Treatments

Treatment is determined by the type and stage of lung cancer. Treatment may be surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, or a combination of treatments.

Thoracic Surgery encompass all aspects of chest diseases. Our surgeons are well recognized leaders in Thoracic Surgery nationally and internationally. Our patients come from all over the world to have their operation with our team. Our surgeons’ publications, includes 2 books, over 250 articles in medical journals, and over 50 book chapters.

The mainstay of therapy of esophageal cancer is complete surgical resection. What treatments you receive for esophageal cancer are based on the type of cells involved in your cancer, your cancer’s stage, your overall health and your preferences for treatment.

The goal of treatment is to relieve the dysphagia. Initial therapy is usually esophageal dilatation, but concomitant implementation of medical therapy is essential to promote healing as well as decrease the chance of recurrence.

Today, myasthenia gravis can generally be controlled. There are several therapies available to help reduce and improve muscle weakness. Medications used to treat the disorder include anticholinesterase agents such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine, which help improve neuromuscular transmission and increase muscle strength.

The treatment of mediastinal cancers depends on the type of tumor and its location. Options include: thymoma, lymphomas, neurogenic tumors, and minimally invasive surgery.

Robotic Thoracic Surgery is a robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, that allows for greater surgical precision, enhanced visualization and increased range of motion.

Between the rib cage and the collarbone (clavicle) is a space where the main blood vessels and nerves pass from the neck and the chest into the arm. This space is called the thoracic outlet.

Initial treatment is either observation if the patient is stable, not hypoxic and the pneumothorax is small. If the patient is unstable, hypoxic, or the pneumothorax is large, then the pleura is drained with a catheter or a chest tube.

The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities; it is controlled by the phrenic nerves. Treatment for paralyzed diaphragm is an elective operation so the symptoms need to be bad enough to justify the operation.

Emphysema is a progressive disease that in some cases will significantly compromise the quality of life for people with severe emphysema. Inhalers may help only about 10% of people with severe emphysema. The most effective operation has been lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).

At the Vasek Polak Radiation Oncology Department, our patients have access to leading-edge radiation therapy technologies to shrink and kill cancer cells.