Palms West Hospital introduces robotic technology for early detection of lung cancer
The outpatient procedure allows for trained surgeons to remove lung nodules, and suspicious tissue in a minimally invasive approach.
Loxahatchee, Fla. — In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital announces the addition of robotic-assisted bronchoscopies to its service line.
The outpatient procedure allows specially trained physicians to access hard-to-reach areas of the lungs to collect tissue samples. In combination with computerized tomography (CT), the robotic technology uses advanced software to generate 3D maps of all 18 segments of a patient's lung.
The state-of-the-art robotic system features an ultra-thin, maneuverable catheter operated by a handheld controller. The easy-to-use system provides the precision needed for lung nodules or other suspicious tissue biopsy.
This system is just the latest addition to the fleet of surgical robots at Palms West Hospital, which was named a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by SRC in 2022, the first hospital in the area to earn this distinction.
"The addition of this service line and technology just further demonstrates the commitment we have to invest in the most advanced technology to improve patient outcomes in our community," said Palms West Hospital CEO Jason L. Kimbrell.
According to the American Cancer Society, "lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for about one in five of all cancer deaths. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined."