I am a surgeon with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic cancers (cancers of the chest). These include lung cancer, mesothelioma, thymoma, mediastinal and chest wall tumors. I also specialize in cancers that have spread to the lung and pleura (layers of protective tissue that surround the lungs).
I see approximately 600 patients annually and have been caring for people with thoracic cancers for the past 15 years. I have expertise in the workup needed for the early diagnosis and accurate staging of thoracic cancers. For this, I use endoscopic methods such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), robotic bronchoscopy, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
When newly diagnosed patients and their family members first meet me in the clinic, they are anxious. They can be overwhelmed by finding a treatment that will give them the best results and prevent the cancer from coming back. I take the time to explain the key factors that are driving the disease. We also discuss possible treatment options, the risks and benefits, and the expected short-term and long-term outcomes.
I like patients and family members to be reassured that we are considering every possible therapy and that we are focused on their quality of life. My goal is to help them feel confident in their care and be certain that we will treat them as a whole person — someone with a family, a job, and a desire not to be defined by their cancer diagnosis.