Thinking Thoracic Co-host Dr. Erin Gillaspie talks with Dr. Stephen Liu,  associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University and head of Developmental Therapeutics at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, about the surgeon's role in navigating the biomarker space and working collaboratively with oncology colleagues.  Listen today. 

40 min.

CHICAGO – April 10, 2025 – A new study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the flagship journal from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, suggests that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has significantly improved access to timely treatment and high-volume hospitals for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These findings underscore the critical role of healthcare policy in delivering quality oncologic care.

Apr 10, 2025
A full-day symposium in association with TÓRAX 2025 – XXIV Congress of the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery
Event dates
May 10, 2025
Location
Recife Expo Center, Brazil

In this episode of Thinking Thoracic, co-host Dr. Jeff Yang welcomes Dr. Gavitt Woodard and Dr. Christopher Seder to discuss their recent research on lobectomy versus sublobar resection for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Their studies, leveraging data from The STS General Thoracic Surgery Database, provide insights into the long-term survival outcomes of these surgical approaches.

45 min.

In this episode of Thinking Thoracic, Dr. Jane Yanagawa talks with Dr. Olujimi Ajijola, UCLA Health, about cardiac sympathetic denervation. They cover the basics, such as indications for CSD, and the latest advances to make surgery less invasive. The focus is on patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias for whom none of the conventional therapies available are effective. Listen today.

30 mins

In this episode, hear from Thinking Thoracic cohosts, Drs. Erin Gillaspie, Hari Keshava, Jeff Yang, and Jane Yanagawa as they participate in a sublobar debate on extent of resection from the 2025 STS Annual Meeting in LA. Are you Team Wedge or Team Segment? Gain unique perspectives and best practices from these experts on the extent of resection and quality metrics in lung cancer care, as well as other changing trends. 

30 mins

LOS ANGELES—January 26, 2025—As contemporary surgical practice continues to evolve, patients who undergo surgical lung volume reduction (LVRS) for advanced emphysema may survive longer and with fewer complications than they did in the past—and they may even fare better than those who opt for endobronchial valve (EBV) placement.

Jan 26, 2025

Reassessing Efficacy: Understanding Failures in Lung Cancer Screening Despite Low-Dose CT Protocol Adherence, a study presented at the 2025 STS Annual Meeting by Case Western Reserve University medical student Victoria Shiqi Wu, analyzes clinical and demographic factors contributing to lung cancer deaths among patients undergoing low-dose CT (LDCT) screening. Despite the substantial benefits of LDCT in detecting lung cancer early, some patients still succumb to the disease, raising important questions about the effectiveness of current screening approaches for certain populations.

The study utilized data from the National Lung Screening Trial, examining 16,081 patients with negative (normal) initial LDCT scans. Screening success was defined as either remaining cancer-free or surviving lung cancer. Screening failure was characterized by:

•    Receiving three negative scans but dying of lung cancer.
•    Being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
•    Having a positive scan but still succumbing to the disease.
 

Key Findings

Out of the total cohort, 98.1% (15,775 patients) experienced screening success. Among the 306 patients diagnosed with lung cancer, 33.3% had successful outcomes, while 66.6% faced screening failure.

The study identified several factors significantly associated with screening failure, including:

  • Age over 70: Patients in this age group faced a 2.65 times higher risk (95% CI: 1.66-4.12).
  • Male sex: Male patients were 1.56 times more likely to experience failure (95% CI: 1.13-2.17).
  • Current smoking: Smokers had a 2.03 times higher likelihood of screening failure (95% CI: 1.52-2.73).
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Patients with COPD had 2.20 times the risk (95% CI: 1.35-3.46).
  • Emphysema and sarcoidosis: Patients with these conditions faced elevated risks, with sarcoidosis showing an especially strong association (OR=7.99; 95% CI: 1.24-29.0).
  • Firefighting work: Although less common, individuals in this occupation showed higher failure odds (OR=2.14; 95% CI: 0.99-4.07).
    Implications

The findings underscore the need for tailored interventions to improve LDCT screening outcomes for high-risk populations. Enhanced strategies may include:

•    Developing personalized screening protocols.
•    Implementing more aggressive smoking cessation programs.
•    Increasing surveillance for patients with comorbidities like COPD and emphysema.
 

