Department of Thoracic Surgery Archives

September 24, 2014

Study finds accuracy of lung cancer imaging varies by region

A new analysis of published studies found that FDG-PET technology is less accurate in diagnosing lung cancer versus benign disease in regions where infections like histoplasmosis or tuberculosis are common.

By VUMC News and Communications

September 18, 2014

Grant spurs lung cancer surgery research

Joe B. (Bill) Putnam Jr., M.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and chair of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, and colleague Felix Fernandez, M.D., assistant professor of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, have received a grant to investigate the most effective forms of surgery to treat lung cancer patients.

By VUMC News and Communications

August 1, 2013

Study explores race differences of lung cancer risk

Vanderbilt research scientist Melinda Aldrich, Ph.D., MPH, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health Academic Career Award to investigate some of the genetic secrets behind a greater risk of lung cancer among African-Americans compared with other racial and ethnic groups.

By VUMC News and Communications

December 13, 2012

Study finds obesity increases time in OR for lung surgery

A new study led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators found that obese patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer spent more time in the operating room, adding to the nation’s health care bill.

By VUMC News and Communications

August 7, 2012

Ancestry impacts smoking risk for lungs

Smoking is more detrimental to lung function in individuals with high proportions of African ancestry.

By Leigh MacMillan

December 7, 2011

Lung nodule surgery not always “futile”

Even when lung operations for suspected cancer resection results in a benign diagnosis, there still may be significant benefits to the procedure, new research suggests.