Franciscan Health Cancer Center Lafayette Enhances Lung Cancer Program With Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy

LAFAYETTE, Indiana - Patients in Lafayette now have the opportunity for earlier lung cancer diagnosis, thanks to the new Intuitive Surgical Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform recently installed at Franciscan Health Lafayette East. This new technology will enhance the comprehensive lung cancer program at the newly opened Franciscan Health Cancer Center Lafayette, providing earlier detection of lung cancer.

Research from the American Cancer Society states that more patients die from lung cancer annually than breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer combined, accounting for around 25 percent of all cancer deaths. However, when diagnosed in the earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is 92 percent.

Ion robotic bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows for a minimally invasive biopsy of a lung tumor. Guided by a physician, robotic bronchoscopy uses an ultra-thin catheter with a camera attached to pass through the airways to deeper segments of the lung than traditional needle biopsies, which often miss early cancer diagnoses.

"The Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform is a great resource for our lung cancer program at Franciscan Health Cancer Center Lafayette," said Terry Wilson, Franciscan Health Western Indiana president and CEO. "This cutting-edge procedure provides another tool to our outstanding multidisciplinary team can utilize to support our patients."

The efficiency of the tool helps lessen patient stress. The patient is able to receive the diagnosis and the stage of the cancer right away, saving time, and allowing the care team to formulate a treatment plan quicker. 

Performing the procedure at Franciscan Health Lafayette East are Franciscan Physician Network pulmonologists: Dr. Salim Abou Jaoude, Dr. Mazen Alakhras and Dr. Imad Khadra.

"The Ion platform offers the option to reach small nodules that are in the peripheral of the lung, without having to stick a needle from outside the lung, which can increase the risk of collapsing the lung and having complications," said Dr. Abou Jaoude. "Even small nodules, smaller than one centimeter, can be reached with ease with the Ion bronchoscope. It is very important to try to catch lung cancer early and the Ion platform provides that."

Not all biopsies come back malignant. But for those that do, Franciscan Health has a multidisciplinary lung cancer program that includes the pulmonologists, medical oncologists, a radiation oncologist, thoracic surgeons, nurse navigators, and genetic counselors.

Franciscan Health Indianapolis was the first hospital in the state to introduce robotic bronchoscopy in 2019. Franciscan Health Munster and Crown Point added the technology in 2022, followed by Franciscan Health Michigan City and Olympia Fields, Illinois in 2023.

Franciscan Health Lafayette was recently rated among the Top 10% in the Midwest for cancer care in 2024 by CareChex® Awards.

Learn more about the brand-new Franciscan Health Cancer Center Lafayette.