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Thoracic Cancer


Expedient, Collaborative Care

The GHS Oncology Multidisciplinary Center (MDC) approach to cancer treatment means that patients are evaluated quickly and fast-tracked through the many imaging studies and physician visits they need. Physicians who refer patients with abnormal chest X-rays or CT scans can rest assured those patients will be evaluated promptly. In its imaging portfolio, GHS offers the latest in endobronchial ultrasound technology for staging pulmonary and esophageal cancers.

 
Another factor that enhances thoracic surgery at GHS is the large number of physician subspecialists interested in thoracic care and actively involved in patient treatment plans. Thoracic surgeons meet weekly with other physicians who make up the MDC team, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and interventional radiologists.
 
Thoracic surgeons also collaborate closely with pulmonary specialists and pathologists in the care of patients with cancerous and noncancerous diseases. Examples of noncancerous procedures include tissue biopsy for analysis of interstitial lung disease, sympathectomies for treatment of hyperhidrosis and removal of thymomas.

"We have a dedicated team who treat patients with thoracic problems on a daily basis" Dr. Stephenson said.

 

Minimally Invasive Surgery Experience

Drs. Bolton and Stephenson are among the few surgeons in the Upstate who can perform minimally invasive pulmonary and esophageal resections. These operations, performed using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) techniques, enable patients to spend less time with chest tubes postoperatively and shorten the hospital stay. There also is much less pain associated with VATS than with thoracotomy.
 
The sooner patients recover from surgery, the sooner they can start postoperative cancer treatment, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Thus, a speedier recovery enabled by minimally invasive surgical techniques can lead to better overall cancer treatment outcomes.
 
For information or to refer a patient, call (864) 455-4YOU.