Thoracic Surgery & Interventional Procedures

Expert Thoracic Cancer Treatment

The Lung and Thoracic Cancer Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is known across the country for our excellence in care. Our thoracic surgeons offer the latest in research-backed surgical options for thoracic and lung cancers.

Thoracic & Lung Cancer Surgery

Our BIDMC thoracic surgeons are board-certified, an indicator that we offer you the best quality outcome. We perform a high volume of surgical procedures to diagnose and treat lung, chest and esophageal cancers. When possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques that have many benefits to you over traditional, open surgery. 

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Typically, surgery to treat cancer is most effective for early-stage tumors, before the cancer has spread. Thoracic surgeons can use video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the following:

• Before open surgery to confirm a cancer diagnosis or take a biopsy from lymph nodes in your chest
• As an alternative to open surgery to remove a cancerous wedge of lung tissue (segmentectomy) or an entire lung lobe (lobectomy)

VATS uses a non-rib-spreading technique. Compared to traditional, open procedures, you can enjoy these benefits from VATS:

• Better pain control
• Faster recovery
• Smaller incisions (cuts)

Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is another innovative surgical option to treat esophageal cancer. Cancer can occur anywhere in the esophagus. However, it most often occurs in the distal region, where the esophagus joins the stomach.

Our thoracic surgeons are highly skilled and proficient at removing the cancer and reconstructing the esophagus with a portion of the stomach. This minimally invasive approach uses small incisions in the abdomen and chest, without needing to spread the ribs. This leads to better pain control and easier recovery for you compared to an open procedure.

Interventional Pulmonology

BIDMC is the only center in New England that offers complete and seamless integration between thoracic surgery and interventional pulmonologists. Together, we are advancing techniques and pioneering new effective therapies.

We offer a number of interventional pulmonology procedures not available elsewhere in Boston:

• Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
• Photodynamic therapy
• Tracheal and bronchial stenting  

BIDMC Complicated Airway Center

Thoracic surgeons and interventionalists work together to determine whether endoscopic and/or surgical techniques are best for you. We use minimally invasive techniques and innovative equipment to:

Radiologic Imaging & Therapies

BIDMC is widely regarded for our expertise in radiologic imaging and treatment. We have vast and pioneering experience in using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat lung and other chest cancers. This is a non-operative, minimally invasive therapy that uses radiofrequency energy to kill cancerous cells. RFA also helps target and destroy abnormal cell growth in the esophagus. This is a precancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus.

Our specialists also use the minimally invasive CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery to treat lung and other chest cancers.