Only 3.8% of those at high risk for cancer in Georgia are screened, according to the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of Lung Cancer report. To help enhance awareness and share the latest robotic technologies with healthcare professionals and community members, Wellstar held a Lung Cancer Showcase February 21 at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest in Cobb County. The event was held in a mobile laboratory with mock operating rooms and robotic surgical systems.
During the event, attended by several medical experts, Dr. Theolyn Price, Wellstar thoracic surgeon, and Dr. Timothy Udoji, Wellstar interventional pulmonologist, demonstrated how they use the Ion robotic bronchoscopy and da Vinci Xi surgical robotic system consecutively under a single anesthesia event to locate, biopsy and treat patients with early-stage lung cancer.
As she demonstrated how to control the da Vinci robot’s spider-like arms to perform surgeries, Dr. Price said, “See how I can use this clutch to move my arms up and down?” From there, she explained in detail how she cut away the cancerous tissue.
Dr. Udoji told participants how he uses the Ion robotic navigation bronchoscopy system to perform biopsies on potentially cancerous lung tissue, “This blue line shows exactly the pathway leading to the nodule inside the patient’s lung.”
The Ion robotic bronchoscopy system has safety features that ensure the instrument does not cause complications in other parts of the lung. Physicians can navigate and biopsy nodules in almost any part of the lungs.
Surgery is just one part of the treatment journey for some patients. Wellstar oncology nurse navigator Pam Plasket said, “We are dedicated to removing barriers to care and treatment. We promptly schedule appointments, connect patients to financial assistance and social support resources, and address transportation, housing and food insecurity needs.”
Wellstar nurse navigators know that shortening the journey for the patient is key and provides personalized care. At the Wellstar Specialty Teams and Treatments (STAT) Clinic, the goal is to move lung and esophageal cancer patients from diagnosis to initiating treatment within 14 days, which is facilitated by the multidisciplinary team of experts individualizing their care.
“It’s a privilege to help them. They have all my contact information and can reach out to me, and so can their caregivers,” Plasket said.
In addition to nurse navigators, several other teams were present to share information, including genetics, screening and lung cancer care. At Wellstar, patients have access to a suite of integrated services encompassing incidental lung nodule management, dedicated lung cancer screening and multidisciplinary lung cancer clinics (STAT Clinics).
Dr. Bill Mayfield, medical director of the Wellstar incidental lung nodule and lung cancer screening programs, explained, “Our goal is to broaden Wellstar’s ability to find lung cancers early and save more lives.” Additionally, patients with lung nodules not diagnosed with cancer but at high risk are monitored through regular lung cancer screening CTs or serial chest CTs if they do not qualify for lung cancer screenings.
Showcasing technologies and sharing the strengths of a comprehensive lung cancer program is just one step the team takes to enhance awareness of this unique and special program, available to all patients, from early detection to advanced treatment. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is held in November, but the team continues to increase outreach efforts year-round to build connections with consumers and educate the communities we serve.
You may learn more about the Ion robotic bronchoscopy and da Vinci Xi surgical systems online and read about our expert approach to comprehensive lung cancer at wellstar.org/lungcancer.
Left photo: Pam Plasket, Wellstar oncology nurse navigator, speaks with participants at the recent Lung Cancer Showcase. Right photo: Dr. Theolyn Price, Wellstar thoracic surgeon, explains how she uses the da Vinci robotic system to perform lung surgeries.
