These findings highlight the critical need for tumor genomic testing for all patients to identify those with high-risk tumors, which occur more frequently in Black women, and which require more aggressive treatment to prevent recurrence.

Oncologist Mohamed Shanshal, MD, said robotic bronchoscopy significantly improves getting patients the appropriate treatment as soon as possible, reducing their anxiety and improving care.

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and the Vanderbilt Lung Institute will host “The Future of Lung Cancer Care,” a one-day educational event scheduled for May 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University.

The highly personalized treatment is currently approved for patients with advanced stages of melanoma whose tumors have grown despite immunotherapies and/or targeted therapies.

Appealing to patients for its noninvasive nature, it avoids many of the traditional drawbacks of surgeries that use incisions, including pain management. 

After moving to Nashville in 2011, Sallie and John chose Vanderbilt Health for their care because they valued being part of a teaching hospital.

Cody Stubblefield, RN, OCN, works in the cancer infusion center at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. He is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.