Allegheny Health Network First in Region to Use Ion Robotic Lung Biopsy System, Advancing Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is the first health care provider in the Pittsburgh region to offer patients access to the Ion robotic lung biopsy system, an innovative new technology that can help physicians diagnose cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most curable.

The Ion Endoluminal System by Intuitive is a robotic-assisted technology for minimally invasive lung biopsies. Its ultra-thin catheter, maneuverability and stability allows doctors to reach peripheral areas of the lung that cannot be readily accessed with traditional biopsy methods.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States, and more than half of diagnoses are made after the disease has spread to other parts of the body” said Benny Weksler, MD, System Director of General Thoracic Surgery at AHN. “Advances such as the Ion Endoluminal System are critically important in helping us diagnose cancer early, giving patients their best chance of a good outcome.”

The 5-year survival rate for people with all types of lung cancer is less than 20 percent, according to the American Lung Association. For disease that has not spread beyond the lungs, the five-year survival rate is about 56 percent.

Doctors recommend a biopsy in order to confirm a lung cancer diagnosis. When the suspected cancer is located deep in the patient’s peripheral lung, traditional biopsy methods such as bronchoscopy can’t navigate the narrow airways to reach the spot.

“Not only does the Ion system let us access hard-to-reach tumors, it’s a less invasive option than prior biopsy methods,” Dr. Weksler said. “We can make a diagnosis by sampling tissue from small nodules located in the far reaches of the lung. By catching these small cancers, we can provide effective interventions and increase survival rates.”

The catheter is typically inserted through a patient’s mouth. It can maneuver 180 degrees in all directions, through tiny airways and around tight bends. Once the target nodule is reached, the catheter locks into place to provide the stability needed for precise placement of biopsy tools.

AHN joins other leading cancer centers nationwide, including Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Mayo Clinic in offering the Ion robotic lung biopsy option to patients.