Lung & Cancer Surgeries

Lung Cancer & Lung Tumors

Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer and the No. 1 cause of cancer-related death in the U.S and in the world. Furthermore, many other types of cancer spread to the lungs, where tumors (also known as metastases) form. Fortunately for South Florida, Mount Sinai Medical Center has the most experienced team of thoracic surgeons and medical oncologists who specialize in innovative medical and surgical treatments. Our surgeons perform more lung procedures than any other program in the region.

Our multidisciplinary team of surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pulmonologists, and pathologists work together to rapidly diagnose and stage lung cancers and other cancers affecting the organs of the thorax. What’s more, our collaborative approach results in faster planning and reduces the time between diagnosis and treatment.

If surgery is appropriate, our thoracic surgeons will utilize the most advanced technology and surgical procedures to remove lung tumors and affected tissue. They use minimally invasive methods, including robotic-assisted surgery, which allows for greater precision and gives them access to structures and parts of the lung that could not be reached through other minimally invasive approaches. As a result, robotic-assisted lung surgeries at Mount Sinai produce better outcomes, along with other benefits, like shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, less pain, and lower risk of infection.

Commonly performed lung surgery procedures:

Wedge resection
Segmentectomy
Lobectomy
Pneumonectomy

Other Thoracic Cancer Surgeries

In addition to the surgeries for lung cancer and lung metastases, our thoracic surgeons operate to remove other types of cancers that affect the chest, foregut, and trachea.

Superior sulcus tumor (Pancoast tumor)

A Pancoast tumor is a rare form of lung cancer that grows at the apex, or top, of the lungs, affecting surrounding areas, including the chest wall, causing severe pain. As the tumor grows, it can cause swelling in the upper arm, tightness in the chest, loss of coordination, or tingling sensations in the hand. In some cases, Mount Sinai’s thoracic surgeons will remove a Pancoast tumor along with the part of the lung that is affected.

Thymic (carcinoma) tumor

A thymic tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in the thymus, a small gland in the upper chest under the breastbone. Tumors can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Your Mount Sinai surgeon will remove the tumor or any area of the thymus gland that is affected by the tumor.

Mesothelioma

This is a type of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium tissue, a protective membrane that covers the lungs, abdomen, and heart. At Mount Sinai, our thoracic surgeons methodically remove tumors within the mesothelium.

Chest wall tumor

These typically form in the surrounding muscles of the chest wall or as secondary growths from other types of cancer. At Mount Sinai, our surgeons can remove the portion of the affected chest wall that contains the tumor and proceed with complex reconstructions that may include titanium ribs and plate implants to reconstruct the chest wall and sternum.

Mediastinal tumor

These include a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors that can affect multiple organs in the chest. Mount Sinai’s highly skilled thoracic surgeons utilize minimally invasive techniques, including robotic-assisted surgery, to remove these tumors.

Esophageal cancer

This cancer affects the esophagus, or the “food pipe,” which connects the mouth to the stomach. Mount Sinai was the first hospital in South Florida to perform a completely robotic-assisted esophagectomy using a minimally invasive abdominal and thoracic approach. With this procedure, our surgeons use the robotic platform to remove the cancer along with a section of the esophagus and reconstruct the gastrointestinal tract with a gastric pull-up technique.