The study highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of LDCT screening and targeting vulnerable groups to maximize its lifesaving potential. By addressing the identified risk factors, healthcare providers can take meaningful steps toward reducing lung cancer mortality.

 

Jan 25, 2025
2 min read

LOS ANGELES—January 25, 2025 New research presented at the 2025 Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Annual Meeting reveals that anatomic lung resections, such as lobectomy and segmentectomy, are associated with improved long-term survival compared to wedge resection for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Jan 25, 2025

At the 2025 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting, researchers will unveil a late-breaking study exploring the long-term survival outcomes of different surgical approaches for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The analysis leveraged the robust STS General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD), combined with long-term follow-up data, to evaluate the effectiveness of anatomic lung resections versus alternative techniques.

The study, to be presented by Dr. Christopher Seder, Rush University Medical Center, examined data from more than 32,000 patients, provides valuable real-world insights that complement existing randomized controlled trials, offering a comprehensive perspective on how surgical decisions influence outcomes over time. With findings drawn from diverse healthcare settings, this research underscores the potential of leveraging large-scale databases to refine treatment strategies and optimize patient care.

The STS GTSD remains a leading resource for capturing detailed surgical and patient data, driving advancements in cardiothoracic surgery. This latest study adds to its legacy by highlighting the importance of integrating real-world evidence into clinical practice.

 

Jan 24, 2025
1 min read

In today’s presentation of the Clark Memorial Paper for General Thoracic Surgery, Lobectomy versus Sublobar Resection Among Lung Cancer Patients Understudied in Recent Clinical Trials, Gavitt Woodard, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Yale Medicine, will discuss the findings of a comprehensive evaluation of lung cancer surgery outcomes.

This study examined survival outcomes across groups to determine whether the trial’s results are widely applicable to a broader population, including older patients, those with reduced pulmonary function, and non-smokers.

Researchers analyzed data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database, linking it with Medicare survival data to evaluate patient outcomes. The study included a diverse group of patients who underwent different surgical resections, including lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resection.

“The study found that sublobar resection and lobectomy offer similar survival outcomes for many patients, including those over 75, with poor lung function, or who are lifelong nonsmokers,” said Dr. Woodard. "Inadequate lymph node evaluation during sublobar resection was associated with worse survival. These findings highlight the need for better nodal assessment, particularly for patients with compromised lungs or minimal lymph node spread."

 

Jan 23, 2025
1 min read

On day three of the STS 2025 Annual Meeting, Dr. Jeremiah Hayanga, professor of thoracic surgery, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, West Virginia University, will present a session titled, Endobronchial Valve Therapy (EVT) versus Lung Volume Reduction Survey (LVRS) in the US. In this presentation, Dr. Hayanga and his research team will share new, risk-adjusted study results that provide fresh insights into treatments for severe emphysema.

Recent findings suggest that as surgical practices evolve, LVRS may offer better long-term results for patients with advanced emphysema compared to EBV therapy. Although EBV patients had shorter hospital stays, lower charges, and fewer pre-existing conditions, the study revealed they experienced more complications and a higher risk of death over time than those who underwent LVRS.

To be held Sunday, Jan. 25, at 8 a.m. during the larger “Modernized Solutions for Lung Failure, From Bench to Bedside” session, Dr. Hayanga will also discuss the limitations of lung transplantation as a solution for severe emphysema due to the shortage of donor organs. 

“Surgical lung volume reduction, explored in the late 1990s, did not gain widespread acceptance due to its associated risks and the small pool of patients who were thought to benefit,” says Dr. Hayanga. “However, with advancements in surgical techniques and risk management, LVRS has seen improved outcomes, offering hope for patients who are not candidates for lung transplants.”

Jan 20, 2025
1 min read