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Media
Contact:
Tim Ahlers, Director of Marketing and Community Relations
319-688-7340 or e-mail: tim.ahlers@mercyic.org
NEW PROCEDURE, FIRST
IN IOWA, TARGETS EARLY LUNG CANCER
October 10,
2008/Iowa City, IA: Dr. Alan Moy and Mercy Iowa City are the first
in Iowa to offer a new minimally invasive form of bronchoscopy for
the early detection of lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases
with more accuracy.
The procedure uses electromagnetic navigation—similar to that
in global positioning systems—to take tissue samples from
deep in the lungs.
“Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (EMB) is a major
advance in diagnostic bronchoscopy,” said Dr. Alan Moy, pulmonologist.
“It allows us to diagnose and treat peripheral lung lesions
much better than ever before.”
Bronchoscopy is a common procedure that allows a physician to examine
the airways through a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a bronchoscope.
But traditional bronchoscopy cannot reach all regions of the lungs,
so physicians have turned to CT-guided needle biopsy or surgery
to take tissue samples. These procedures carry higher risks for
the patient.
The new system, called inReach Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy,
uses a CT scan and electromagnetic sensors to guide a catheter to
the exact location of suspicious tissue. The system is like using
a GPS to navigate and biopsy peripheral lesions that cannot be directly
visualized with conventional bronchoscopy. It can be used for a
wide variety of patients, even those who suffer from poor lung function
and who would be at higher risk for surgery or radiation.
The funding of this equipment is part of an ongoing commitment from
the Mercy Hospital Foundation to support Dr. Moy’s work in
treating pulmonary disease. The Foundation earlier funded the EBUS
system that allows doctors to more accurately diagnose the stage
of cancer, giving patients more information about their treatment
options.
Dr. Moy said, "I greatly appreciate the support of the Foundation
in helping to bring the latest technology to the treatment of patients
with serious pulmonary health care challenges."
Dr. Moy is also conducting cancer research in which he takes live
cancer cells from routine biopsies, grows the cancer cells in a
laboratory Petri dish and then determines whether there are more
personalized treatment approaches for lung cancer with fewer side
effects to that particular patient.
The inReach System makes it possible to diagnose lung cancer earlier
than ever, which increases treatment options for patients. It also
guides more targeted and safer radiation treatment for lung cancer
patients who have low lung function.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and
often goes undetected until later stages, when treatment options
are limited. The mortality of lung cancer is the equal to the combined
mortality of the next four most common cancers.
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