USA Health, Pulmonary Associates Partner For New Lung Cancer Diagnosis Method

USA Health is the only academic health system in Alabama to combine robotics and rapid diagnostic tools to diagnose lung cancer quickly and accurately in a single procedure, the school announced. The Auris Health Monarch enables physicians to see inside the lung and biopsy hard-to-reach nodules using a flexible endoscope. When combined with Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) Pathology, it allows for diagnosis at the time of bronchoscopy. In teaming with Pulmonary Associates, USA Health offers a comprehensive lung cancer program including pulmonology and pathology, and surgical, medical and radiation oncology. Under the program, a multidisciplinary team collaborates to diagnose, assess and treat lung cancer based on individual patient needs. During a Monarch-assisted bronchoscopy, a physician inserts a flexible endoscope through the mouth of the sedated patient and into the lung using a computer-assisted controller, cameras and GPS navigation based on 3D models of the patient’s lung. ROSE Pathology enables the physician to have the tissue tested during the procedure, often eliminating the need for a second bronchoscopy.