CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital celebrates 100th procedure for lung cancer detection

CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler is proud to announce the 100th successful procedure using the Intuitive Ion Robotic Bronchoscope, the newest state-of-the-art system for early detection of lung cancer.

The minimally invasive procedure allows physicians to get more precise biopsies of masses that were not previously accessible by traditional procedures while also minimizing the risks.

“Time is everything when it comes to a diagnosis. The longer the delay, the worse the outcomes tend to be,” said Dr. Amaya Skabelund, pulmonologist at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. “The Ion technology has allowed us to reach places that we never have before, allowing patients to get an earlier diagnosis, thus leading to far better outcomes.”

During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through the patient’s mouth and throat, entering their lungs. The minimally invasive approach reduces the chances of complications.

The catheter holds its place next to the nodule while a system needle obtains the tissue sample. After the biopsy, the tissue sample is sent to a pathologist to assess cancer cells, and results are provided to the surgical team within minutes.

Skabelund said most Ion procedures take less than 15 minutes, allowing more patients to be seen.

“This technology has allowed us to diagnose cancer at an unbelievably early stage compared to more traditional methods in the past,” Skabelund said. “There used to be a ‘wait and watch’ method to lung cancer, as we did not have the technology to do what we can do now. There is no waiting or watching. Now we see it and we go get it.”

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. Lung cancer is also the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for about one in five of all deaths.