Early Lung Cancer Detection

Our accredited lung cancer screening program checks for pulmonary nodules. Finding nodules early enables you to receive timely diagnostic testing. If a nodule turns out to be cancer, early treatment is more likely to be successful. We maintain GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence designation for our commitment to quality screening services. It means you can count on us for an accurate test and interpretation. Request a lung screening appointment.

We also identify at-risk patients through our incidental pulmonary nodule program. Using artificial intelligence (AI) software, we identify patients whose previous CT scans for other medical conditions show an unexpected (incidental) spot on the lung. We then reach out to affected patients and their physicians to share findings and discuss whether additional tests are necessary.

Here’s an example of how it works:

If you come to the emergency department after a car accident, your care may include a chest CT scan to check for injuries. This scan will show your lungs in detail, so a radiologist might find a spot in your lungs. But since treating your injuries is the immediate priority, the care team might not mention the spot. Under our incidental pulmonary nodule program, the software detects this finding in your medical record, bringing it to the attention of our team.

Diagnosing Lung Cancer

There are many ways to determine if a lung nodule is cancerous. Sometimes, the appearance on a CT scan can tell us if it is not cancer. This scan combines X-rays from different angles to capture detailed images of the lungs. We may also recommend repeating the scan in a few months to see if it changes.

In most cases, we need to examine a sample of the nodule (biopsy). There are several minimally invasive ways to obtain tissue, including:

• CT-guided biopsy: Experts use real-time CT imaging to guide a needle through the skin to the lung nodule and take a sample.
• Navigational (robotic) bronchoscopy: We gently advance a thin tube (bronchoscope) into the airways. A camera at the tip enables us to assess nodules up close and take a tissue sample.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Lung cancer specialists use a special bronchoscope with an ultrasound probe to capture images using sound waves and take a biopsy.

Lung Cancer Treatments and Support

For early-stage lung cancer, surgery may be the only treatment you need. More advanced cancers may require complex procedures and additional treatment. In some cases, removing large sections of lung tissue and reconstructing airway passages are necessary. Learn more about thoracic surgery at Memorial.

We also offer a full range of nonsurgical options. For patients who are not healthy enough for surgery, our radiation oncologists offer stereotactic radiation therapy. We deliver highly focused radiation, enabling you to complete treatments in fewer sessions. Radiation oncologists coordinate precise treatments that stop cancer cell activity. Care may include brachytherapy, which delivers high doses of radiation directly to the cancer.

Memorial also offers access to leading medical treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. With advanced genetic analysis, we identify which mutations are present in tumor cells to determine whether targeted therapy is appropriate. If it is, you receive medical therapies that attack specific mutations. Find out more about medical oncology.

Supportive Therapies and Services for Lung Cancer

We offer a broad range of cancer support services to help you stay comfortable and feel your best during treatment. Our experts may recommend nutrition counseling, support groups or integrative therapies like massage. If you are using tobacco, we offer smoking cessation services to help you quit for good.