Chest and lung cancer care in Jacksonville

Oncologists and care teams at Ascension St. Vincent’s deliver compassionate, personalized lung cancer care.

Chest and lung cancer care in Jacksonville

Oncologists and care teams at Ascension St. Vincent’s deliver compassionate, personalized lung cancer care

  • SCHEDULE LUNG SCREENING: 904-308-LUNG (5864)

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)

SCHEDULE A LUNG SCREENING – 904-308-5864

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.

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 St. Vincent’s, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring your risk for developing lung cancer and other chest cancers.

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

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

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. 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

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.

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.

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

Medical oncologists work with your surgeon to deliver advanced care (chemotherapy and targeted immunotherapy) to help stop cancer spread.

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.

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

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.

 
GET A SECOND OPINION

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

Ascension St. Vincent’s Lung Institute — St. Johns County
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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