New technology at Springfield hospital detects lung cancer faster
In the U.S. alone, one in every five cancer deaths is related to lung cancer, which is more than other common cancers such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer.
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Now, a local hospital in Central Illinois is using new advanced robotic technology to catch it faster. The HSHS St. John's hospital in Springfield acquired the Machine-Ion Endoluminal System this past month and it's in operation. The hospital is the second to have the cutting edge technology in the Hospital Sister Health System after St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon got the technology earlier this year.
Dr. Ashish Tokhi, chief medical officer for HSHS Central Market, said most lung cancers are diagnosed late and this machine could change that and give patients more time to live.
'The five-year survival rate heavily depends on when the cancer is detected,' Tokhi said. 'So, the earlier we can detect it, the better the chances of survival and outcomes.'
This machine allows doctors to reach small areas of the lung nodules which are spot on the lung and collect a tissue sample, which is then analyzed to see if there are any cancer cells. It also provides 3D images, which is an upgrade from the old process that used only 2D imaging.
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Traditional methods used to diagnose lung cancer, such as CT-guided fine needle biopsies, remove small tissue for lab tests, but typical bronchoscopies are not able to reach small areas below three centimeters.
The Ion system can reach much smaller nodules and access all 18 segments of the lung, including the peripheral areas. It can even turn 180 degrees — something that wasn't possible with older methods.
This year, there could be about 226,650 new cases of lung cancer, with women accounting for more than men — 115,970 and 110,680 cases, respectively. However, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, men still have a higher incidence and mortality rate than women.
Tokhi said the Ion system could play a crucial role in bringing those numbers down.
'A good percentage of patients, by the time they start having symptoms and are diagnosed, the disease has already spread,' Tokhi said. 'The Ion technology gives us a substantial advantage in early detection of those nodules especially when it can save lives.'
The American Lung Association said that when cancer is detected early, a person has a 64% five-year survival rate, compared to just 9% if detected late.
The IDPH recommends that people between the ages of 50 to 80 who smoke often should get screened for lung cancer.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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