Our Program
Our experts at Keck Medicine of USC are leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the thoracic cavity, including the lungs, esophagus, stomach, mediastinum and chest wall. We are knowledgeable in all aspects of managing diseases of the chest and foregut, from complex surgeries to minimally invasive treatments.
We lead a well-recognized center for esophageal disorders that attracts patients from around the world as well as a multispecialty lung cancer program. We also have developed a pioneering program in robotic thoracic surgery that is unique to the region.
Our Approach
Our surgeons work closely with other specialists to ensure our patients get exceptional care. Our lung cancer surgeons are a part of multidisciplinary thoracic oncology and gastrointestinal oncology teams at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. This ensures that each patient gets a personal treatment plan, which helps us achieve better outcomes.
Our patients benefit from the latest medical technology, including diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that aren’t available at any other center in the region. Our thoracic surgeons are experts in robotic surgery, training surgeons from around the world. We are committed to using advanced minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, and we are experts at dealing with advanced-stage malignancy.
What is the role of surgery in lung cancer treatment?
During surgery, your surgeon works to remove the lung cancer and a portion of healthy tissue. Procedures to remove lung cancer include:
- Lobectomy — the removal of an entire lobe of one lung
- Pneumonectomy — the removal of an entire lung
- Segmental resection — the removal of a larger portion of lung but not an entire lobe
- Wedge resection — the removal of a small section of lung that contains the tumor, along with a margin of healthy tissue
Your surgeon may also remove lymph nodes from your chest, during surgery, in order to check them for signs of cancer.
Robotic surgery may be recommended for certain patients undergoing lung cancer treatment. This type of procedure is a minimally invasive option that often leads to smaller incisions (less than one inch), less pain and less need for medication, minimal scarring and reduced bleeding. People who undergo robotic surgery are also more likely to have a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery time.
Please visit cvti.keckmedicine.org to learn more about the CardioVascular Thoracic Institute at Keck Medicine of USC, and cancer.keckmedicine.org to learn more about the lung cancer program at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USC
USC Healthcare Center 2
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital