Ion robot assisted procedure

Our lung specialists at Ascension Providence in Waco use robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to perform minimally invasive lung nodule biopsies

Early diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer in Waco

Our lung specialists at Ascension Providence in Waco use robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to perform minimally invasive lung nodule biopsies

Early diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer

At Ascension Providence, we offer a minimally invasive, leading-edge approach to biopsy lung tissue for lung cancer and other lung diseases.

The Ion Endoluminal System helps improve accuracy and precision when evaluating lung nodules, especially those that are small or difficult to reach.

New robotic-assisted technology: Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy

Lung nodules are common and may be found during a chest X-ray or lung CT scan. When further evaluation is needed, a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy allows your doctor to obtain a precise tissue sample.

With the Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscope, your doctor can remove a tissue sample as small as one centimeter. This new technology helps provide early detection of lung cancer and access more hard-to-reach areas that may have previously required CT scan-guided biopsies which can have significant complications.

During the procedure, your thoracic surgeon creates a 3D image-guided roadmap of the airways leading to the nodule. Using the robotic-assisted technology, your surgeon guides a catheter and Ion’s vision probe to deliver a real-time view of the airways while navigating to the target area. A flexible biopsy tool removes a tissue sample so it can be evaluated by a pathologist for cancer cells and staging. The Ion System has built-in flexibility to adjust as you breathe. These features help minimize complications.

How we diagnose lung cancer

Your care team at Ascension Providence focuses on identifying whether the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, where the tumor began and whether the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular studies to recognize lung cancer subtypes to create a care plan for your type of cancer.

To diagnose lung cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:

Chest X-rays use low doses of radiation to make images of your tissues, bones and organs, and are used to look for a tumor or cancer.

CT scans use X-rays and a computer to create 3D images of your body. A CT scan can show any part of your body, including bones, muscles, fat, blood vessels and organs.

Blood tests can give your doctor a lot of information. They can see if certain elements in your blood are in a normal range. But in many cases, blood tests are only part of the information your doctor needs to make a diagnosis of a health condition. The diagnostic blood test will confirm or rule out if you have a certain condition or type of cancer.

At Ascension Providence, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring your risk for developing lung cancer and other chest cancers.

Image-guided, endobronchial lung robotic assisted biopsies test and evaluate lung cells and help your doctor diagnose your condition and determine the stage of cancer utilizing state of the art technology, and other image guided biopsies.

We offer imaging locations close to home, from dedicated low-dose CT lung screening to minimally invasive, image-guided lung biopsy. We are an American College of Radiology (ACR) designated low-dose CT lung cancer screening center.

An MRI uses a strong magnet, radio waves and a computer to make detailed images of organs and other structures inside your body. MRIs are often used to look at the heart, brain, liver, pancreas, male and female reproductive organs, and other soft tissues. An MRI can show even small changes in tissues.

A PET scan is a type of nuclear medicine scan that can show differences in the activity of the tissues in your body. It uses a tiny amount of a radioactive substance attached to sugar. (This is called a radionuclide or a radiopharmaceutical or radioactive tracer.) The tracer is put into your blood. Over an hour or so, it collects in super-active cells, like cancer cells. Then a special scanner is used to see where the tracer has collected in your body.

PET and CT scans are often done together. This is called a PET/CT scan. It gives detailed images of the structure of your insides along with information about the activity of the cells and tissues.

How we treat lung cancer

Your treatment for chest and lung cancer may include medication, therapy or surgery.

Uses imaging guidance to perform minimally invasive procedures by opening blocked blood vessels to deliver targeted medication therapies for diagnosis and treatment.

Specially trained physical therapists deliver therapy to help manage lymphedema symptoms, such as swelling and pain.

Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups, yoga and spiritual care. At Ascension Providence sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and their loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you. Connecting patients with all the resources and support you need throughout your cancer care journey.

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts your body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. It uses substances that are either made in the body or in a lab to shrink tumors or slow tumor growth.

Our surgeons at Ascension Illinois specialize in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using smaller, more precise incisions to remove lung nodules and tumors.

Frequently asked questions about our cancer care services

Your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person — from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health to support for your family and caregivers. At Ascension Providence, we provide a wide array of cancer screenings, diagnostic tools and procedures, the latest surgical technologies and techniques and various support services. Our oncologists are part of a national team of cancer specialists sharing the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.

We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care team can connect you to a financial counselor.

At Ascension Providence hospital and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.

Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols, along with robotic technology for surgical care, to enhance your recovery efforts.