Lung Cancer is the number one cause of cancer related deaths in the United States, responsible for roughly one third of all cancer fatalities. Tobacco smokers are at greatest risk for the disease, but lung cancer can also occur in never smokers.
One of the most effective ways to decrease lung cancer mortality is to decrease tobacco use. Monitoring of individuals who smoke via imaging studies may permit early detection of lung cancer.
At the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, a team-oriented approach in caring for lung cancer patients focuses on early detection, minimally invasive interventions, and progressive treatment strategies utilized in conjunction with existing surgical, radiation, and chemotherapeutic modalities.
Smoking cessation programs are key in preventing lung cancer. Montefiore offers cognitive therapy approaches, group support, community education, and medication assisted tobacco cessation assistance to our community.
The lung cancer screening program, in place since 2012, offers our highest risk patients early detection and cure of lung cancer.
Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and at Montefiore Medical Center are actively working on early detection of lung cancer, studying its local epidemiology, characterizing lung cancer development, and participating in dozens of international clinical therapeutic trials.
For many of our patients, the first sign of lung cancer is the identification of a spot, or a nodule, on a chest x-ray or CT scan. Timely coordination of care and early diagnostics are key in offering our patients their best chance with this disease.
A biopsy performed by our Interventional Pulmonologists using bronchoscopy offers our patients the earliest pathways in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.
Advanced molecular testing of all samples offers our patients the best in personalized medicine.
Care afterwards can include surgery with our world class Thoracic Surgery Division, and therapeutics with Oncology, or Radiation Oncology.
Team