Minimally invasive lung cancer

At Ascension Seton in Austin, Texas, our lung specialists utilize advanced technology for minimally invasive lung nodule biopsies.

Early diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer at Ascension Seton

At Ascension Seton in Austin, Texas, our lung specialists use advanced technology for minimally invasive lung nodule biopsies

Detecting lung cancer nodules with advanced technology

Lung nodules are common findings on chest imaging and can sometimes indicate cancer. When a nodule changes, our Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscope offers a less invasive approach for precise tissue sampling.

This technology creates a 3D, image-guided roadmap of your airways, allowing your surgeon to navigate a flexible catheter with a high-definition camera directly to very small (as small as four mm) and hard-to-reach nodules. Real-time visualization allows your doctor to target nodules with specialized tools to collect tissue samples for testing.

Advantages of robotic-assisted procedures to diagnose lung cancer

Compared to traditional CT-guided biopsies, robotic-assisted surgery may support faster diagnosis and staging, is less invasive and is associated with fewer complications.

Comprehensive lung cancer care in Austin

Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is one component of the comprehensive care provided by our lung cancer specialists at Ascension Seton.

Our multidisciplinary team includes pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, nurse navigators and rehabilitation therapists who collaborate to develop and update personalized care plans based on national guidelines and advanced treatment options.

Find a pulmonologist in Austin

How we diagnose lung cancer

Your care team at Ascension Seton focuses on identifying whether the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, understanding 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.

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 provide your doctor with a lot of information. They can detect if certain elements in your blood are within a normal range. But in many cases, blood tests are only part of the information your doctor needs to diagnose a health condition. Blood tests help provide information to support a diagnosis but are typically used alongside other tests

If you’re considered high-risk or have a family history of cancer, your doctor may recommend cancer genetic screening, testing and counseling to help better understand your risk for developing cancer.

At Ascension Seton, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring an individual’s risk for developing lung cancer and other chest cancers.

Lung biopsy tests evaluate lung cells and help your doctor diagnose your condition and determine the stage of cancer.

We offer imaging locations close to home — from dedicated low-dose CT lung screening to minimally invasive, image-guided lung biopsy.

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. 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.

Treating lung cancer

Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment for chest and lung cancer may include medication, therapy or surgery.

Chemotherapy (or chemo) uses medications that travel through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells

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

Uses high-energy beams (called photons) or charged particles to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing

Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups, yoga and spiritual care. At Ascension Seton 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.

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 Seton specialize in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using smaller, more precise incisions to remove lung nodules and tumors.

Frequently asked questions about our lung 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. At Ascension Seton, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. When you choose Ascension Seton, you get a national team of experienced cancer specialists, sharing best practices and the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.

At Ascension Seton, we provide many primary and advanced treatments for lung cancer, esophageal cancer and chest cancers, including:

Chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer
ION robotic bronchoscopy for staging and lung cancer management
Immunotherapy and targeted genomic drug therapy
Lung resection surgery
Radiation therapy — Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy and abstract radiation therapy
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)

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 Seton cancer center 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 to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.