Thoracic cancer care, coordinated around you.
At St. Luke’s, lung cancer care is centered on you—your diagnosis, your goals, and your experience. We provide world-class cancer care close to home. Our Thoracic Center of Excellence brings together a highly specialized team focused on cancers of the lung, esophagus, and chest. From the moment of diagnosis, your care is coordinated, personalized, and designed to move forward with clarity and support.
Understanding lung & thoracic cancer
Thoracic cancers are a group of cancers that develop within the chest cavity, including cancers of the lungs and esophagus. Lung cancer is the most common thoracic malignancy and occurs when abnormal cells in the lungs grow out of control and form a tumor. Other thoracic cancers include esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors such as thymoma, and mesothelioma, a cancer of the pleural lining.
Risk factors vary depending on the cancer type and may include smoking, exposure to asbestos, chronic acid reflux, and other environmental or genetic factors. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are critical to achieving the best possible outcomes. At St. Luke's, our thoracic oncology specialists provide comprehensive evaluation, advanced screening and diagnostic testing, and personalized treatment plans for patients with lung and other thoracic cancers.
Thoracic cancer symptoms and diagnosis at St. Luke's
Recognizing the signs of thoracic cancers, including lung and esophageal cancers, is crucial for early detection, although some cancers may not cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Symptoms can vary depending on the type and location of the cancer and may include:
- Persistent cough or hoarseness
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum
- Chest pain (can sometimes be felt as thoracic back pain)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing (odynophagia) - common in esophageal cancer
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Fatigue, weakness, or recurring respiratory infections
- Swelling in the face or neck (if a tumor presses on blood vessels)
If you experience persistent or concerning symptoms, especially difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or a chronic cough, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider. At St. Luke's, diagnosing thoracic cancers involves a thorough evaluation, which may include:
- Physical exam: Listening to the lungs, checking for swollen lymph nodes or other abnormalities.
- Imaging tests: CT scans of the chest are often the first step. PET scans can help determine if cancer has spread. MRI may be used, particularly to evaluate potential spread to the spine (though a thoracic MRI may not always clearly show lung cancer itself, it's useful for evaluating structures in the chest and spine). Barium swallow studies may be used for esophageal issues.
- Endoscopy: For suspected esophageal cancer, an upper endoscopy allows doctors to view the esophagus and take biopsies.
- Biopsy: Obtaining a tissue sample is essential for diagnosis. This might be done via endoscopy, bronchoscopy, needle biopsy (guided by CT), or surgical biopsy (e.g., mediastinoscopy, thoracoscopy).
Our dedicated thoracic oncology team across the St. Luke's network ensures you receive prompt and precise diagnostic testing.
Types of thoracic cancers and staging
St. Luke’s treats a variety of thoracic cancers, including cancers of the lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, pleura, and the thorax. Common types include:
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): The most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 80–85% of cases. Subtypes include:
- Adenocarcinoma: Often develops in the outer areas of the lungs and is common among non-smokers.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Typically develops near the central airways and is strongly associated with smoking.
- Large Cell Carcinoma: Can occur anywhere in the lungs and tends to grow and spread quickly.
- Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): Accounts for approximately 10–15% of lung cancer cases, is strongly linked to smoking, and tends to grow and spread rapidly.
- Esophageal Cancer: Cancer arising in the esophagus, the tube connecting the throat to the stomach. Main types are adenocarcinoma (often linked to Barrett's esophagus and GERD) and squamous cell carcinoma (linked to smoking and alcohol).
- Mediastinal Tumors: Growths in the mediastinum. These can be benign or malignant and include thymomas (from the thymus gland), lymphomas, germ cell tumors, and neurogenic tumors.
- Mesothelioma: A rare cancer affecting the pleura (lining of the lungs), strongly linked to asbestos exposure.
- Chest Wall Tumors: Tumors arising from the bones (ribs, sternum) or soft tissues of the chest wall. Can be benign or malignant (sarcomas).
Thoracic cancer staging: Staging depends on the specific cancer type (e.g., esophageal cancer uses the TNM system). It describes the tumor size, lymph node involvement, and distant spread, helping guide treatment and predict prognosis. Our specialists will explain your specific cancer type and stage clearly.
Our philosophy of care
We don’t just treat the cancer—we treat the person. Thoracic cancers can impact breathing, energy levels, nutrition, and daily functioning. That’s why your care begins with a team already working together on your behalf. Your care team may include thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and imaging specialists—each contributing their expertise to a unified plan.
