Spectrum Health Physicians Use New Minimally Invasive Technology to Diagnose Lung Cancer and Other Diseases in the Chest

Lung Mass and Cancer Clinic Tracks Diagnosis and Treatment for Patients

Spectrum Health announces that it is now using a new minimally invasive procedure called endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) to diagnose lung cancer and other diseases in the chest. The state-of-the-art technology allows physicians to make these diagnoses without conventional surgery.

“Facing a diagnosis of lung cancer or another disease in the chest area can be very stressful for patients,” said Glenn VanOtteren, MD, pulmonologist, mmpc, a member of Spectrum Health. “By offering patients the EBUS technology, I can deliver better, efficient and less invasive care to help determine what is causing their clinical symptoms.”

EBUS allows physicians to perform a technique called transbronchial needle aspiration to obtain tissue and/or fluid samples from the lungs and surrounding lymph nodes. The samples help to diagnose and stage lung cancer, and can also be useful in identifying nonmalignant processes, such as infections within the lungs. Using live ultrasound images, the physician inserts a bronchoscope through the nose or mouth and is able to guide a needle through the wall of the trachea into the area of abnormality with precise, real-time localization. No incisions are necessary.

“This is one more advanced tool we now have as part of the Lung Mass and Cancer Multispecialty Clinic at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion,” said VanOtteren. “Our goal is to diagnose and initiate treatment on our patients within a few days, thereby ensuring less waiting time and associated anxiety. This ultimately helps them get on the road to a better quality of life.”

Here’s how the Lung Mass and Cancer Multispecialty Clinic works:

Lung Cancer Diagnostic Appointment

The first appointment is geared toward patients who have an abnormality such as a lung mass or lung nodule that requires additional testing to reach a diagnosis. The appointment includes:

Examination by a pulmonologist
Review of current radiology studies (CT scan, chest X-ray) by a radiologist
Team meeting with a pulmonologist, radiologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and a thoracic surgeon to determine if other tests are needed to arrive at an accurate diagnosis
Schedule additional required tests or studies
Often, an initial diagnosis study can take place that same day

The goal is to have all tests completed within a few days of the appointment so patients can return the following week for results and treatment planning, if necessary.

Cancer Treatment Planning Appointment

This appointment is for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer. Physician specialists meet to determine the best treatment plan based on the results of the diagnostic tests. The physicians then meet with the patient to outline and discuss the many options available at Spectrum Health, including advanced surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, laser ablation and investigative therapies.

Cancer Experts on Your Team

The team’s participating physicians represent six or more medical specialties. Each doctor brings unique knowledge and experience to the process, and they work as a team, sharing information and ideas. As a result, patients can feel confident in the recommendations they receive.
Participating specialists include:

Medical oncologist
Pathologist
Pulmonologist
Radiation oncologist
Research coordinator
Radiologist
Thoracic surgeon

Lung Cancer Multispecialty Clinic Contact Information

The Lung Mass and Cancer Multispecialty Clinic team meets weekly. Appointments can be scheduled by the patient or referring physician. For scheduling and more information, call 616.486.5993.

Lung Mass and Cancer Multispecialty Clinic
Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion
145 Michigan St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, a collection of eight hospitals and more than 170 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group, mmpc® and West Michigan Heart—physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health’s 16,700 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,350 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.