UPMC Williamsport adds robotic system for diagnosing lung cancer
Williamsport, Pa. — UPMC Williamsport recently installed a robotic-assisted lung diagnostic tool, to help diagnose patients with lung cancer.
Lesions and growths in the lungs can be viewed via x-rays and CT scans, but these potentially cancerous tissues are difficult to access with traditional biopsy tools.
Ganga Ranasuriya, M.D., pulmonologist, recently performed the first procedures at UPMC Williamsport using the new system, called 'Ion by Intuitive.'
"We are thrilled to be able to provide this new technology for our patients in the community," said Dr. Ranasuriya. "We are hopeful that this technology will enable us to biopsy lung nodules that are deep within the lung safely and effectively, allowing us to detect cancers in early stages before they have spread for more optimal outcomes for our patients."
The Ion system lets physicians use a minimally-invasive endoscope to see inside the lungs, collect a tissue sample, and enable earlier, more accurate diagnosis of small and difficult-to-reach abnormalities in the lung. The system offers computer-assisted navigation and shape-sensing technology so that doctors can quickly and accurately find and collect suspect tissue.
A very thin and highly maneuverable catheter is used to reach into the lungs where nodules are typically located with a reduced risk of complications compared to typical biopsy techniques and tools.
After a nodule is located, it may be marked with a special dye. Coloring abnormalities makes it easier to make sure that the entire nodule is removed.
"Robotic bronchoscopy allows continuous visualization and precise control while navigating through the respiratory tree within the lung," said Syed Yazdani, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, UPMC Williamsport. "Using the Ion allows us to operate with confidence within the smallest of margins — millimeters — which allows us to biopsy further into the lung and offer more patients biopsies than we did previously."
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. It frequently goes undetected in early stages because the condition usually doesn't cause symptoms until it becomes severe.
