Banner – University Medical Center Tucson completes 300 biopsies with new Ion robotic bronchoscopy
From left, Madhav Chopra, MD, Billie Bixby, MD, and Darius Filsoof, MD, celebrate performing 300 biopsies in less than 14 months using the Intuitive Ion bronchoscopy by Intuitive.
Members of the Lung Nodule Program and Thoracic Oncology Program in the Banner – University Medical Center Tucson have completed more than 300 biopsies in less than 14 months using the newest technological innovation––a Ion robotic bronchoscopy by Intuitive that allows for a minimally invasive peripheral lung biopsy.
The early-stage biopsies improve the amount of early-stage lung cancer being removed, according to Billie Bixby, MD, University of Arizona clinical assistant professor and director of the Interventional Pulmonary Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine for Banner – University Medical Center in Tucson and Cancer Center member.
“This program is just getting started,” Bixby said. “We will have several more milestones as U of A, BUMCT and UACC change the landscape of the diagnosis and treatment of early and advanced lung cancer.”
Bixby said she looks forward to the robotic program’s program growth, which allows them to diagnose patients at earlier stages throughout the community.