June 9, 2026

Study: Lung biopsy cryoprobe increases diagnostic yield over standard forceps

The FROSTBITE-2 trial used the 1.1-millimeter cryoprobe which, unlike the larger probes, is small enough to remove the biopsy specimen through the working channel without having to remove the scope, which increases safety.

By Jill Clendening

May 14, 2026

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center names co-leaders for Thoracic Oncology Program

Together, the co-leaders bring complementary expertise aimed at delivering the most innovative and advanced options for patients at all stages of lung and other thoracic cancers.

By Holly Fletcher

April 9, 2026

How robotic bronchoscopy helped a Georgia man avoid unnecessary lung surgery

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

By Jill Clendening

February 4, 2026

Clinical trial led by Vanderbilt Health seeks to refine lung cancer biopsy standards

The development of better biopsy approaches is driven by the fact that lung cancer kills more than 130,000 Americans annually, and survival depends on early diagnosis, which requires biopsy to be definitive.

By Jill Clendening

May 18, 2025

Study finds navigational bronchoscopy as effective and safer alternative to transthoracic biopsy for lung nodules  

Each year, millions of lung nodules are detected during routine X-rays or CT scans.

By Craig Boerner and Holly Fletcher 

October 26, 2017

Team to develop steerable robotic needle for biopsies

Collaboration between a mechanical engineer at Vanderbilt University and a pulmonologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has resulted in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant that will be used to develop a steerable robotic needle to safely biopsy hard-to-reach lung nodules.

By Kathy Whitney