Expert, collaborative care for thoracic cancer
Multidisciplinary Case Conference Review
Our team meets weekly for a Multidisciplinary Case Conference Review—commonly known as a tumor board—to collaboratively review imaging, pathology, and patient goals. Together, we develop a unified treatment roadmap that promotes faster decision-making, stronger care coordination, and improved patient outcomes.
Meet Your Thoracic Care Team
Your care is guided by a dedicated group of specialists who focus specifically on thoracic cancers and work together as an integrated team.
- Thoracic Surgeon: Leads surgical care, including minimally invasive and complex chest procedures, with a focus on safe tumor removal and preservation of lung function
- Pulmonologist / Interventional Pulmonologist: Plays a key role in diagnosis and airway management, including advanced bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures
- Medical Oncologist: uses information from the unique genetic code of the patient's cancer to design a personalized treatment plan, incorporating treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy or chemotherapy.
- Radiation Oncologist: Delivers precise radiation therapy, carefully targeting cancer while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.
This collaborative model ensures that care is both efficient and complete.
Advanced thoracic cancer treatments
Your treatment plan is personalized based on the type and stage of cancer, as well as your overall health, goals, and preferences.
Thoracic cancer treatment options may include:
- Surgery: Removal of the tumor and, when necessary, nearby lymph nodes using traditional, minimally invasive, or robotic-assisted thoracic techniques.
- Radiation Therapy: Highly precise radiation treatments, including advanced techniques such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), designed to target tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Interventional Pulmonology Procedures: Specialized procedures used to diagnose, evaluate, and manage tumors or conditions affecting the airways and lungs such as a robotic assisted bronchoscopy, an endobronchial ultrasound, and an IR biopsy.
- Chemotherapy: Systemic drug treatment that destroys cancer cells throughout the body and may be used before surgery, after surgery, or for advanced-stage disease.
- Targeted Therapy: Medications that target specific genetic mutations or biomarkers, such as EGFR or ALK alterations, allowing for more precise treatment with the potential for fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy: Treatments that help the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells by overcoming mechanisms tumors use to evade immune detection.
- Clinical Trials: Access to innovative therapies and emerging treatment approaches that may provide additional options for eligible patients.
Our multidisciplinary team works closely together to determine the most effective sequence and combination of treatments, ensuring every care plan is centered around your individual needs.
Cancer clinical trials
Clinical trials offer patients access to cutting-edge, innovative treatments and therapies that are not yet widely available and can help advance cancer research. Through St. Luke's Cancer Clinical Trials, patients will be monitored by our expert teams, as well as have the opportunity to contribute to future breakthroughs in cancer care. Eligibility can vary by trial and may depend on your diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. If you're eligible, you'll receive detailed information about the trial, including potential risks and benefits. Participation is always voluntary and your care team will support you every step of the way.
Oncology Navigation
Role: Helping coordinate care and provide a consistent point of contact
Goal: To ensure patients receive timely, coordinated, and patient-centered care while reducing confusion, delays, and stress
Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Respiratory Support
Role: Maintaining or improving lung function and breathing difficulties
Goal: To improve breathing, increase physical endurance, reduce respiratory symptoms, and enhance quality of life during and after cancer treatment
Nutrition Services
Role: Supporting strength and recovery during treatment
Goal: Preventing malnutrition that often leads to treatment delays
Oncology Social Work
Role: Addressing emotional, practical, and financial needs
Goal: Ensuring the patient has the mental health support and resources (transport, lodging) to focus on healing
Palliative & Supportive Care
Role: Focused on symptom management and quality of life at any stage
Goal: To improve quality of life for patients and families at any stage of cancer by managing symptoms, reducing suffering, and offering supportive care alongside treatment
Frequently asked questions about thoracic and lung cancers
The two main types are Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), which includes adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).
Thoracic cancers are malignancies arising within the chest cavity, including cancers of the esophagus, mediastinum (like thymoma), pleura (mesothelioma), and chest wall. Primary lung cancer is also a thoracic cancer but often discussed separately.
Symptoms vary but can include persistent cough, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss. Thoracic back pain can sometimes be a symptom, potentially related to tumors near the spine or metastatic disease.
Treatment depends on the type and stage but often involves a combination of thoracic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
While many symptoms are the same for men and women (like persistent cough), some studies suggest women might experience fatigue, shortness of breath, or back/shoulder pain more frequently as initial symptoms.
Beat Cancer With Us…
At St. Luke’s, our cancer patients benefit from all of that, plus an unparalleled level of support and compassion. You are not alone we are with you every step of the way. Whether you are newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, we are here to help.
You can easily find a specialist near you and learn more about our Cancer Center locations to begin your care journey.
Call St. Luke’s HopeLine – one number for all your needs: 484-503-HOPE.