Chest and lung cancer care in Jacksonville
Chest and lung cancer care in Jacksonville
Oncologists and care teams at Ascension St. Vincent’s deliver compassionate, personalized lung cancer care
Comprehensive care for lung and chest cancer at Ascension St. Vincent’s
At Ascension St. Vincent's in Jacksonville, our experienced lung and chest cancer specialists are part of a national team of doctors, sharing best practices and advanced treatment options for lung cancer care, chest cancers and benign lung nodules — bringing the best of oncology to you, close to home.
When you choose Ascension St. Vincent's, you get a multidisciplinary team of providers that prioritize early, personalized treatment, including board-certified, fellowship-trained thoracic surgeons, pulmonary medicine specialists, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, a care navigator and a dedicated team of oncology nurses, dietitians and cancer specialists. Your oncology doctors and care team will deliver a customized care plan for your cancer from diagnosis through survivorship.
A team approach that helps navigate tests and support services
Along the way, your care may include imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, respiratory therapy, physical therapy or other specialty services — but you do not have to navigate your care alone. Upon your cancer diagnosis or when you come to us during your care, you’re paired with a cancer care navigator.
Stay connected with your lung cancer care team
Your care team will help you schedule appointments, connect you with other services and answer your questions. When you have a concern or feel unsure, don’t hesitate to talk with your providers and ask questions.
Conditions
There are several types of lung cancer, and they all have different treatment plans. Our specialists in Jacksonville treat many types of lung and chest cancers, including:
- Esophageal cancer
- Large cell lung cancer
- Lung carcinoid tumor
- Mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the tissue that lines many internal organs
- Metastatic lung cancer
- Non-cancerous lung nodules
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Small cell lung cancer
- Tracheal cancer
Lung screenings help detect cancer early
The first step is to find out if a low-dose CT lung screening is right for you. Talk with your doctor if you need help to stop smoking — they can help. We recommend annual low-dose CT screenings for:
- Smokers without symptoms and former smokers age 50 to 80 who have smoked 20 pack-years or more (this means one pack a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years, etc.) and either continue to smoke or have quit within the past 15 years
- Smokers without symptoms and former smokers outside the smoking and age criteria listed above who are deemed at high risk of developing lung cancer (risk factors can include family history of lung cancer, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and exposure to certain substances)
How we diagnose lung cancer
Your care team at Ascension St. Vincent’s 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. 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.
We offer imaging locations close to home — from dedicated low-dose CT lung screening to minimally invasive, image-guided lung biopsy.
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. 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 (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
If you want to learn more about other possible cancer care options, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.
Highly trained physical therapists deliver therapy to help manage any lymphedema symptoms, such as swelling and pain.
Advanced radiation therapy is used to target and destroy cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.
Your lung cancer care team provides support at every step, from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups, yoga and spiritual care. At Ascension St. Vincent's sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and your loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you. For more information, call 904-308-7546.
Get a second opinion
Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension St. Vincent's. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options.
When you’re facing a lung cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our lung cancer specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
Before your appointment, check with your health insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Meet our lung cancer team
Hearing the word “cancer” comes with a lot of thoughts and emotions, and we’re ready to support you. You'll meet with your doctor to discuss your diagnosis and care options. At Ascension St. Vincent’s, your care team may include:
- Pulmonary medicine specialists
- Thoracic surgeons
- Medical oncologists
- Oncology-certified nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians and social workers
- Oncology-certified pharmacists
- Palliative care specialists
- Radiation oncologists
- Radiologists
- Respiratory therapists
Together, we’ll decide on a care plan that’s right for you. Your entire care team will stay connected throughout your care to discuss your treatment and progress.
This service requires a referral
Please call 904-308-5864 to learn how to get a referral. If you are a provider referring a patient, call 904-308-5864.
Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent's Lung Institute - Southside
4203 Belfort Rd #108
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent's Lung Institute - Riverside
3 Shircliff Way #625
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent's Lung Institute - Clay
1658 St. Vincents Way #100
Middleburg, FL 32068
300 St Elizabeth Wy Suite 210,
St Johns, FL 32259
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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