Early-Stage Lung Cancer Detection with New Ion Robotic Technology

Trinity Health physicians now have state-of-the-art lung cancer detection technology — robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for peripheral lung biopsy. People who may have lung cancer can get a confirmed diagnosis earlier, leading to prompt care and improved survivability.

Trinity Health Medical Group pulmonologists, Scott Hagedorn, MD, and David Heger, DO, led efforts to bring this “latest and best-available technology” to West Michigan and the lakeshore.

“Historically, lung cancer has been and still is the number one cancer killer because it often goes undetected and doesn’t provide symptoms until it’s too late,” said Dr. Hagedorn. “Until now, suspicious spots in the periphery of the lung were often too difficult to reach and biopsy.”

“We kept finding spots in lungs that we couldn’t do much about,” said Dr. Heger. “We did not have the technology to biopsy these spots to prove whether or not they were cancerous.”

Dr. Hagedorn and Dr. Heger can now attack small nodules (growths) that are in the periphery (outside edge) of the lung and do so with safety, accuracy and with precision.

“I’m also excited to tell patients that the spot on their lung is not actually cancer, but an inflammation, infection, or something else, which is gratifying to us,” said Dr. Hagedorn.

Thanks to the bronchoscopy equipment’s imaging technology, the Ion Robot can make fine-tune adjustments as it navigates through the lung.

“We map out the procedure in advance and the robot advises us. We use that map as we go down through the tight turns and curves of the lung and get out to the periphery,” said Dr. Hagedorn.

In addition, an integrated intra-procedural real time 3D fluoroscopic imaging system called Cios Spin enhances visualization. “This helps give us an updated road map, which is very beneficial and increases diagnostic precision and safety.”

Early detection + early diagnosis = increase lung cancer survival

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death — more than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.

In describing the earliest stage of lung cancer, Stage 1, Dr. Heger said, “You are looking at upwards of a 5-year survival rate of 90% for someone with pure Stage 1 small spot in their lungs if you can diagnose it and treat it appropriately with surgery.”

“For every four weeks that treatment is delayed, there is an increased chance of upstaging. That is when you really start to see survival rates for patients start to drop, at Stage 2, and definitely at Stage 3,” he said.

“Sixty percent of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, typically Stage 3,” said Dr. Hagedorn. “We need to get that down, which is a big reason we have this technology at our hospital — to make an impact on that. Survival rates for Stage 3 are in the 30% range. Stage 4 is non-curable; treatment is purely palliative.”

Breathe a little easier!

Annual lung screening is recommended for those at high risk for lung cancer. Screenings can find lung cancer at an early stage when the chances for treatment success are much better.

Have a lung cancer screening if you are:

• A current smoker OR a former smoker who has quit in the past 15 years

AND you have or had a smoking history of at least “20 pack years”, defined as:

• One pack a day for 20 years OR
• Two packs a day for 10 years

With a lung cancer screening at Trinity Health, you’ll receive a low-dose CT of the chest. The exam is quick and painless. No medications, no needles. All you need to do is hold your breath for six seconds.

“We're very fortunate to have access to this amazing technology, and we’re excited to see the impact it has on the care of our patients,” said Dr. Arwa Hosni, Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital.

If the screening shows small lung nodules, or growths, you will be referred to the lung nodule clinic for a possible Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to determine if the nodules are cancerous or not.

Learn more about Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy and our Lung CT program.

If you (or a loved one) are a current or former smoker, it's important to know your risk of developing lung cancer. Select your location to take the next step on your lung screening journey.

West Michigan Southeast Michigan