Surgical Specialties

Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgeons diagnose and treat problems of the lungs, esophagus, and other structures within the chest except the heart.

They treat cancers of the chest, including lung cancer and esophageal cancer, and also perform surgical interventions to correct problems in the upper digestive tract.

As with other surgical specialties, minimally-invasive procedures are changing thoracic surgery. Surgeons now utilize a thoracoscope, a specialized endoscope for examining the chest cavity, to treat collapsed lungs, do biopsies, to aid in doing major resections for lung cancer, and treat other problems.

Diagnosing and treating cancer is a significant part of the practice of many surgeons, and is particularly true for thoracic surgeons, who diagnose and treat problems of the lungs, esophagus, and other structures within the chest except the heart.

The surgical removal of tumors is usually the preferred method of treating cancer because of its potential to cure the disease. Today, with earlier detection and more sophisticated disease staging, surgeons work hand-in-hand with other cancer specialists to treat the disease more successfully than ever before.

Lung cancer, because it is often diagnosed in advanced stages, is a leading cause of death from cancer among both men and women in the United States. Smoking is the overwhelming cause of most cases of lung cancer. Only 3 percent to 5 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer have never been smokers, and secondhand smoke may be a contributing factor for many of them. If an individual quits smoking or cuts down, their risk of developing lung cancer decreases, but only over time. So regular examinations and periodic chest x-rays continue to be important even after someone has stopped smoking.

A full evaluation by physicians trained in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer plays a critical role in successfully combating the disease. If cancer is confined to the lung, treatment usually includes surgery at times combined with radiation and chemotherapy. Advances in anesthesia, surgical techniques, and post-operative care have made it possible for surgeons to operate on patients with lung cancer who previously would not have been surgical candidates. Unfortunately, many people are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease, when cure rates are much lower.

The close working relationship among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, pulmonologists and other medical specialists at CMMC results in exceptional care for cancer patients. The human resources, facilities, and range of cancer therapies available at CMMC combine to form a service that many people assume is only available in larger institutions.

Thoracic surgeons also treat cancer of the esophagus, which is also linked to smoking, particularly in conjunction with heavy drinking. People with uncontrolled heartburn may also be at higher risk of developing esophageal cancer. In cases where a malignancy or perforation requires the removal of the whole esophagus, reconstruction is sometimes possible by pulling the stomach up into the chest.

Minimally-invasive procedures are revolutionizing surgery in almost all areas of the body, and thoracic surgery is no exception. Surgeons now utilize a thoracoscope, a specialized endoscope for examining the chest cavity, to treat collapsed lungs, do biopsies, to aid in doing major resections for lung cancer, and treat other problems.