Lung Nodule Program

Texoma Medical Center offers the technology and physician expertise to obtain lung biopsy tissue samples from deep within the lung to improve diagnosis and treatment opportunities for lung disease. Through our Lung Nodule Program, we perform robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for patients who have suspicious lung nodules using the Ion endoluminal system from Intuitive.

The Ion system features an ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable catheter that enables physicians to biopsy hard-to-reach nodules deep within the lung. Additional benefits of the minimally invasive technology include increased accuracy, fewer complications and quicker diagnosis and treatment.* This technology helps our pulmonologists find and biopsy lung lesions, as well leave a marker so that our vascular surgeon knows where to find the lesion for treatment.

Find out more about how the Ion system works →

Steps of the Lung Nodule Program

Screening is performed at TMC Advanced Medical Imaging to first determine if you are a candidate for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. If it is determined that this is the best course of action, the procedure is then scheduled and performed using the Ion system. The results of the biopsy are then analyzed and any further needed treatment is scheduled.

When Lung Biopsies Are Needed

Lung biopsies are sometimes necessary to help diagnose an abnormality found in the chest during a CT scan or chest X-ray. This could be lung cancer or other medical issue. The goal is to access these lesions early, because if we can diagnose cancer at stage one, we can significantly increase a patient’s chance of survival.

Biopsies are also used to diagnose conditions other than lung cancer, such as infections, inflammatory diseases and many other lung issues.

*Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if robotic surgery or minimally invasive surgery is right for you.