Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) for Lung Cancer

During video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), a surgeon uses a small camera to guide the removal of a tumor from the chest cavity. This approach is less invasive than other thoracic surgery techniques, such as making an incision in the chest wall to access the lungs. As a result, VATS is associated with lower complication rates and shorter recoveries than many other types of thoracic surgery.

At Moffitt Cancer Center, several different procedures can be performed with video assistance. For instance, our surgeons can:

• Remove a small tissue sample (biopsy) to test for the presence of cancer
• Remove a cancerous lobe of a lung
• Remove fluid from the pleural space surrounding the lungs

The surgeons at Moffitt have extensive experience in performing complex surgeries to treat many types of cancer, including minimally invasive procedures with video assistance. Additionally, we have a team of surgeons who specialize exclusively in lung cancer treatment; this allows patients who turn to us for VATS or other related procedures to work with some of the most experienced professionals in the field. And, to continue to improve our patients’ outcomes and quality of life, we routinely develop and implement newer – and more effective – surgical procedures through our robust clinical trials program. For our groundbreaking efforts, we have been named a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.

To learn more about video assisted thoracic surgery or any of the other procedures offered at Moffitt, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online. No referral is required to consult with our experienced surgeons.