Overview

Overview

If you’ve been screened in our lung nodule clinic and need lung cancer treatment, our experts get you started on a personalized treatment plan as quickly as possible. Receiving treatment early from an experienced, specialized team of dedicated lung cancer experts makes a difference. At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, we provide excellent care at our cancer centers throughout South Florida and the Treasure Coast.

Lung Cancer Care at Cleveland Clinic in Florida: Why Choose Us?

Our lung cancer specialists have the expertise to treat the most complex lung cancers. From comprehensive screening of lung nodules to leading-edge cancer treatments, our team delivers the care you need. Lung cancer program highlights include:

  • Highly specialized providers: Our multispecialty lung cancer team includes expert pathologists, radiologists, pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and thoracic surgeons. Each board-certified and fellowship-trained team member has specialized training and experience in diagnosing and treating lung cancer.
  • Sophisticated diagnostic tools: Our specialists use advanced radiology tools that provide high-resolution imaging of the lungs for the most detailed views. We use state-of-the-art techniques to retrieve tumor samples during biopsy.
  • Individualized treatment plans: Our lung cancer experts determine the genetic characteristics of lung tumors to design a treatment plan specific to your unique needs. We thoroughly review this plan with you, so you understand your options at every step.
  • Recognized expertise: Each of our cancer centers is an American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer®-accredited program. The Maroone Cancer Center at Weston Hospital is a Florida Department of Health Cancer Center of Excellence (3-year designation). We offer cancer care that meets or exceeds rigorous national standards. Learn more about our other cancer care accreditations and awards and recognition.
Diagnosis

Diagnosis

When you have lung cancer, time is of the essence. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, many lung cancers are curable. The lung cancer and pulmonology specialists at Cleveland Clinic in Florida use advanced tools and technologies to diagnose lung cancer. We determine the size and location of tumors (cancer stage) and whether cancer has spread (metastasized). We use:

Imaging tests

If your doctor suspects you may have lung cancer — or if you have a history of smoking — we may screen you for lung nodules and other lung concerns. We use high-resolution lung imaging to take detailed images of lung tissue. You may have:

Biopsies

Our experts perform image-guided procedures to evaluate lung tissue and retrieve tissue samples for examination by our pathologists (biopsy). We examine samples to determine if cancer is small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer. We also use these tests to stage lung cancer. Our experts perform:

  • Autofluorescence bronchoscopy: Specialists insert a thin instrument with a light and camera (bronchoscope) to examine lung tissue. We use a special light that helps detect cancer in the bronchial tubes.
  • Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS): We insert a flexible bronchoscope into your mouth, windpipe and lungs to see lung tissue and surrounding lymph nodes.
  • Esophageal ultrasound: Experts insert a bronchoscope with an ultrasound probe on the end. We view your blood vessels and take precise tissue samples for biopsy.
  • Navigational bronchoscopy: We insert a bronchoscope that uses electromagnetic navigation and CT scan images to create 3D pictures. Experts use these images to navigate hard-to-reach areas for retrieving tissue samples or treating lung cancer with energy beams (radiation).
  • Percutaneous needle biopsy: Radiologists use computer guidance as they puncture the chest skin to take a lung tissue sample.
  • Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy: Our specialists use a small instrument to access distant areas of the lung. We take tissue samples to examine.
  • Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis: We remove a fluid sample (pleural effusion) from the space between your lungs and chest wall. We examine this fluid under a microscope to look for cancer cells.

When appropriate, experts use robotic bronchoscopy — done with a computer and thin robotic arms — to access lung tumors. We use this procedure to retrieve tissue samples with greater precision and reduce the need for additional biopsies.

Genetic testing

Our lung cancer pathologists examine tissue samples and perform tests to learn about the tumor’s genetic makeup (molecular profile). We use what we learn to determine which cancer therapies are right for you. We also look for specific proteins on cancer cells to determine how tumors may respond to treatment.

Treatment

Treatment

After diagnosis and staging, our lung cancer experts will discuss treatment options with you. We outline your personalized treatment plan to make sure you understand every step. As treatment progresses, we check your progress and make any needed adjustments.

There’s often more than one option for treating lung cancer. We review the risks and benefits of each treatment with you. We may recommend:

Lung cancer surgery

Our experts typically recommend surgery (lung resection) for early-stage lung cancers. When appropriate for your care, we use robotic-assisted, minimally invasive techniques to treat lung tumors. Lung cancer surgeries include:

  • Lobectomy: Thoracic surgeons remove a large part of your lung.
  • Pneumectomy: We remove your entire lung.
  • Sleeve resection: We remove cancerous tissue and part of your airway (bronchus). We reattach the remaining healthy airway to your lung to help preserve as much healthy lung tissue as possible.
  • Wedge resection: We remove a wedge-shaped section of cancerous lung tissue.
  • Video-assisted lobectomy: During video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery to remove part of your lung (lobectomy). We make small incisions and insert a thin instrument with an attached video camera (thoracoscope). Smaller incisions help you heal faster after surgery.

