Advanced surgical care for lung disease, including COPD
Understanding why you have a nagging cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain is important for your lung health. At Ascension St. Vincent in Anderson, Indiana, our thoracic surgeons provide advanced surgical care for lung, heart and chest conditions. We listen to understand you and your health concerns. Then, we work with you to create a care plan that’s right for you.
Symptoms of lung disease often include difficulty breathing and a persistent, unproductive cough. If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk with a lung specialist. To help diagnose and treat lung conditions, thoracic surgeons perform minimally invasive lung biopsies and remove tumors and airway obstructions affecting your lungs, esophagus and chest. Your thoracic surgeon is part of our multispecialty heart, cancer care, and trauma injury care teams specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions, including:
- Chest wall deformity
- Chronic heartburn (GERD)
- Esophageal and lung cancers
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Hiatal hernia
- Lung masses and nodules
- Pulmonary conditions, including COPD and emphysema
- Trouble swallowing
- Tumors, mediastinal and thymus gland
- Vascular disorders, such as aortic aneurysm
Minimally invasive lung and airway tests are available using robotic-assisted, image-guided technology and include: Bronchoscopy Endobronchial ultrasound biopsy Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)
Specialty care for esophageal and lung cancers
Our thoracic surgeons work with cardiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists and your primary care doctor to deliver compassionate, personalized cancer care. We provide esophageal and lung cancer screening tests. And our doctors are also involved in clinical cancer trials. To learn more about how to participate in a clinical trial, talk to our surgeon and cancer clinical trial coordinator.
Getting a second opinion from a thoracic surgeon
There’s a lot to think about when you’re dealing with a cancer diagnosis or chest disorder and you’re deciding on a treatment plan. Getting a second opinion not only provides more information about your condition but it may also increase your confidence in your care plan.