Thoracic Surgical Oncology

Embark on a journey through the intricate landscape of thoracic surgical oncology, where skilled surgeons address the challenges posed by various types and stages of thoracic cancers with precision and expertise. From the silent threat of lung cancer to the complexities of esophageal cancer, each condition presents its unique challenges to be addressed with care.

• Lung Cancer: Affects the lungs, with treatment options including surgery (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, or segmentectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy (external beam or stereotactic body radiation therapy), targeted therapy (such as EGFR inhibitors or ALK inhibitors), immunotherapy (such as checkpoint inhibitors), and sometimes photodynamic therapy or radiofrequency ablation, depending on the tumor's histology, stage, and genetic profile.
• Esophageal Cancer: Affects the esophagus, with treatment options including surgery (esophagectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy (often combined with chemotherapy), targeted therapy (such as HER2 inhibitors or EGFR inhibitors), immunotherapy (such as checkpoint inhibitors), and sometimes brachytherapy or endoscopic mucosal resection, depending on the tumor's location, stage, and histology.
• Mediastinal Tumors: Affect the mediastinum, with treatment options including surgery (mediastinoscopy, mediastinotomy, or thoracotomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy (such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors), and sometimes immunotherapy or multimodality therapy, depending on the tumor's histology, location, and involvement of adjacent structures.
• Pleural Mesothelioma: Affects the pleura, with treatment options including surgery (pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy), chemotherapy (often with pemetrexed and cisplatin), radiation therapy (often combined with surgery or chemotherapy), targeted therapy (such as VEGF inhibitors or PD-1 inhibitors), and sometimes immunotherapy or heated intrapleural chemotherapy (HIPEC), depending on the tumor's extent, histology, and patient's overall health.
• Chest Wall Tumors: Affect the chest wall, with treatment options including surgery (wide local excision, chest wall resection, or rib resection), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy (such as mTOR inhibitors or CDK4/6 inhibitors), and sometimes immunotherapy or reconstructive surgery, depending on the tumor's size, location, and involvement of adjacent structures.