April 27, 2023
The CDC reports lung cancer to be the third most common cancer in the U.S. More people in the U.S. die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. Acceptance of the complexity of the disease and the ability to diagnose it have improved in recent years — transforming the care pathways available to patients with lung cancer.
"I don't think lung cancer has quite the stigma it had decades ago," says Jonathan D'Cunha, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, with special interest in thoracic oncology. "The same lifestyle factors that influence conditions such as heart disease contribute to lung cancer, so there's no need for either to carry a stigma."
Dr. D'Cunha explains that this change and recognition of the extent of the health problem has led to opportunities for screening and earlier detection — both factors that ultimately impact survival.
Multidisciplinary care teams provide individualized options for patients
Dr. D'Cunha works alongside colleagues with expertise in pulmonology, radiology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, pathology and thoracic oncology when treating patients with lung cancer. The multidisciplinary approach is sustained by experts and support staff, all of whom are specialty trained in treating lung cancer.
The cohesive, team approach to care helps patients move expeditiously through the system and get access to care that makes sense on an individualized level. Every patient is different, and even a patient's own nuances in care can lead to differences in treatment requirements.
"Sometimes people have two or three lesions," says Dr. D'Cunha. "We may operate on one but radiate another. Our multidisciplinary care team allows us to do that."
Mayo Clinic's team of specialized experts focuses on the most complex patients, which benefits all patients regardless of the complexity of their care. Patients with advanced disease, complex tumor location and multiple comorbidities have access to the specific resources needed for their care plans.
Research and advancements in lung cancer care
Many of the recent advancements in lung cancer care bring a modern approach to each patient's care plan. With minimally invasive tools and robotic surgical options, patients have access to better outcomes and a quicker recovery process. Patients are able to get back to work and to achieve their recovery goals sooner.
Advancements in pain control also have transformed the recovery experience. Liposomal nerve blocks and cryoablation of the intercostal nerves enhance patients' quicker recovery following surgery.
"These are transformative leaps in the way patients recover from surgery," says Dr. D'Cunha. "We can get them back to everyday life and even onto additional treatment sooner if needed."
In many cases, patients are eligible for lung-sparing surgeries as well. Total lobectomies are reserved for patients with complex tumors that are more centrally located or too large to spare the lung. In some cases, patients can receive systemic, neoadjuvant therapy preoperatively, making surgery a viable option.
Dr. D'Cunha points out that many of these advancements have come through clinical trials available to patients at Mayo Clinic. Others, though, are simply transformations brought about by the multidisciplinary nature of the modern care team. Experts at Mayo Clinic discuss and share their experiences, rapidly bringing innovation into clinical practice.
Early detection and interception
As is true with all cancers, when lung cancer is detected early, it affords better possible outcomes. Screening trials recently have started identifying patients who are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. At Mayo Clinic, these high-risk patients are seen within nodule clinics that focus on intercepting lung cancer as early as possible.
"It's particularly important here in the desert Southwest," says Dr. D'Cunha. "Not all lung nodules end up being cancer. Programs like this increase awareness for patients so that they know of the numerous treatment options that exist."
At the nodule clinics, patients receive scans on a regular basis and experts track any detected nodules. This ongoing relationship allows the care team to advise on worrisome nodules for risk of cancer or other pulmonary conditions.
Increased awareness of the availability of lung cancer care is an ongoing focus of Dr. D'Cunha and his colleagues at Mayo Clinic. The team is focused on access to care now more than ever with in-person and remote care options that break down barriers patients face each day.
For more information
Refer a patient to Mayo Clinic.