Thoracic Clinic

The best experts focused on your care.

The diagnosis of lung cancer is both frightening and confusing. You and your family need answers and the best treatment options as quickly as possible.

Southcoast's multi-disciplinary Thoracic Clinic is designed to support lung cancer patients with streamlined diagnosis and treatment.

As with many types of cancer, there are differences in the treatment and management of lung malignancies.

Our dedicated clinic brings together many experts who focus on each patient to create an individualized, coordinated plan of care.

Free educational programs and support services are available to address the physical and psychological needs of patients and their families.

How does the clinic work?

Our clinic is conducted bi-weekly at our Centers for Cancer Care in Fall River. Our team reviews a patient's clinical tests and information in the morning and the patient and family are able to have a conference with the team that afternoon. This process helps streamlines both diagnosis and treatment.

We encourage physicians to refer patients as soon as a lung cancer diagnosis is suspected. Our clinic staff can coordinate all diagnostic testing, ensuring that patients undergo a complete and timely evaluation.

A whole team with one focus

Therese M. Mulvey, MD, Physician-In-Chief & Medical Oncologist, with Richard Miller, MD, Thoracic Surgeon

Studies have shown that a multidisciplinary approach is the gold standard for lung cancer treatment, and results in better outcomes for patients.

Our clinical team includes:

• Thoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists and pulmonologists.

• Oncology nurses, respiratory and radiation therapists.

• Social workers, nutritionists and dietitians.

• Patient navigator to coordinate all your care.

The patient and family, together with the primary and consulting physicians, are also critical members of our team.

The very latest treatment options

There have been significant developments in lung cancer treatment in recent years and we provide the very latest technology here at the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care.

Advanced care includes:

• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive approach to lung surgery performed by thoracic surgeons on our team.

• Stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment (SBRT), a new technology used in early stage lung cancers to reduce and often eradicate small malignancies without traditional surgery. This technology can be an excellent treatment option for patients who cannot tolerate traditional surgery and face poor prognosis with standard radiation therapy.

• Molecular diagnostic testing, which helps physicians pinpoint the most effective chemotherapy to best fight your individual type of cancer.