Lung Cancer Services

Experts at the University of Chicago Medical Center offer the full range of diagnostic and treatment options for patients with the two main types of lung cancer (small cell and non-small cell lung cancers) and other rare tumors of the lung. That’s one of the reasons why we are the highest-ranked cancer program in Illinois.

Better Tools for Detection

Our doctors have an array of effective tools to help diagnose lung cancer. For example, we offer low dose helical computed tomography, which can reveal small but suspicious lung nodules that don’t appear on plain chest X-rays.

One breakthrough in lung cancer detection is a new technology called the superdimension bronchus system. This minimally invasive diagnostic tool allows physicians to navigate through small, peripheral parts of the lungs to access lesions and collect tissue for biopsy--all without the need to use more invasive methods, such as surgery or needle biopsy. This sophisticated technology helps provide a more precise diagnosis and in some cases can help patients avoid surgery altogether. ABC7 News featured University of Chicago doctors and a patient in a story about the superdimension bronchus system. » Read the story

More than a decade after lung cancer surgery, Jeanie Dallas hasn't let up on her active lifestyle. »Read Jeanie's story

Staging the cancer is also important for doctors to make treatment recommendations. At the University of Chicago Medical Center, doctors use the latest computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and other tests to determine the stage of the disease.

Comprehensive Treatment

Thanks to ongoing medical innovations, people with lung cancer now have many promising treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

At the University of Chicago, our surgeons work with our nationally recognized medical oncologists to help target lung cancer and lessen symptoms, such as breathing problems. Our approach is always focused on maintaining the best possible outcomes for patients.

View lung cancer video presentations by thoracic surgeon Mark Ferguson, MD, and other UCMC experts.

Surgery

Surgery remains one of the main treatment options for lung cancer. Our surgeons provide state-of-the-art treatments, and always try to spare as much healthy lung tissue as possible. For example, a minimally invasive procedure called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) may be an option for certain patients with early stage lung cancer. In VATS, surgeons place a tiny video camera inside the chest cavity to view the tumor and remove the tumor using small incisions. Patients experience less pain and a much shorter hospital stay than in traditional open surgery.

Radiation

Different patients need different treatment approaches. How our radiation oncologists use radiation therapy to treat lung cancer varies greatly by patient. For some patients, radiation may be used to help cure a tumor. In others, its role may be to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer.

The University of Chicago Medical Center offers state-of-the-art radiation therapies including:

• Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), a new, highly precise form of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, which uses computers and multiple beams to “shape” radiation to the treatment area. IMRT also helps "turn up" the radiation dose on tumor areas while excluding sensitive, healthy tissue.
• Interstitial brachytherapy, which involves implanting tiny radioactive seeds directly into the lung tumor. These seeds remain in the tumor for a while and can target tumor cells in various stages of growth.

Chemotherapy

More than ever before, chemotherapy plays an important role in lung cancer treatment. That’s because new medicines are proving more effective against lung tumors--and are also gentler on the body, since they cause fewer side effects. For example, our medical oncologists are using therapies that target cancer at the molecular level to achieve the best possible outcome for patients.

For some types of lung cancer, our doctors may combine chemotherapy with radiation to offer better and longer remissions. This is especially true for patients with stage III disease or locally advanced lung cancer.

Groundbreaking Research

The University of Chicago has an active phase II clinical trials network, and is involved in phase I trials to test new drugs for lung cancer. This means we can offer promising drugs to patients who may not benefit from existing medicines.

For example, doctors at the University of Chicago are studying drugs that slow blood vessel formation by a tumor. These drugs are thought to slow tumor growth. Currently, clinical trials at the University of Chicago are tracking how well these drugs might work with chemotherapy medicines to treat lung cancer.

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