Robotic bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube inserted into the airways to diagnose lung conditions, including lung cancer. Also called Ion robotic bronchoscopy or robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, the robot connected to the flexible tube allows for improved accuracy and farther access to places deep in the lungs that can’t be reached with traditional bronchoscopy.
When a lung nodule or mass is found on an imaging test, this procedure is used to take tissue samples to determine the underlying cause, such as cancer or an infection. Especially in hard-to-reach small lung nodules, it gives your team the ability to biopsy and diagnose early-stage lung cancer when it is most treatable. Surgery or radiation can then be used to treat these early-stage lung cancers, with a much higher survival rate than more advanced lung cancers.
Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy enables providers to biopsy parts of the lung that were previously inaccessible using conventional bronchoscopy. It helps with the early diagnosis of lung cancers and, together with a procedure that looks at your airways called an endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy, it assists with staging lung cancer. This means you can expedite the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
Anyone who has a lung nodule found on an imaging test and needs a biopsy, even without lung cancer symptoms, may be eligible for robotic bronchoscopy for diagnosis. Before your procedure, your doctor will review your medical history and may perform additional tests to choose the right bronchoscopy option for you.
If you’ve been told you have a lung nodule that needs a closer look, ask your care team about your options for bronchoscopy, including robotic bronchoscopy.
Your care team will give you specific instructions about preparing for your robotic bronchoscopy, such as when to stop eating or taking certain medications as you’ll have general anesthesia, and plan for a support person to come with you to the hospital and drive you home.
Imaging tests are also an important part of preparing for a robotic bronchoscopy. Before your procedure, your care team will perform a special protocol CT scan of your chest to map out the exact location of the biopsy target in your lung. Imaging helps plan and guide the best route to reach the nodule during your procedure.
Robotic bronchoscopy tends to have fewer risks than more invasive surgical procedures and similar risks to a traditional bronchoscopy. Before your procedure, your doctor will discuss the potential risks and benefits. Some minor risks or temporary side effects could include sore throat, cough, hoarseness, bloody mucus, fever or nausea.
With our dedicated lung cancer care teams, you have options and experts on your side. From diagnostic technology like robotic bronchoscopy to minimally invasive surgical procedures to clinical trials, we give you access to complete care not found at every center.
Our teams of multiple specialists coordinate your care as one, helping expedite your treatment and reducing the challenges of navigating a cancer diagnosis. With highly trained and experienced specialists on the medical staff, including leaders in lung cancer, you have a range of options to fit your needs.
Baylor Scott & White has one of the largest networks of accredited cancer centers in the country. Many of our facilities are nationally known for their expertise in pulmonology, lung surgery, and cancer care.
