Thoracic Surgery

In This Section

Leading edge surgical treatment options for lung and esophageal cancers

WellSpan offers surgical treatment for cancers of the lungs, mediastinum (area between the lungs) and esophagus. Our multidisciplinary thoracic surgery team will care for you before, during and after cancer treatment.

WellSpan thoracic surgeons work in close collaboration with specialists in several other departments, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology and interventionalists.

The WellSpan thoracic surgery team works with you to complete a thorough assessment of your cancer and to craft a personalized treatment plan that matches your needs. Our goal is to effectively treat the cancer, while reducing your downtime so you can get back to enjoying your everyday life as soon as possible.

Our thoracic surgeons have trained in world-class thoracic surgery programs and have years of experience. WellSpan offers the most advanced technologies and procedures available today, including minimally-invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. These best-in-class treatments lead to reduced recovery time.

Conditions Treated

From early-stage tumors to highly advanced cancers, WellSpan Cancer Centers offer thoracic (chest) surgery for:

Esophageal cancer
Lung cancer
Cancer of the mediastinum (area between the lungs)

How We Can Help

WellSpan thoracic surgeons offer surgical options for cancers of the chest area. The main types of surgery we offer include:

Minimally invasive surgery: As an alternative to traditional “open” surgery, minimally invasive surgery usually reduces your recovery and downtime post-surgery.
Robotic-assisted surgery: Your surgeon may use tiny instruments attached to a specialized robot to assist in your surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery: Your surgeon may perform your thoracic surgery using a laparoscopic method, which involves making small incisions and using guided instruments to complete the surgery.
Endoscopic surgery: Your surgeon may perform your thoracic surgery using endoscopy, which involves making a small incision to insert a thin tube that contains a camera. The surgeon uses a specially-designed viewer to guide your surgery.

You can trust your WellSpan team to determine the best approach and treatment for your specific situation. Feel free to ask them any questions or raise any concerns that you may have about your diagnosis, treatment plan or aftercare.