Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Center

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for all chest cancers. A team approach with our specialists from radiation oncology, medical oncology, thoracic surgery, interventional pulmonary medicine, combined with radiology and pathology, provides the best care for patients. We specialize in treating malignant disorders of the chest with the most advanced medical and interventional pulmonary approaches, supported by therapeutic advancements and state-of-the-art technologies.

Malignant diseases treated:

  • Carcinoid tumors
  • Carcinoma in situ of airway
  • Metastatic tumors to the chest
  • Non-small cell and small cell lung cancer
  • Pleural effusions
  • Thymoma
  • Tracheal tumors

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interventions

  • Airway stenting
  • Airway tumor debulking with laser, electrocautery, or argon plasma coagulation therapy
  • Cryotherapy
  • Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy
  • Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscopy with transbronchial needle aspirate
  • Medical thoracoscopy and pleurodesis
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Pleural catheter placement
  • Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy
  • Definitive chemotherapy
  • NIH-supported clinical trials
  • Novel biologic and targeted therapies
  • Brachytherapy
  • Hyperfractionated radiation therapy
  • Image-guided radiation therapy
  • Stereotactic radiosurgery
  • Interventional CT and ultrasound-guided biopsy
  • PET/CT fusion imaging
  • Minimally-invasive video-assisted resection

Please call 781-504-9366 to schedule an appointment and for more information.

Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening takes just 15 minutes and requires a referral from your primary care provider.

Lung cancer is the number-one cancer killer in America, taking more American lives than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. Every year, 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer and 160,000 die from it. That’s 450 people a day.

Early detection can increase the five-year survival rate for stage 1 lung cancer to nearly 90%.

Lahey screens for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), which has been proven to find lung cancer at its earliest stages. It is the first and only cost-effective test shown to reduce lung cancer deaths.

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Lahey Medical Center, Peabody, have already screened 3,800 patients.

Lahey’s Expertise in Lung Cancer Screening

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center is a pioneer in the early detection of lung cancer and has the largest clinical lung cancer screening program in the country.

Call us (toll-free) at 855-CT-CHEST from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, to complete a screening questionnaire. If you qualify, you can schedule your lung cancer screening at either our Burlington or Peabody location.

Lahey was the first facility in the U.S. to be designated an accredited Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). In fact, we were used by the ACR as a model program and helped set those standards for others to follow.

A Pioneer in Lung Cancer Detection

Andrea McKee, MD, chair of radiation oncology at Lahey’s Sophia Gordon Cancer Center, is a highly regarded expert and pioneer in her field. She has earned national recognition for her work in advocating tirelessly for CT lung cancer screenings as a way to save lives.

Dr. McKee traveled to Washington, DC, to speak with lawmakers about the importance of these screenings and played a major role in persuading Medicare to cover the cost of screenings for people at high risk.

Dr. McKee serves as an expert medical advisor for the American Lung Association and is on the medical advisory board for the national Lung Cancer Alliance. She has conducted a number of cancer-related clinical trials at Lahey and has authored journal articles and op-ed pieces related to lung cancer and early detection.

See an op-ed coauthored by Dr. McKee entitled “A Cancer Battle We Can Win” that appeared in the New York Times.

Who Is Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening?

Lung cancer screening is quick and easy. You may qualify for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening if you meet all of these criteria:

  • Are between 50 and 80 years old
  • Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
  • Are a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
  • Have smoked the equivalent of at least one pack a day for 20 years

If you qualify, you will need a referral from your doctor in order to be screened. We are happy to help you obtain this referral.

Insurance Coverage for Lung Cancer Screenings

Medicare covers low-dose CT lung cancer screenings for people who meet the eligibility criteria, and the Affordable Care Act requires that private insurers cover CT lung screening for those at high risk.

At Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, we will work with you to determine the full extent of your coverage for this lifesaving screening.

Surviving Lung Cancer: Frank's Story