There are approximately 5,900 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the state annually and about 4,100 New Jerseyans die from the disease each year, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
Additionally, lung cancer doesn’t show any symptoms until it is very advanced and can spread to virtually any part of the body, which is why the health care team at Cooper University Health Care is celebrating a new surgical system that can potentially detect lung tumors earlier.
According to a June 16 announcement, the Interventional Pulmonary team at Cooper UHC performed its first three cases using the Ion Endoluminal System by Intuitive Surgical June 9, a new, minimally invasive platform that allows physicians to biopsy hard-to-reach lung tumors that could potentially lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.
The Interventional Pulmonary team at Cooper University Health Care performed a new minimally invasive platform that allows physicians to biopsy hard-to-reach lung tumors. – COOPER UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE
Cooper UHC said it is the first health care system in southern New Jersey to use the new system.
“We are hopeful that this device will help us identify and biopsy lung nodules safely and effectively much earlier, before cancers have spread, for more optimal outcomes,” said Dr. Wissam Abouzgheib, from Cooper’s division head of Pulmonary Medicine, who specializes in high-risk lung cancer screening, in a statement.
According to Cooper, when diagnosed at the earliest stage, the average five-year survival rate is more than 90%, but early-stage diagnosis has often been difficult because of the complicated anatomy of the lung.
However, the Ion system features an ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable catheter that allows doctors to navigate deep into the lung. The system’s augmented fluoroscopy provides real-time imaging of the airway throughout the procedure, Abouzgheib said. The catheter is used to obtain the biopsy, which is then sent to the lab – and the patient can go home the same day.
“By using the robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform, we can help reduce the anxiety and unnecessary waiting times that patients traditionally experience,” Abouzgheib added.
