The Center for Thoracic Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital consists of a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to providing evaluation of and treatment for patients with a thoracic malignancy, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymoma, or chest wall tumors. Patients in Connecticut and beyond have access to nationally recognized expert clinicians, who provide an organized, collaborative approach to cancer care, as well as the latest technologies and treatments. Our team consists of a collaboration of specialty physicians, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, digestive diseases, pathology, diagnostic imaging, and nursing. In addition to our expert clinicians, patients also receive comprehensive care to help with the physical, emotional, and psychological issues that are part of confronting cancer. Patients also benefit from the attention of the team's care coordinators, who make management of even the most detailed multidisciplinary treatment plan less complicated. Our team is active in clinical research, and focuses on developing advances to care in areas of thoracic oncology where the standard treatment needs improvement and where the optimal treatment approach remains unclear. To provide the best care, most of our patients are enrolled in a clinical trial where they can receive innovative therapy for their advanced disease, including immunotherapy, which was first used in clinical trials at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Medical Oncology Our medical oncologists are nationally recognized for their leadership and expertise in lung cancer treatment and research, and are dedicated to offering personalized treatment options. Biomarker testing is often performed on the tumor to look for specific mutations that can be targeted by medication. There are currently FDA-approved lung cancer treatments for tumors showing abnormalities in EGFR, KRAS, ALK, ROS1, BRAF V600E, MET, RET , and NTRK genes. Recent studies conducted at Yale have led to FDA approval of drugs for the treatment of lung cancer, such as the immunotherapy drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab), which has been proven to improve patient survival for newly diagnosed NSCLC. This drug is designed to block PD-L1, a protein that was discovered by scientists at Yale and that has been instrumental in improving survival for lung cancer patients. Another FDA-approved drug, osimertinib, which stemmed from Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital researchers, was approved for the treatment of adults with early-stage NSCLC with EGFR gene mutations. Surgery Many patients in need of surgery are referred for a minimally invasive surgery known as a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), which is done through several small incisions—rather than a major chest incision—and requires no rib-spreading. Most lung cancer patients in need of surgery at Smilow Cancer Hospital are scheduled for a VATS proce

The Smilow Cancer Hospital Lung Cancer Screening Program is a multidisciplinary program that provides lung cancer screening to patients at risk for lung cancer. Our program has a coordinated approach that offers a complete and seamless screening process. Our team includes world-recognized pulmonologists (doctors who treat diseases of the respiratory system), specialized chest radiologists (doctors with advanced skills in reading CT scan images of the lung), thoracic surgeons and thoracic oncologists (doctors who treat lung cancer), tobacco/smoking cessation counselling specialists, and specialized nurse practitioners. Our goal is to provide lung cancer screening in the context of a care process that takes patients from risk assessment to screening to resulting and referral, if needed. Should an abnormal finding be identified, our team will guide and support our patients through next steps. Our program is comprehensive and coordinated, and provides the patient with access to a specialized, expert team of caregivers. Our processes are efficient and seamless. Additionally, our team has the knowledge, experience, and compassion to provide patients with the best lung cancer screening experience. Because of this, our team is available to guide patients throughout the screening process and beyond, if needed. Whether it’s an annual follow-up scan or further evaluation, we have the people and resources to care for each patient. Our team uses nationally established guidelines to care for our patients. Our tobacco treatment services are available in person or via telehealth visits. Read our list of frequently asked questions regarding lung cancer screening . National Cancer Institute: Lung Cancer Screening Lung Cancer Prevention National Lung Screening Trial National Lung Screening Trial - Questions and Answers Lung Cancer Screening (PDQ)- Patient Version Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.gov): NCA - Screening for Lung Cancer with Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society Guidelines on Lung Cancer Screening Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention Should I Screen (Created by the University of Michigan- NEJM, 368 (8): 728-736, 2013.) Should I Screen: Lung cancer screening decision aid United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) A & B Recommendations

Established in 2006, the Survivorship Clinic at Smilow Cancer Hospital was the first dedicated, multidisciplinary resource for cancer survivors in Connecticut to provide patients and their families with vital information on cancer prevention, wellness, supportive services, and the latest health research related to cancer survivorship. The Smilow Cancer Hospital Survivorship Clinic has a team of leading clinicians who educate survivors on the prevention, detection, and treatment of complications resulting from cancer treatment. Patients are counseled by a medical oncologist, a nurse practitioner, a registered dietitian, a physical therapist, and a clinical social worker. A survivorship coordinator supports cancer survivors throughout their visit and follow-up consultations. Prior to the clinic visit, the team reviews the patient’s past cancer diagnosis and treatment history. On the day of the visit, patients discuss their concerns with the providers. This information helps the team design an individualized treatment summary and survivorship care plan for each patient with customized recommendations in the following areas: Surveillance and screening guidelines and medical provider identification Wellness education tailored to cancer type and treatment history Psychosocial support for survivors and their families Nutritional counseling Exercise and fitness recommendations At the conclusion of the visit, patients leave with a written plan tailored to their specific needs and concerns. A copy of this plan is also sent to their referring physician or primary caregiver. Support Services Patients also have the opportunity to receive the following referral-based services: Genetic counseling Community mental health providers Integrative medicine resources including reiki, massage, etc. Neurocognitive assessment Sexual health Tobacco treatment Referrals to community exercise programs and physical therapy Virtual Cancer Survivors' Celebration