MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Saddleback Medical Center Offers Next Generation Robotic Bronchoscopy for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer

MemorialCare Cancer Institute uses first-of-its-kind robotic navigated bronchoscopy for greater precision and accuracy.

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif., Aug. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MemorialCare Cancer Institute's Lung Cancer Program at Saddleback Medical Center is one of just four hospitals in California equipped with the recently FDA-cleared robotic navigated bronchoscopy system. This new device from NoahMed, Galaxy System, uses integrated tomosynthesis (3D mammography) to navigate to and locate lung nodules, which are small masses in the lungs often tested for cancer.

This improved visualization, along with a disposable bronchoscope, enhances precision and accuracy beyond the capabilities of existing technologies. It gives physicians access to often hard-to-reach lesions in the outer third of the lung which are often hard to biopsy. The Galaxy System can biopsy nodules smaller than 2cm, while receiving real-time lesion location updates.

"Lung cancer is an insidious disease causing far too high a toll on our communities," said Jayne Stewart, executive director, MemorialCare Cancer Institute, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "The Galaxy System gives physicians trained on the device a clear, direct path to improving patient diagnosis and, in turn, treatment –allowing us to catch lung cancer before it reaches less treatable, advanced stages. This new technology gives hope and peace of mind to our patients."

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country. Still, it can be difficult for physicians to properly find and biopsy lung nodules, delaying diagnosis and complicating treatment. The Galaxy System's "Tool-in-Lesion" TiLT⁺ Technology has been shown to achieve 100% successful navigation to a lesion, 100% diagnostic yield (every diagnostic test performed accurately identified the presence or absence of cancer), and 95% tool-in-lesion accuracy (Galaxy accurately reached the target lesion) according to the recent MATCH study publication. 

With its always-on-camera bronchoscope, direct visualization is enabled for the entire procedure, including the time of biopsy. The Galaxy System is the only robotic navigated bronchoscopy system on the market with a single-use, disposable bronchoscope, intentionally designed to improve efficiency and workflow and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

"This technology lets us see lung tissue clearly during biopsy and check areas that were hard to reach before," says Liz Acord, vice president, clinical integration, MemorialCare Cancer Institute. "This means we can find cancer earlier and save more lives. At MemorialCare Cancer Institute, we continuously invest in advanced technology to catch and treat cancer early."

MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center offers the latest in technology in lung navigation bronchoscopy to provide earlier diagnosis with greater confidence. Five doctors have been trained on this device, with four having completed cases. The Lung Program at Saddleback Medical Center provides a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled specialists who collaborate to design targeted, customized treatment plans for each patient, giving them access to specialists well beyond one aspect of their cancer.

About MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is a member of MemorialCare, a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare delivery system – proudly serving the residents of South Orange County for 50 years. Centers of Excellence include cancer, heart, orthopedics, spine, neurosciences, gastroenterology, emergency and critical care, breast health, imaging, women's health, obstetrics, geriatrics, and minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. Saddleback Medical Center received U.S. News & World Report high-performance rankings for cardiology, diabetes, knee replacement, and stroke to name a few.  It also was named among Healthgrades America's 250 Best Hospitals, Top 50 U.S. Cardiovascular Hospitals and received Magnet Nursing Excellence designation. In addition, it is a certified geriatric ED Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center and holds Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation. Currently, Saddleback is building the first of its kind Women's Health pavilion bringing women's specialty care under one roof, set to open in Fall 2024. To learn more, visit memorialcare.org/saddleback.

SOURCE MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center