Conditions
At Thoracic Group, our experienced surgeon provides consultation and surgical management of a number of conditions and diseases ranging from lung cancer to hyperhidrosis. A brief summary of the conditions we treat is listed below. More detailed information is available by clicking on the condition.
Thoracic Group Treats:
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancers in the United States for both men and women. More common in former or current smokers, the disease has various subtypes that impact subsequent treatment and prognosis. When the disease is found at an early stage, the treatment has the greatest chance of efficacy, making lung cancer screening an important health check for patients at risk.
Lung Nodule
A lung nodule, also known as a pulmonary nodule, is a small growth in the lung that can be oval or round in shape. Lung nodules can be malignant or benign. The majority of lung nodules that are less than 2 centimeters in diameter are benign. Benign nodules can be caused by infections, a variety of benign neoplasms, and some autoimmune disorders. In most scenarios, patients with lung nodules have no symptoms, making early detection difficult.
Hyperhidrosis
This condition is characterized by abnormal amounts of perspiration, which do not correlate with regulation of body temperature. Patients with this condition sweat in areas including the palms, soles of the feet, face, and underarms. It can be physically and psychologically debilitating. When the condition is specifically isolated to the palms, a minimally invasive surgical correction, known as a VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) sympathectomy, can eliminate the problem.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that arises from a type of cells known as mesothelial cells that line the body cavities. More than 70 percent of diagnosed cases are pleural (lining of the chest cavity), 20 percent peritoneal (lining of the abdominal cavity), 10 percent pericardial (the sac surrounding the heart) and less than one percent testicular. It usually begins as discrete plaques and nodules that coalesce to produce a sheet-like neoplasm.
Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigability. The muscle weakness is most frequently caused by antibodies that interfere with acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junctions. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that functions to activate muscles. When the receptor sites are blocked, muscle activation cannot perform normally.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax is the abnormal presence of air in the space between the lungs and the chest cavity (known as the pleural space), which can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the respective lung.