Radiation therapy

Our radiation oncology specialists use high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells with radiation therapy. Real-time imaging ensures we target lung tumors precisely.

We may treat you with radiation before surgery to help shrink tumors, or after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. Our experts provide:

Systemic therapy

When appropriate, our experts use powerful medications that work throughout your body to destroy lung cancer cells. Based on the tumor’s genetic makeup, we may recommend:

Our Doctors

Our Doctors

Lung Nodules & Cancer Screening

Lung Nodules & Cancer Screening

The pulmonary medicine program at Cleveland Clinic in Florida provides prompt evaluation of lung nodules. We offer low-dose CT scans if you:

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic in Florida?

Cleveland Clinic in Florida is committed to helping residents detect and treat cancer at its earliest stage and offers a low-dose high-speed spiral CT screening for early detection of lung cancer. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some current and former smokers.

Low-dose, high-speed spiral CT screening can detect lung cancer in their earliest and most treatable stages before it spreads beyond the lung.

Who should be screened with low-dose, high-speed CT?

  • Age 50 to 80 with at least a 20 pack-year* history of smoking and currently smoking or quit less than 15 years ago, OR
  • Age 50 or older with at least a 20 pack-year* history of smoking and a history of one additional risk factor such as a family history of lung cancer, exposure to known carcinogen, COPD, emphysema or other cancer.

*Pack-year = the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoking.

Will insurance pay for the low-dose CT screening?

Medicare and most insurances cover the cost of the screening for those who meet the criteria. Find more information about coverage for CT screening.

Our lung cancer screening program includes:

  • Appointment with a lung cancer specialist.
  • Standardized low-dose, high-speed CT chest scan.
  • Chest CT interpretation by a board-certified radiologist with dedicated expertise in chest imaging.
  • Lung nodule evaluation.
  • Standardized long-term follow-up protocol.
Appointments & Locations

Appointments & Locations

Make an appointment at one of our Cleveland Clinic locations in Florida, or schedule a virtual visit. 

Locations

Egil and Pauline Braathen Center/Maroone Cancer Center

Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center

Indian River Hospital Scully-Welsh Cancer Center

Schedule a Low-dose CT Lung Screening

Lung Cancer Research

Lung Cancer Research

The physicians at Cleveland Clinic in Florida are at the forefront of emerging therapies to treat cancers. Our physicians — along with specialists at our Florida Research and Innovation Center — lead clinical trials and research new ways to reduce side effects during cancer treatment. Search for a clinical trial and talk to your doctor to see if a clinical trial may benefit you.

Palliative & Supportive Care

Palliative & Supportive Care

Treatment for lung cancer isn’t easy. Even treatments that are low risk may have side effects that affect the quality of your life. We help you manage treatment side effects with cancer palliative and supportive care. You’ll find the support and resources you need to help you and your loved ones during diagnosis and treatment.

Resources

Resources

Risk factors for lung cancer

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease, such as cancer. Several risk factors make a person more likely to develop lung cancer. Risk factors include:

  • Smoking: Is the leading cause of lung cancer, with about 80% of lung cancer deaths thought to be a result of smoking.
  • Secondhand smoke: This refers to breathing in the smoke of others.
  • Radon: A radioactive gas that cannot been seen, tasted, or smelled. It is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium. High levels of radon may be found in some homes or other buildings, especially basements.
  • Asbestos exposure.
  • Talc: While no increased risk of lung cancer has been found from the use of cosmetic talcum powder, some studies of talc miners and millers suggest a higher risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases from their exposure to industrial-grade talc. Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral which, in its natural form, may contain asbestos; however, by law, all home-use talcum products (baby, body, and facial powders) have been asbestos-free since.
  • Cancer-causing agents in the workplace, including:
    • Radioactive ores, such as uranium.
    • Arsenic.
    • Vinyl chloride.
    • Nickel chromates.
    • Coal products.
    • Mustard gas.
    • Chloromethyl ethers.
    • Diesel exhaust.
  • Personal or family history of lung cancer.
  • Air pollution: In some cities, air pollution may slightly increase the risk of lung cancer.

Patient resource and education centers

Patient Resource and Education Centers are located in each of our cancer centers, Maroone Cancer Center, Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center and Scully-Welsh Cancer Center, and provide patients and their loved ones with information, resources and support services to help them navigate through their cancer diagnosis. For more information visit our Cancer Support Services page or contact the location nearest you:

Patient navigator/social work services

For a patient diagnosed with lung cancer, learning how to fight the disease can be an emotional, frightening experience with more questions than answers. That's where our patient navigators can help. Whether you have been recently diagnosed, are already living with lung cancer, or had a recurrence of the disease, our navigators can help you cope with the anxiety of being diagnosed with cancer, provide information and resources, reduce any barriers to services, and help expedite access to care.

You may refer yourself or ask your physician to refer you.

  • Maroone Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, Weston, FL
     Call 954.659.5604
  • Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, Stuart, FL
     Call 772.223.5945, ext. 13748 or ext. 13719
  • Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Vero Beach, FL
     Call 772.226.4827