Expert Lung Cancer Treatment Close to Home
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer, it’s important to make sure that your care team is highly experienced with lung cancer, as treatment methods and standards have evolved dramatically in recent years.
St. Joseph’s Health is a leader in diagnosing and treating lung cancer and other cancers in the chest. From innovative therapies and advanced diagnostics to minimally invasive surgery and the latest in radiation therapy, we offer cutting edge medical technology, proven treatments and exceptional support services – all in a comfortable setting close to home. At every step, our patients receive the support they need to understand and navigate the complexity of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
As part of our commitment to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients, St. Joseph’s Health has partnered with Hackensack Meridian Health’s John Theurer Cancer Center to provide patients with the cancer expertise they need without having to travel far for care. Through this unique and powerful collaboration, patients have access to the most advanced treatment options, highly specialized care, and the most recent clinical trials. Our local physicians work seamlessly with physicians at the John Theurer Cancer Center to deliver exceptional cancer care that is comprehensive, coordinated, and effective so our patients can get the best possible outcomes.
Lung Cancer Screening
With lung cancer, the warning signs usually don’t appear until the disease has advanced, which is why getting screened is so important for high-risk patients. While it is a leading cause of death in the United States, lung cancer can be treatable when detected early. Lung cancer screening includes a low-dose CT scan, a safe and painless imaging test in which an X-ray machine scans the entire body, using low doses of radiation to make detailed pictures of the lungs. Lung cancer screening is recommended for adults age 50 to 80 years, who have a 20 pack-year smoking history, and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Pack years are calculated by multiplying the average number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years you smoked.
To schedule an appointment, call 862-657-3000.
Advanced Treatment Options
Treatment of cancer depends on many factors, including your overall health, the type, stage, and location of cancer. We are committed to providing you with the best possible treatment for your specific cancer and your personal needs. Effective treatment of cancer requires a coordinated team of surgical, medical and radiation oncologists with specialized expertise in treating specific cancers. Together they determine the most appropriate treatment plan and provide seamless patient care throughout the entire course of treatment. Whether you need single, dual or a combination of all three therapies, you can be confident that you are receiving the highest level of care. Your treatment plan may include:
- Surgery: Lung cancer treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer, parts of the lung and nearby lymph nodes, where lung cancer often spreads first. Our experts perform cutting-edge, minimally invasive surgeries using advanced imaging, robots and specially designed instruments that are safer, less painful and allow for a quicker recovery. We use video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted thoracic surgery, minimally invasive surgical approaches to diagnose and treat lung cancer. We are also experts at using a robot-assisted bronchoscopy tool that allows for the performance of minimally invasive biopsies to help determine if surgery is necessary.
- Chemotherapy and other medical therapies: Chemotherapy uses medicine that goes through the body to kill cancer cells wherever they are. It’s often the primary treatment method for lung cancer that has spread extensively. Chemotherapy may be combined with radiation therapy to treat lung cancer. Other medical systemic therapies – such as targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy – may be effective for patients with more advanced lung disease. Our lung cancer experts use advanced molecular testing to customize drug therapies to your individual needs.
- Radiation therapy: Our radiation oncologists offer advanced radiation technologies to target lung cancer, including options for patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors. We offer the latest radiation therapy technologies to target lung cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Patient-Centered Care
We understand that a cancer diagnosis is a life changing event, affecting your life in many different ways. At St. Joseph’s Health, we combine our clinical expertise with superior support services to help you through your cancer journey. We offer a full complement of support services tailored to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of our cancer patients, including genetic counseling, support groups, social work, nutritional counseling, and palliative care. From physical discomfort to emotional stress, we are here to guide you through each stage of your cancer journey as you navigate from treatment to recovery.
Contact Us
The Cancer Center at Paterson
703 Main Street
Paterson, NJ 07503
973-754-4891
The Cancer Center at Wayne
234 Hamburg Turnpike
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-389-6040
The Cancer Center at Totowa
225 Minnisink Road
Totowa, NJ 07512
862-657-4960
