Q&A: Interventional pulmonology uses technology to diagnose, treat patients early

Key takeaways:

• Technological advances in pulmonology have helped clinicians promptly catch lung diseases.
• Mercy Medical Center recently launched an interventional pulmonology program.

Through the power of technology, interventional pulmonology has grown to become a major subspecialty that aids in early diagnosis and treatment of severe lung diseases, such as lung cancer.

This January, Mercy Medical Center launched an interventional pulmonology program and outpatient clinic within The Lung Center.

The clinic has access to advanced technologies, one of which is a robotic navigated bronchoscopy system that will help track possible cancerous nodules and lesions in patients, according to a press release.

To learn more about interventional pulmonology, the technologies used in the subspecialty and goals of the program at Mercy Medical Center, Healio spoke with Sy Sarkar, MD, interventional pulmonologist and director of interventional pulmonary services at Mercy Medical Center.

Healio: What is interventional pulmonology?

Sarkar: Interventional pulmonology is a subspecialty in pulmonary medicine whose goals are to offer minimally invasive procedures focusing on both advanced diagnostic and therapeutic treatments for patients with complex lung diseases. It is a technology-based discipline that provides care for patients with thoracic malignancy, anatomic airway disease and pleural disease.

At Mercy, we focus on prompt compassionate patient care while offering a wide range of services all within a multispecialty setting including thoracic surgery both in our outpatient and inpatient settings. Mercy offers a dedicated pulmonary nodule program, a pleural disease clinic, robust multisite lung cancer screening and improved community outreach.

Healio: What makes this department a valuable addition to The Lung Center at Mercy Medical Center?

Sarkar: Lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths nationwide, and unfortunately only 24% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage when the 5-year survival rate is at its highest (60%). By adding interventional pulmonology to our family of services here at Mercy, we are able to diagnose patients in their earliest stage and offer noninvasive therapeutic treatments, adding both years and quality to our patients’ lives.

Healio: What kinds of technologies does interventional pulmonology use?

Sarkar: Mercy’s interventional pulmonology program offers the first and only robotic assisted bronchoscopy with Tilt+ technology within the state of Maryland, known as Noah Medical’s Galaxy System. Mercy’s program also offers a wide array of therapeutic capabilities that include cryotherapy, argon plasma coagulation, electrocautery, balloon airway plasty, airway stenting and tumor debulking.

Healio: Specifically, could you provide some detail about the Galaxy system and what makes it so valuable?

Sarkar: The Galaxy system at Mercy is currently the first and only robotic-assisted bronchoscopy technology in the state of Maryland that allows our providers to reach the most peripheral portions of the lung and confirm both location of the lesion and biopsy tool in real-time. The Galaxy system features a proprietary integrated tomosynthesis (TiLT⁺ Technology) with augmented fluoroscopy that allows for this real-time viewing, a disposable single-use bronchoscope and a small, compact footprint that allows for easy integration into most bronchoscopy suites.

Healio: Could you describe the role and the value of collaboration in interventional pulmonology?

Sarkar: Interventional pulmonologists work closely with thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and general pulmonologists to provide patients with comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plans in order to deliver the best possible outcomes. Interventional pulmonology is involved in inpatient consultation as well as multidisciplinary boards to discuss patient care plans and offer services during key periods within a patient’s care journey.

Healio: How many patients do you expect to treat once the new department is open?

Sarkar: We hope to address our communities’ need for interventional pulmonary services. Our department involves several members and disciplines which include our providers, dedicated nurse navigator and surgical coordinator just to name a few. This allows our team to focus on providing compassionate prompt care for all of our patients. Additionally, with our newly built office and operating room spaces at Mercy, we have planned for growth as our demand also grows and as we continue to educate the community on the importance of early intervention.

Healio: Looking ahead, what are the department’s goals?

Sarkar: Interventional pulmonology has revolutionized the field of pulmonary medicine by providing clinicians with tools they need to perform the most advanced minimally invasive procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant and nonmalignant disorders of the lungs and airways. Our goal is to provide patient- and family-centered care that is timely and compassionate all while diagnosing and treating life-threatening lung disease in its earliest phases where it can have the biggest impact in our patients’ lives.

Reference:

• The Lung Center at Mercy introduces interventional pulmonology. https://www.newswise.com/articles/the-lung-center-at-mercy-introduces-interventional-pulmonology. Published Jan. 2, 2024. Accessed Jan. 4, 2024.