that contains the tumor.
Lobectomy
Surgeons remove, often via robotic surgery, the entire lobe of one lung.
Pneumonectomy
Surgeons remove an entire lung.
Support Groups
Cancer support groups offer cancer patients and their families a way to connect and share experiences.