St. Peter's Health Partners adds robotic bronchoscopy for lung cancer
St. Peter's Health Partners announced the acquisition of robot technology that allows earlier detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. ALBANY, N. Y. (WNYT)- St. Peter’s Health Partners says it has begun using a. . .
St. Peter's Health Partners announced the acquisition of robot technology that allows earlier detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. ALBANY, N. Y. (WNYT)- St. Peter’s Health Partners says it has begun using a robotic bronchoscopy system aimed at finding early-stage lung cancer sooner and with greater precision. According to St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP), doctors performed the health system’s first robotic bronchoscopies at Samaritan Hospital on June 12. SPHP said director of advanced bronchoscopy Dr. Joseph Seguel worked with Dr. Hau Chieng of Pulmonary & Critical Care Services and Dr. Tracey Weigel of Albany Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery. “Early-stage lung cancers are small and difficult to reach,” said Dr. Seguel. “That’s because more than 70% of cancerous lung nodules are found in the peripheral lung. This area is full of tight spaces and narrow airways that are hard to reliably access through conventional methods. This system changes that. It allows us to reach every segment of the lung with superior precision. ”SPHP said the catheter-based system uses CT scans to build a 3D map of the lungs and guide an ultrathin catheter to nodules. The release said the catheter uses a fiber optic sensor that provides hundreds of measurements per second during navigation and biopsy. “The catheter and probe give us a real-time view of the airways, delivering precise location, shape and orientation information throughout the entire navigation and biopsy process,” said Dr. Weigel. “Compared to traditional CT-guided lung biopsies, this technology is faster, less invasive, and leads to significantly fewer side effects — supporting a better quality of life for our patients. ”SPHP said lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally and that early stages often have no noticeable symptoms. The health system said earlier detection and diagnosis are critical for treatment. “When it comes to detecting and treating lung cancer, time matters,” said Dr. Nicholas Montalto. “At St. Peter’s Health Partners, our Mission calls us to be a transforming healing presence in the communities we serve. By introducing advanced robotic bronchoscopy technology, we’re expanding access to leading-edge diagnostics, helping patients receive answers sooner, begin treatment sooner, and doing it closer to home. ”SPHP said its Cancer Care Center has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as a Comprehensive, Community-based Cancer Care Program since 1985. The health system said the program operates at St. Peter’s and Samaritan hospitals and is affiliated with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. For Related Stories:St. Peter's Health PartnersSamaritan Hospitalrobotic bronchoscopiesHealth Report