Thoracic Cancer Program

A complete team of thoracic cancer specialists

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the United States. Lung cancer kills more people than colon, prostate and breast cancers combined. The Thoracic Cancer Program team at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin has the expertise and resources to respond aggressively to lung cancer and other chest cavity tumors. For patients, comprehensive care means the best chance of survival.

Comprehensive Expertise

People with lung cancer, esophageal cancer or other cancers of the chest cavity usually need several different types of treatment. The Thoracic Cancer Program includes a complete team of specialist physicians with expertise in every treatment option. These physicians work closely to make sure every patient receives fully coordinated care that offers the best chance for survival.

The Hub Model

The Clinical Cancer Center's hub model builds the entire care experience around patients. Dedicated program coordinators answer questions, address concerns, coordinate treatment and help you along in your journey.

The team includes:

Board-certified thoracic surgeons
Specialists in radiation oncology and medical oncology with extensive experience treating thoracic tumors
A pulmonologist who assesses the general pulmonary condition of patients before and after treatment, takes care of co-existing lung diseases while patients undergo cancer treatment, and monitors patients who are at risk for lung cancer
Nurse practitioners and physicians assistants who specialize in managing thoracic cancer care
A clinic nurse who specializes in thoracic cancers and works with all providers in the team
A journey coordinator and nurse coordinator who help guide patients and make sure they receive all the services and support they need
Clinic staff, including technicians and front desk staff
Other support services through the Jeffrey C. Siegel Quality of Life Center

Learn more about the Thoracic Cancer Program's exceptional staff.

Facts About Thoracic Cancers

There are more than 213,000 new case of lung cancer diagnosed each year in the US. Overall, men in the United States have a 1 in 13 chance of developing lung cancer during their lifetimes. For women, the probability is 1 in 16. Individual risk of lung cancer is increased significantly by smoking.

Where to Go

Patients in the Thoracic Cancer Program see all their team physicians and nurses in the "Courage" quadrant of the Clinical Cancer Center.

Thoracic cancers include:

Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Mesothelioma: Cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen, caused by inhalation of asbestos or radon.
Mediastinal tumors: Rare cancers that develop in the chest cavity in the area between the lungs.
Esophageal cancer: More than 15,000 new cases of cancer of the esophagus are diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

At this time there are no screening tests for lung cancer. Lung cancer typically doesn't cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer most often occur when the disease is more advanced. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:

A new cough that doesn't go away
Changes in a chronic cough or "smoker's cough"
Coughing up blood, even a small amount
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Wheezing
Hoarseness

Treatment for lung cancer is based on many things including your overall health, the type and stage of your cancer, your doctors recommendations and your preferences.

Non small cell lung cancer treatment

Early-stage lung cancer is typically treated with surgical removal of the tumor, possibly followed by radiation and chemotherapy. For later-stage lung cancers radiation and chemotherapy are the main treatments. Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is usually treated with chemotherapy.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Limited stage small cell lung cancer is mainly treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Extensive stage disease is treated with chemotherapy.

Esophageal Cancer Treatment

Esophageal cancer treatment depends on the type, location and stage of cancer as well as on age, overall health and personal preferences. Patients with early-stage esophageal cancer typically receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink the tumor as much as possible before surgery. Certain recurring esophageal cancers can be treated with photodynamic therapy.

An active participant in national cancer research, the Thoracic Cancer Program provides many patients with access to new therapies through clinical trials. These clinical trials include studies to evaluate the latest chemotherapies for lung cancer.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

VATS provides a minimally invasive approach to lung cancer surgery. Unlike traditional open chest surgery that involves a large incision, VATS technology enables surgeons to view and operate on the lungs through a few small incisions. The benefits to the patient are faster recovery and less post-operative pain.

The thoracic surgeons in the Thoracic Cancer Program use VATS for the full range of lung procedures:

Basic procedures like partial lung removal (wedge resection), fluid drainage and procedures to prevent fluid buildup (pleurodesis).
Advanced lung cancer surgeries such as the removal of an entire lobe of the lung (lobectomy)

Robotic Surgery

Some thoracic cancer patients are eligible for robotic surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System. The da Vinci system is a surgeon-controlled, minimally invasive instrument with additional capabilities for manipulating and viewing tissue.

Many patients with mediastinal tumors are good candidates for robotic surgery. Like other minimally invasive techniques, robotic surgery offers patients the possibility of a faster return to normal life.

Learn more about the innovative options offered by our Thoracic Surgery program.

Image-Guided Therapy

Several treatments available at the Clinical Cancer Center use imaging equipment and innovative technology to target and kill thoracic malignancies:

Radiofrequency ablation: A minimally invasive needle electrode "bakes" the tumor with a high-frequency current.
Cryoablation: A special probe is guided into a tumor, then super-cooled to freeze and kill the cancer cells.
Stereotactic radiation: Several radiotherapy technologies are available that deliver a very high radiation dose to a tightly confined area.