Methodist Medical Center has a dedicated clinic for lung cancer and other cancers in the chest.

The Comprehensive Chest Clinic of East Tennessee attracts patients from around the region because of its expertise. One of only a few programs of its type in America, the clinic has a specific mission:

To reduce the time between finding what may be cancer in the chest and completing the patient’s evaluation and diagnosis. The idea is to start treatment as soon as possible.

Comprehensive approach

The clinic takes a comprehensive approach to chest care. We pool the skill and expertise of Methodist Medical Center doctors whose specialty is treating chest diseases and cancer. They include pulmonologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists and radiologists.

Ideally, within one week of diagnosis patients will meet all the doctors who will be providing their care.

Patients realize important benefits from this system, including:

• Easier referrals and access to treatment
• Better coordination of care
• The potential for improved outcomes

How it works

A primary physician may refer a patient to the Comprehensive Chest Clinic after detecting an abnormality on a chest x-ray or CT.

The patient’s first appointment through the clinic is typically with a lung specialist, called a pulmonologist, who examines the abnormality in question and evaluates for further testing to make a diagnosis.

If the pulmonologist diagnoses cancer, the patient may be referred to a thoracic surgeon and/or cancer specialist. These professionals will determine whether the patient needs surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.

Communication is key to success. Methodist Medical Center physicians evaluate the best care options and discuss them all with the patient and family. Healing is truly a team effort.