Mount Nittany Health Now Offering Robotic Bronchoscopy for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Centre County patients now have access to state-of-the-art technology for early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Mount Nittany Health is the seventh medical center in the United States to utilize the Noah Galaxy system, a robotic bronchoscopy platform that locates lung nodules with greater precision and accuracy, according to a news release.

“This technology provides local access to innovative care for patients in the Centre Region,” Dr. Gregory Ruff, pulmonary medicine specialist at Mount Nittany Health, said. “With the Noah Galaxy System, we now can confidently approach pulmonary nodules measuring 8 to 20 mm. Previously, these patients would have needed CT-guided biopsies which result in a higher risk of a collapsed lung, continued radiographic surveillance, surgery without a definitive diagnosis or other treatments without the precise knowledge of the nature of the disorder.”  

The system allows providers to diagnose and treat lung nodules sooner. Its single-use bronchoscope, the first of its kind in robotic bronchoscopy, also reduces the risk of infection.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

“Early diagnosis of lung cancer offers patients the best opportunity for cure and long-term survival,” Ruff said. “We have been very pleased with the experience and results of using the Noah Galaxy robotic system. We now have the ability to biopsy lesions that were previously inaccessible.  We have been able to refer patients early for surgical resection as well as early radiation therapy in anticipation of curative therapy.”

For more information about Mount Nittany Health Pulmonary Medicine or to schedule an appointment, call (814) 231-7888.