New Technology Enables Minimally Invasive Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy Procedures For Early Lung Cancer Detection At Avera St. Luke’s Hospital

April 1 marked the launch of Avera St Lukes Robotic bronchoscopy program, ushering in a new era of lung cancer detection and treatment. In conjunction with Dakota Pulmonary, the hospital now offers minimally invasive robotic-assisted procedures.

The Pulmonologist leading the program is Deptmer Ashley, MD. Dr. Ashley trained at The University of Texas and gained his experience with robotic assisted bronchoscopy at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where the technology has been used since 2019.

"In just the first few weeks we have identified stage one lung cancers early enough to treat with surgical resection. This gives the patients a 90% five-year survivability," said Dr. Ashley. In fact, the first robotic case identified stage 1 lung cancer. The program allows for early diagnostic confirmation and treatment which translates to better outcomes and survival rates.

This is a significant milestone in South Dakotas fight against lung cancer. Previously, patients with suspicious lung nodules faced prolonged periods of uncertainty as traditional methods necessitated extensive monitoring. With the implementation of this program, the timeline has been dramatically condensed, with many cases progressing from detection to diagnosis to treatment in a week.  In some instances, the turnaround time for St Lukes has been as swift as 18 hours.

“Lung cancer has a doubling time of 90 days,” explained Dr. Ashley. “Being able to bring the average detection to treatment timeframe from seven months to seven days has a significant impact on patient outcome.”

Central to this technological breakthrough is the Ion system, developed by Intuitive, renowned for its pioneering work in robotic-assisted surgery. The ultra-thin catheter and assisted guidance system enable access to remote lung tissue, inaccessible with conventional bronchoscopic procedures.

The American Lung Association asserts that lung cancer remains a significant public health concern, with a new diagnosis occurring every 2.5 minutes in the United States. Almost half of these cases will not be diagnosed until they are at an advanced stage. Dakota Pulmonary, in accordance with guidance from American Lung, advocates for Low Dose CT lung cancer screening among individuals aged 50-77 with a history of smoking, emphasizing the importance of early detection in improving patient outcomes.  Early detection combined with prompt diagnosis allow patients to rapidly receive personalized treatment plans dramatically improving survival rates.

“Once diagnosed locally, a treatment plan can be immediately put into place at Avera Cancer Institute Aberdeen. If a biopsy is negative, then we’ve given that patient an immediate peace of mind,” Dan Bjerknes, Avera St. Luke’s Regional President and CEO, said. “This is just another way we can ensure our patients receive the best care possible right here in our community.”

For more information on lung cancer screenings and treatment options, please visit Avera.org.