While lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the country, it can have a 90 percent survival rate if caught early. A low-dose CT screening for lung cancer can detect lung cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Many insurance plans are now covering the cost of the screening for those who meet the criteria.
250 N Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL 32935
321-752-1200
Low Dose CT Navigator
Dianne Marksberry
772-388-4166
[email protected]
Who should be screened for lung cancer?
Those age 50 to 77 with at least a 20 pack-year* history of smoking and currently smoking or quit less than 15 years ago
Those age 50 or older with at least a 20-pack-year of smoking and a history of one additional risk factor such as family history of lung cancer, exposure to a known carcinogen, COPD, emphysema or other cancer
*Pack-year = the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoking.
Please contact Dianne Marksberry, Low-Dose CT Navigator, if you have any questions or want more information
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What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the lungs. Cancer occurs when cells in the body divide without control or order. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably, a mass of tissue forms. This is called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors. They can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
There are two types of lung cancers:
Non-small cell lung cancer—generally grows and spreads more slowly (more common form)
Small cell lung cancer—generally grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
In its initial phase, lung cancer may cause no symptoms in patients. Symptoms that can occur beyond the initial phase include:
chronic cough
hoarseness
coughing up blood
weight loss
loss of appetite
shortness of breath
fever without a known reason
repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia
chest pain
These symptoms can be associated with other lung problems so a person should visit their doctor for an evaluation.
During your initial visit your physician may evaluate the following:
family history
history of smoking
exposure to environmental and occupational hazards
The physician may also request that you have a chest x-ray and other test completed. If lung cancer is suspected, a biopsy of the tissue may need to be performed.
How is lung cancer treated?
Once lung cancer is found, staging tests are done to find out if the cancer has spread. Treatment options depend on each patient's unique case, but may include:
Surgery to remove the tumor, nearby tissue and/or lymph nodes. The type of surgery depends on the location of the tumor, such as:
Segmental or wedge resection — removal of only a small part of the lung
Lobectomy — removal of an entire lobe of the lung
Pneumonectomy — removal of an entire lung
Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, and sometimes to relieve symptoms, such as shortness of breath. Radiation may be:
Chemotherapy drugs to kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. This may be given in many forms, including:
SPiN Thoracic Navigation System
Melbourne Regional Medical Center physicians are utilizing Veran’s SPiN Thoracic Navigation System to assist in diagnosing lung cancer in its earliest stages by reaching lesions in the lungs that were, in the past, difficult to reach with traditional technology. This new system will allow physicians to act sooner and not wait for lesions to grow before they are biopsied.
The SPiN system utilizes electromagnetic technology, like the GPS in your car, to accurately guide physicians to even the smallest lung nodule. The planning begins with a CT scan that creates a 3D roadmap of the airways within the patient’s lungs. The respiratory gating technology accommodates the constant movement within the lungs created by normal breathing. The physicians can use this roadmap before the procedure to customize their views and select the shortest, safest path to the targeted lesion. They then use specialized instruments that communicate with the gated navigation system to collect a tissue sample. The SPiN technology allows physicians to customize bronchoscopy procedures for more accurate tissue sampling which provides their patients with an earlier and more precise diagnosis.
For more information or to schedule your scan, call 772-388-4166.