Our thoracic surgeons provide surgical treatment and staging for lung cancer, pulmonary nodules, pleural effusions (abnormal fluid around the lung), lung infections (empyema), recurrent popping of the lung (pneumothorax), giant emphysematous bulla or “vanishing lung syndrome” and other diseases of the lung, as well as lung preserving surgery or “sleeve lobectomy” for tumors of the distal airway or bronchi (“wind pipes”). We have extensive experience in minimally invasive or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). VATS can be performed to remove early stage lung cancers, drain effusions, and treat pleural infections, amongst other indications.In regards to lung cancer surgery, our surgeons and care providers work as a team in multidisciplinary collaboration as a part of the National Cancer Institute Designated UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, which employs a multidisciplinary approach, providing expert opinions from thoracic surgery, pulmonology, radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology, and medical oncology to best fight our patients’ cancers. Our patients may be eligible for UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center clinical trials that offer cutting edge and state of the art therapies.  Many of these clinical trials offer “personalized medicine” where molecular defects found in the tumors undergo specific “targeted therapy”.

Our surgeons, along with researchers from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center collaborate with JAX West, A UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center research partner.  Through this innovative and ground breaking partnership, tumors are engrafted into specialized mice, creating a “co-clinical” approach that allows our scientists to safely test novel and potentially life-saving new cancer drugs, at no risk to patients.

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