Lung Cancer Screening & Nodule Program

Overview

Facts about lung cancer:

  • 1 out of 14 people will develop lung cancer
  • In the US, there are approximately 160,000 deaths from Lung Cancer each year, making it the leading cancer KILLER.
  • 85% of Lung Cancer cases are attributed to Smoking.

Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center is now offering a Lung Cancer Screening for individuals at high risk for developing Lung Cancer.

Who is eligible for Lung Cancer Screening Program?

Annual screening is covered for patients without symptoms of lung cancer aged 50-80 years who have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and who are either currently smoking or have quit in the past 15 years. If you do not meet this criteria, but are still interested in a screening, please call 973-426-6444 to discuss your options.

How is smoking history calculated?

The number of years of smoking is multiplied by number of packs smoked daily. For instance, someone who smokes 1 pack a year for 20 years has a smoking history of 20 pack-years, or smokes 2 packs a year for 10 years also has a smoking history of 20 pack years.

What is Lung Nodule Program?

Patients who fall outside of eligibility for Lung Cancer Screening program but have lung nodules previously detected on imagining tests can participate in Lung Nodule Program.

Do I need a referral from my Primary Care Doctor?

No. Although most of our patients are referred by their doctors, patients can self-refer themselves or refer a friend or a relative for screening.

How fast will I get the results?

Official Radiologist reading is available the next day. Patient will be notified the following day over the phone by the Physician Assistant. All screening scans are reviewed by a Lung Cancer Team, including pulmonologist, radiologist and thoracic surgical oncologist.

Screening is Simple as 1, 2, and 3.

Patients can call (973) 429-6444 to reach a Nurse Navigator for Lung Cancer Screening and Lung Nodule Program, who will ask a few questions to assess eligibility and schedule a screening appointment.

On the day of the appointment, patient will have a 30 minutes interview and physical exam with Physician Assistant to be enrolled into the program.

After the interview, the patient is escorted for Low Density CT scan.

Simple screenings for those at-risk with Low Dose CT scan.

  • Quick, safe and painless– completed in just seconds with very little radiation exposure, requires no injection and no preparation.
  • More thorough than traditional x-rays - scientifically proven to be more effective in detecting cancer and other lung conditions

Screening will provide:

  • Peace of mind for many patients with benign lung scarring or inflammation
  • Early detection that results in less invasive treatment and dramatically improved outcomes for patients diagnosed with lung cancer

Advanced, multidisciplinary care

Our Lung Center brings together a dedicated team that includes thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, thoracic radiologists, oncologists and pathologists to provide patients with advanced care.

Convenient access to exceptional cancer care, if needed

In the event of finding a cancer, the Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center, a comprehensive program accredited with commendation by the Commission on Cancer, can provide a caliber of care that’s unsurpassed at any other hospital.  Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to ensure that every patient receives “whole person” care that addresses all physical, emotional and practical needs and achieves the very best outcome.

Advanced diagnostics using Cutting-Edge Technology in Health Care.

SuperDimension™ LungGPS™ - When a nodule that requires further investigation is found on a scan, rather than a traditional biopsy, our specially trained doctors will use the SuperDimension™ system, unique state-of-the-art technology that affords greater diagnostic clarity and reduces a patient’s risk of complications and discomfort. SuperDimension™ - also known as LungGPS™ - allows physicians to more precisely locate nodules even when they are in deep, hard to reach areas of the lungs by performing a minimally invasive procedure called an Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy™ or ENB.

EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound) - a type of bronchoscopy device that incorporates flexible bronchoscope with build-in ultrasound probe. EBUS allows for biopsy of the lymph nodes in the chest and surrounding tissue without a surgery. It provides minimally invasive way to asses if the cancer has spread outside of the lung. . Having this advanced technology on site at Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center enables us to arrive at a staging and treatment plan faster, with greater accuracy and less risk and radiation exposure to the patient.

CT Guided Biopsy – Highly trained Interventional Radiologists can sample nodules using CAT scanners to define whether nodules are cancerous or not, as well as often clarify their genetic behavior to guide therapy.

The Lung Center at Mountainside Medical Center can be reached at 973-429-6444.

Our Team

Lopa Patel, M.D., FCCP

Medical Director of Lung Cancer/Lung Screening Program

Dr. Patel is a board certified pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist, and is currently the director of the division of pulmonary medicine. Dr. Patel has been practicing since 2005, after she received her medical education from the Ross University School of Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

Daniel Mansour, M.D.

Medical Director of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Director of the Lung Cancer Screening/Lung Nodule Program

Dr. Mansour earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and completed a residency in general surgery at University of Maryland School of Medicine. Following his general surgery residency, he completed a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University and an advanced thoracic surgery fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Michelle M. James, PA

Michelle James is a Physician Assistant with extensive experience in Cardiothoracic Surgery. As the Thoracic Surgery Physician Assistant, Michelle is responsible for both clinical and administrative roles. She supports the thoracic services, which include the Lung Cancer Screening and Lung Nodule programs, as well as the surgical and post-surgical intervention and care. She first assists in the operating room, collaborates with physicians in the evaluation and care of thoracic patients, and provides patient and caregiver education.

Michelle graduated cum laude from Georgetown University undergraduate program and received her Master of Physician Assistant Practice from Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

Linda West, RN

Linda West, RN is a Registered Nurse in the Department of Radiation Oncology. She has 22 years of experience working with Oncology patients and was awarded the prestigious Myrtle Phillips Forsyth Nursing Award in 2014. She also serves as a Nurse Navigator for the Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Lung Cancer Screening and Lung Nodule Program and Melanoma Survivorship Program.

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