Cardiothoracic Surgery

World-Class Lung Cancer Surgery

Most of the thoracic surgeries performed at our hospital are for lung cancer, so our thoracic surgeons have exceptional experience in this area.

• Finding lung tumors earlier. With the advent of lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scanning in people with a history of smoking, more tumors are being found earlier, when they are small. NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist has the largest lung cancer screening program in Brooklyn. We use an approach called navigational bronchoscopy to locate, biopsy, and sometimes treat small and hard-to-reach lung tumors.  As of 2023, we also offer robotic-assisted bronchoscopy using the Ion by Intuitive. With its advanced mapping technique and flexibility, the Ion helps physicians target lung nodules that were previously inaccessible.
• Minimally invasive lung cancer surgery. Many patients can have lung cancer surgery using a minimally invasive approach called "video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery" (VATS) to remove the affected lobe of the lung. Patients who have VATS typically experience a shorter hospital stay, more rapid improvement of breathing function, and less postoperative discomfort than those who have open surgery.
• Robotic lung cancer surgery. Some lung cancer surgeries can be performed using a robotic approach. During the procedure, the surgeon sits at a console, viewing the surgical field through the robot's "vision system." The surgeon uses controls to operate the various arms and cameras of the robot, which are placed into position by surgical assistants. The surgery robot enables the surgeon to operate with greater magnification of the surgical field and more precision in the use of surgical instruments.
• Experience treating mesothelioma. In addition to carcinomas of the lung, our thoracic surgeons have more experience than many doctors treating people with pleural mesothelioma, a tumor of the lung lining caused by asbestos.

Minimally Invasive Esophageal Cancer Surgery

Surgical removal of the esophagus for cancer has traditionally required an open approach. At NYP Brooklyn Methodist, we offer this procedure but often use minimally invasive surgical approaches — such as laparoscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopy — whenever possible for people with operable esophageal cancer. We place endoscopes through small incisions in the chest and abdomen to visualize, manipulate, and remove the esophagus and surrounding lymph nodes.

• Surgery for tumors in all locations. Some esophageal cancers can be challenging to remove, due to their location. Our surgeons offer surgical removal of cancers in all locations of the esophagus.
• Robotic esophageal cancer surgery. In some patients, our surgeons can perform minimally invasive robotic esophagectomy.
• Endoscopic procedures. Our surgeons work with the hospital's advanced endoscopists, who can stage esophageal cancer using endoscopic ultrasound and can treat complications — such as opening up an obstruction by dilating the esophagus or inserting a stent.
• A team approach. Our thoracic surgeons collaborate closely with all members of the healthcare team — such as medical and radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, endoscopists, and pathologists — to ensure that people with esophageal cancer receive the latest comprehensive care in a compassionate and comfortable setting.
• Excellent outcomes. At our hospital, patients who have surgery for esophageal cancer have outcomes (mortality and complication rates, such as leakage at the site of an anastomosis) that are far better than the national average.
• Leaders in research. View Dr. Sebron Harrison's presentation at the about the consequences of refusing surgery for esophageal cancer at 54th Annual Meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) here.