Our Approach
Our specialists work together to evaluate each patient, establish an accurate diagnosis, and develop an individualized plan based on the condition, overall health, and goals of care.
Care may include medical management, advanced diagnostic procedures, interventional pulmonology, minimally invasive or robotic surgery, radiation therapy, systemic treatment, lung cancer screening, and ongoing monitoring. By bringing these specialties together, we can help patients move efficiently from evaluation and diagnosis to the treatment or follow-up that is most appropriate for them.
Thoracic and Pulmonary Conditions We Treat
Pulmonary and thoracic conditions can range from chronic airway and lung disorders to complex chest conditions and cancer. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, abnormal imaging findings, or recurrent respiratory problems may require evaluation by more than one specialty.
Our specialists evaluate and treat a broad range of pulmonary and thoracic conditions, including:
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary nodules
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema
- Bronchiectasis
- Mediastinal tumors
- Chest wall tumors and conditions
- Paralyzed diaphragm (diaphragmatic paralysis)
- Spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Tuberculosis
- Pleural disease
- Interstitial lung disease
- Other pulmonary and thoracic disorders
Because symptoms can overlap among different lung and chest conditions, determining the underlying cause is an important part of deciding what care may be needed. Evaluation may involve pulmonary testing, advanced imaging, bronchoscopy, biopsy, or consultation with pulmonary, thoracic surgical, and oncology specialists depending on the findings.
Thoracic and Pulmonary Treatments
Treatment is guided by the diagnosis rather than by a single technology or procedure. Depending on the condition, patients may benefit from medical therapy, interventional pulmonology, minimally invasive procedures, thoracic surgery, radiation therapy, systemic treatment, or a combination of approaches.
Our specialists provide a broad range of pulmonary, thoracic surgical, and thoracic oncology treatments, including:
- Lung cancer treatment
- Bronchoscopic pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation for selected lung tumors
- Lung volume reduction for emphysema
- Chest wall tumor treatment and reconstruction
- Mediastinal tumor treatment
- Diaphragm plication for paralyzed diaphragm
- Treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome
- Interventional pulmonology procedures
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS)
- Radiation therapy and systemic cancer treatment
The most appropriate treatment depends on the condition, its severity or stage, anatomy, lung function, overall health, and the goals of care. When several approaches are possible, our specialists work together to determine whether medical management, a minimally invasive intervention, surgery, cancer treatment, or a combination of therapies offers the most appropriate path forward.
Multidisciplinary Pulmonary and Thoracic Care
Complex pulmonary and thoracic conditions often require expertise from several specialties. Our program brings together pulmonology and interventional pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, nursing, and other specialists according to each patient’s needs.
This team-based approach can be particularly important when a diagnosis is uncertain, several treatment options are possible, or care needs to move quickly from imaging and biopsy to treatment. The goal is to develop a coordinated plan while helping patients understand what comes next and why.
Research, Innovation and Clinical Trials
Saint John’s Cancer Institute combines patient care with translational research and access clinical trials aimed at improving how thoracic cancers are detected and treated. Research helps to evaluate emerging diagnostic technologies, minimally invasive procedures, new systemic therapies, and other approaches designed to personalize your care.
For patients with cancer, participation in a clinical trial may be considered when an appropriate study is available and fits the individual clinical situation. Trial eligibility is determined by the study requirements, diagnosis, previous treatment, and other medical factors.
From screening and diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, our Pulmonary and Thoracic team at Saint John’s Health Center provides coordinated care for patients with both cancerous and noncancerous conditions of the lungs and chest.
Our specialists combine medical expertise, advanced diagnostic technology, interventional pulmonology, minimally invasive surgery, oncology treatment, and patient navigation to help determine the most appropriate path forward.
