Virtua Health has introduced a new robotic platform for minimally invasive lung biopsies aimed at helping doctors detect cancer earlier and more accurately in South Jersey, according to a Patch report by Karen Wall. The health system said it is the first in New Jersey to use the Ion endoluminal system at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden and Virtua Vorhees Hospital.
The technology allows physicians to reach small, hard-to-access nodules deep in the lungs through the airways, using a robotic-assisted catheter and advanced imaging. Virtua said this can improve the ability to biopsy suspicious lung spots that may otherwise be difficult to access with traditional methods. By getting tissue samples sooner and with greater precision, doctors may be able to diagnose lung cancer at earlier stages and begin treatment more quickly.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths, and early detection is critical because survival rates are higher when the disease is found before it spreads. Virtua officials said the new system is part of the organization’s broader effort to expand access to advanced cancer care and improve outcomes for patients across the region.
The Patch article explains that the robotic bronchoscopy platform is designed to support pulmonologists in navigating the lungs with more control and stability. It may also reduce the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures in some cases. Virtua emphasized that the addition of this technology reflects continued investment in innovative tools for cancer detection and treatment.
Source: Karen Wall, Patch
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https://patch.com/new-jersey/cherryhill/virtua-introduces-new-robotic-cancer-treatment-nj
