UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ajay Wagh, MD; Kathy Conner, BSN; Kyle Hogarth, MD; Septimiu Murgu, MD
Our interventional pulmonology and advanced bronchoscopy specialists, pictured here, are part of our greater team of experts who focus on diagnosing lung cancer. From left to right: Ajay Wagh, MD; Kathy Conner, BSN; Kyle Hogarth, MD; and Septimiu Murgu, MD.

Determining the specific type of lung cancer — and its stage — helps the care team plan the most effective treatment approach. Our lung cancer specialists use a variety of tools and techniques to diagnose lung cancer, including:

  • Dual-energy chest X-rays can find tumors that may be hidden behind bones when viewed in traditional X-rays.
  • Computed tomography (CT), using the latest and most advanced scanners, we create hundreds of one-millimeter-thin “pictures” inside the chest to reveal very small lung cancers. This is done with less radiation than older models of CT scanners. We also use sophisticated Artificial Intelligence software to help the radiologist detect several diseases in their earliest stages.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) looks at the metabolism of the tissue. This is important because cancer cells use sugar, or metabolize, faster than normal cells. PET can be particularly helpful when staging cancer to see if it has spread.
  • Robotic bronchoscopy, using a 3D roadmap of the patient’s lungs developed from a CT scan, our interventional pulmonologists use sophisticated robotic bronchoscopes passed through the mouth to reach into parts of the lungs not accessible with previous technology. The flexible endoscopes are equipped with cameras and small tools that allow physicians to reach lung nodules and masses to collect tissue samples for testing. If cancer is confirmed, physicians can examine nearby lymph nodes to stage the cancer during the same procedure, avoiding the need for multiple procedures. Bronchoscopy is an outpatient procedure that involves no cutting.
  • Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), stages lung cancer without the need for surgery. Now through a simple outpatient procedure, all the lymph nodes can be sampled to prove whether or not cancer has spread. This also allows doctors to resample known cancers in a safe and simple way to evaluate for mutations that could be treated with targeted chemotherapies.
  • Tissue samples taken during a biopsy procedure are sent to our pathologists who specialize in studying and analyzing cells under a microscope to determine the presence of lung cancer. Analysis of the type and stage of lung cancer assists the care team in choosing the best treatment approach for each patient.
  • Genetic testing is done to screen for genetic changes, or mutations, which can drive a cell to become cancerous or cause cancer to spread. Our molecular pathology lab searches across more than 1,000 genes to screen for mutations. The most common mutations related to lung cancer are seen in the genes EGFR, KRAS and ALK. By including this important diagnostic step, therapy can then be matched, or targeted to, the specific genetic changes in each tumor. Only a few centers in the country offer this type of personalized medicine for non-small cell lung cancer.

 

Sampling and Evaluating Lung Nodules and Masses: Expert Q&A

Pulmonologists D. Kyle Hogarth, MD, and Ajay Wagh, MD, talk about different ways physicians can detect and diagnose lung nodules and masses, including advanced bronchoscopy techniques that do not require incisions or surgery.

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for lung cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.