Lung Cancer Services -- 718.780.5835

Early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer is important. Symptoms include chronic cough, hoarseness, coughing up blood or rusty-colored sputum, weight loss and loss of appetite, shortness of breath, unexplained fever, wheezing, recurring lung infections, like bronchitis & pneumonia, and chest pain. These symptoms could signal other lung problems as well.

Lung cancer is diagnosed through tests like chest x-ray, CT scan, spirometry to assess lung function, an analysis of sputum, and bronchoscopy (a visual examination of the lungs.) A new procedure called early detection lung screening uses sophisticated technology to detect lung cancer at an early stage.

If a diagnosis of lung cancer is confirmed, NYM doctors will determine the best treatment plan based on the patient’s type of lung cancer and other factors. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy - all of which can be easily accessed at the Hospital. The Hospital has a dedicated inpatient oncology unit, an ambulatory chemotherapy center, and is a regional radiation oncology center, serving six Brooklyn hospitals.

What is Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)?
VATS is a way to look at the lungs by placing a tiny telescope and surgical tools through small incisions in the chest. The telescope is connected to a video camera that lets the surgeon see a picture of the lungs. Through the incisions, surgeons can remove pieces of cancerous tissue.

The openings made for VATS are smaller, which means less pain and fewer complications for patients. Lastly patients usually leave the hospital sooner with VATS than traditional surgery.

For more information, call tue Institute for Asthma and Lung Disease at 718.780.5835.
To learn more about surgical options for Lung Cancer, call 718.780.7700.