The Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Program

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. Early diagnosis offers a greater probability of cure. At Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital and Overlook Hospital, we offer a full-service lung cancer diagnosis and treatment program in collaboration with the Atlantic Health Pulmonary Center.

We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic testing, minimally invasive diagnostics, staging and surgical procedures, and world-class surgeons and physicians. Our multi-disciplinary health care team includes thoracic surgeons that work with specialists in pulmonary medicine, medical oncology, radiation oncology, ENT, infectious disease and cardiology – to guarantee our patients the best possible care.

Lung cancer diagnostic testing available:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Flexible and rigid bronchoscopy
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
• Video-mediastinoscopy

Chemotherapy and Radiation

Patients with more advanced tumors may be offered chemotherapy and radiation therapy to improve surgical outcomes. Patients who require radiotherapy for management of their tumors are offered both conventional and image-guided techniques, such as CyberKnife or brachytherapy – the placement of radioactive seeds at the site of a tumor.

Chemotherapy is available at Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at both locations in a comfortable environment by expert medical oncologists and oncology-certified nurses. State-of-the-art clinical trials, often employing the latest biologic therapies, may also be available to patients who meet the criteria for those trials.

Surgery

Minimally-invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of benign and malignant conditions of the lung and surrounding areas. Patients undergoing VATS have far fewer complications than traditional open-chest surgery patients and can usually eat and walk on the day of surgery. When necessary, our surgeons also perform open thoracotomy procedures on larger, more centrally located tumors. Our lung cancer surgery program features nationally renowned surgeons and an award-winning nursing staff certified in oncology and dedicated to lung cancer treatment.

Support Services

Among the support services at Morristown Memorial and Overlook hospitals are dedicated social workers trained in care for lung cancer patients. Support groups for patients and their families, and numerous wellness programs are offered free of charge. These programs include both smoking cessation and nutritional support.