Ranked #8 in the Nation for Pulmonology Care & Lung Surgery by U.S. News & World Report
Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked No. 8 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for pulmonology and lung surgery, receiving a “high performing” rating for lung cancer surgery, and ranked No. 18 in the nation for cancer.
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Access to State-of-the-Art Treatments
We provide the most progressive treatments available to ensure you receive the best possible outcome. Our lung cancer care team includes:
- Specialists who work together to design individualized care plans
- Thoracic surgeons who specialize in performing the latest minimally invasive robotic procedures, often resulting in less pain, fewer complications, reduced hospital stays and faster recovery
- Cutting-edge robotic bronchoscopies to offer minimally invasive biopsies for small lung nodules
- Radiation oncologists who are experts in the most advanced radiation therapies, allowing us to precisely target your tumor and limit radiation exposure
We also offer access to innovative clinical trials that can provide promising new lung cancer treatments not yet available to the public.
Treating Lung Cancer
The board-certified lung cancer surgeons at Houston Methodist are specially trained with expertise in managing the full spectrum of lung and pulmonary diseases.
If you receive a non-small cell or small cell lung cancer diagnosis, your oncology care team tailors your specific treatment plan to the unique characteristics of your type and stage of lung cancer. We also consider your individual needs and lifestyle.
Your care team may use one or more of the following methods to treat and manage the cancer.
If you receive a non-small cell or small cell lung cancer diagnosis, your oncology care team tailors your specific treatment plan to the unique characteristics of your type and stage of lung cancer. We also consider your individual needs and lifestyle.
Your care team may use one or more of the following methods to treat and manage the cancer.
Surgery
Our surgeons perform the most progressive surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures. The following surgical procedures may be conducted to remove the cancer from the lung:
- Wedge resection – removal of the tumor and a wedge-shaped piece of the lung
- Segmentectomy – removal of a small part of the lung where the tumor is located
- Lobectomy or sleeve lobectomy – removal of the lobe with cancer
- Pneumonectomy – removal of the lung
- Video-assisted thoracic surgery – a minimally invasive surgical technique using a small incisions and special instruments
In more advanced cases, our experts perform reconstructive surgery to restore the structure, shape or function of areas of the body affected by lung cancer or lung cancer treatment.
Radiation Therapy
Most people with lung cancer receive some type of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is commonly used as a main treatment for early-stage lung cancer where the tumor is small, and the cancer has not spread outside the lungs. Later it is often used in combination with chemotherapy or after surgery.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing in a targeted, specific area. Radiation works by targeting abnormal cells, damaging their DNA so they are unable to reproduce.
The main types of external radiation therapies used in lung cancer include:
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing in a targeted, specific area. Radiation works by targeting abnormal cells, damaging their DNA so they are unable to reproduce.
The main types of external radiation therapies used in lung cancer include:
- 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) – uses computer software and advanced machines to deliver radiation to precisely shaped targets in sites containing a tumor
- Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) – uses accurate image-guided tumor targeting and patient positioning to deliver high radiation doses to a tumor while limiting damage to normal tissue
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) – uses hundreds of radiation beam-shaping devices to deliver a single dose; the radiation beam intensity changes to allow different tumor areas or nearby tissues to receive varying radiation doses
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) – uses repeated CT, MRI or PET scans that are performed during treatment to increase target accuracy and spare normal tissue
Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy. Radioactive materials (isotopes) are sealed in tiny pellets and placed in the tumor using devices, including needles or catheters. The isotopes give off radiation as they decay, which damages nearby cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or halting cell division and growth. This treatment is typically administered orally (by mouth) or intravenously (with an IV).
For lung cancer treatment, chemotherapy may be the main type of treatment or used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy or other treatments. In some cases, chemotherapy may be given before surgery to help shrink tumors to make them easier to remove.
For lung cancer treatment, chemotherapy may be the main type of treatment or used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy or other treatments. In some cases, chemotherapy may be given before surgery to help shrink tumors to make them easier to remove.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses medications to stimulate the immune system. The drugs help the body to produce more immune cells or help existing immune cells recognize and destroy cancerous cells. Many immunotherapies can be used to treat lung cancer, either alone or in combination with other treatments.
We are advancing immunotherapy research and offer the most effective options to preserve healthy cells and tissues. Some immunotherapy treatments are administered intravenously (with an IV). Others are injected directly into the tumor.
Side effects of immunotherapy vary depending on the type of medication delivered, the type of blood cancer being treated and your overall health.
We are advancing immunotherapy research and offer the most effective options to preserve healthy cells and tissues. Some immunotherapy treatments are administered intravenously (with an IV). Others are injected directly into the tumor.
Side effects of immunotherapy vary depending on the type of medication delivered, the type of blood cancer being treated and your overall health.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is a newer type of lung cancer treatment. It uses drugs that specifically recognize and target cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Targeted therapeutic drugs often pinpoint specific mutations or proteins that are involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. Targeted therapy can be taken orally.
Your doctor may use targeted therapy as an initial treatment or combined with other treatments. An advantage of targeted therapy over chemotherapy is that the targeted drugs are associated with less severe side effects.
Targeted therapeutic drugs often pinpoint specific mutations or proteins that are involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. Targeted therapy can be taken orally.
Your doctor may use targeted therapy as an initial treatment or combined with other treatments. An advantage of targeted therapy over chemotherapy is that the targeted drugs are associated with less severe side effects.
Lung Cancer: Richard Kutner's Story
After seeing the X-ray that revealed his lung cancer, Richard chose Houston Methodist for treatment. He knew that he would receive the personalized, compassionate care he desired from high quality physicians and support staff. His team developed a plan to reduce the size of his cancer as much as possible, while preventing its growth.Benefits of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
Houston Methodist radiation oncologist Andrew Farach, MD, describes the benefits of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a lung cancer treatment. SBRT is delivered only to the tumor in five or fewer treatment days, with minimal effects to the surrounding tissues and outstanding results in patients.
Specialty Lung Cancer Clinic
The Specialty Lung Cancer Clinic offers lung cancer patients expedited evaluation and disease management. Our medical, surgical and radiation oncologists routinely consult and focus on the individual patient. We develop personalized care plans that include the most innovative treatments to improve outcomes.
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