Doctors say it’s preferable to stop this cancer in its early stages.
Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County residents have some of the highest risks for lung cancer in the country, but there is a way to stop it in its early stages. Dr. Maurice Smith, a Thoracic Surgeon and Medical Director for Chest Surgery with Frederick Health Medical Group, says the local hospital has a new, 3D, technology that can detect a cancerous lesion in the lungs the size of an apple seed. That can help the surgeon in trying to remove it.
“We have the ability to actually to see our tools in the lesion itself because of something called 3D coloscopy. So it makes it real time No virtual imaging. And we’re getting diagnosis rates as high as 98 percent so we’re incredibly happy with that,” says Dr. Smith.
In the past, he says, patients had to undergo a biopsy through their ribs while they were awake, and the size of the lesion had to be big enough so that surgeons cold get at it. “We have a way where patients are asleep. They’re comfortable They don’t feel anything. But this technology allows is to navigate anywhere in the lung, anywhere the spot is. And we’re getting to spots as little a Cherrio size and some ever smaller to get a diagnosis from these patients,” says Dr. Smith.
If the lesion is removed and it’s early stage lung cancer, Dr. Smith says there’s no chemotherapy and no radiation for the patient after surgery; just follow up.
In past years, cancer patients in Frederick County had to travel out of the area to get these medical services. But Dr. Smith says they’re now available locally. “Beautiful part of Frederick is we have all the technology that all the big centers have. But people are allowed to get day care at home,” he says. “So we are able to get these biopsies early with the ION and the coloscopies. Then once we get cancer, we give patients these small incisions quickly covering operations and no need for chemo or radiation.”
Frederick Health Hospital says Frederick County residents face some of highest risks for lung cancer, and not all of it is due to smoking. “What we’re also realizing is that at least the newest data is 20 percent of the new cancers are patients that are not smokers,” says Dr. Smith. “Especially, in this area, even a bit higher. And the reason that is we know radon is a big exposure in term of cancer, and, unfortunately, we sit on a radon hot bed.”
FHH says lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths with more than 130,000 deaths expected by the end of 2025. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, and the leading cause for non-smokers.
The hospital says it’s a good idea to get a periodic screening for lung cancer. “Lung cancer screening is paid for by all insurance for patients who are considered higher risk,”: says Dr. Smith “Those patients who are age 50 to 80. They have a 20-pack year smoking. What that means is you multiply how man packs a day you smoke, and how many years you smoked.,”
“For those who don’t quality, I tell people pay attention to your senses,” he says.. “If you’re having a cold that isn’t going away like it should; if you’re having a cough or just not feeling well, definitely tying into your provider who will more than likely get a CT that will help them identify these things early.”
By Kevin McManus