Thoracic cancer comprises many different types of cancer that strike the thorax (chest region). Some types are common, such as lung cancer and esophageal cancer. Some, including mesothelioma, are rare.

Detailed information about the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers:

• Lung Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Mesothelioma

On this page: General information about thoracic cancer and the Thoracic Cancer Program at the University of Minnesota:

• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Clinical Trials
• Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program
• Care Team Members

Diagnosis

To diagnose and stage lung cancer and many different tumors of the chest region, the thoracic surgeons of University of Minnesota Physicians are now performing Endobronchial Ultrasonography (EBUS). EBUS is a new diagnostic tool that will add very significantly to the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer and other thoracic diseases. Learn more about EBUS on the University of Minnesota Physicians Web site.

Other methods to diagnose thoracic cancers include chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, transthoracic needle biopsy, cytology examination, and histologic pathology examination.

The stage of cancer depends on how big the primary tumor is, whether it invades surrounding tissues, and whether it spreads (metastasizes) to regional lymph nodes and remote sites.

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Treatment

Three major treatment options are common: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In most cases, a combination of two or three options will achieve the best result. Doctors determine a treatment plan based on the type, size, location, and stage of cancer, in consultation with the patient. 

Other types of treatment may also be available, such as photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. 

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Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are human research studies that evaluate the effectiveness of new interventions for patients. Such interventions have already been tested in laboratories and showed enough promise to be pursued further. 

Different types of cancer clinical trials include prevention trials, early detection trials, and treatment trials. If you take part in a clinical trial, you may benefit from a new drug, procedure, or symptom-control method while helping scientists evaluate its effectiveness.

The Thoracic Cancer Clinical Team of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center is actively engaged in both national and regional clinical trials for various thoracic cancers.

• Thoracic cancer trials available through Cancer Center
• All clinical trials available through the Masonic Cancer Center

Contact our program coordinator (Teri Kast, 612-273-5396) for more information about clinical trials.

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Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program

The University of Minnesota Cancer Center's Thoracic Oncology Program offers thoracic cancer patients a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treatment, and after-treatment support. 

This multidisciplinary program consists of specialists in thoracic surgery, oncology, radiotherapy, and pathology. These specialists meet weekly in the multidisciplinary thoracic oncology conference. They review information about all patients currently undergoing therapy at Fairview-University Medical Center and help determine the best treatment plan for each. 

Also available are smoking cessation programs; the Hospice Program, which provides supportive services to dying patients; and social work services for emotional support and counseling. 

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Care Team Members

The links below go to physician profiles on the University of Minnesota Physicians Web site. To return to this site, either bookmark this page or use your browser's back button.

General Thoracic and Minimally Invasive Surgery

Rafael Andrade, M.D.

Jonathon D'Cunha, M.D., Ph.D.

Michael Maddaus M.D.

Medical Oncology-Thoracic

Arkadiusz Dudek, M.D., Ph.D.

Mark Klein, M.D.

Robert Kratzke, M.D.

Priya Kumar, M.D.

Nauman Moazzam, M.D.

Radiation Oncology-Thoracic

Chinsoo Cho, M.D.

Pathology

Jose Jessurun, M.D.

Thoracic Oncology Nurse Coordinators

Teri Kast, M.S., R.N., A.O.C.N.S.
tkast@umphysicians.umn.edu, 612-273-5396

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