Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Kathy Leiser first heard about Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s lung cancer screening trial through a sponsorship ad on WPLN radio last summer. The Nashville office technology saleswoman and grandmother of three had stopped smoking in 2009, but she knew her smoking history put her at risk for lung cancer. So she enrolled in the screening trial, [...]

The first surgery Eric Grogan, M.D., and Matthew McGirt, M.D., performed together lasted 18 hours. Grogan, a thoracic surgeon, carefully cut away the baseball-sized lung tumor that had wrapped around patient Ronald Denton’s aorta, subclavian artery and esophagus and removed the upper lobe of the lung. After they worked together to remove three vertebrae that [...]

We hope you will join us for a town hall meeting about non-small cell lung cancer on March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Millenium Maxwell House Hotel on Rosa Parks Blvd. This activity is intended for oncologists, pathologists, pulmonologists, and other clinicians involved in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The forum [...]

The protein transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) can act as either a tumor suppressor or a tumor promoter depending on the stage of cancer. Loss of TGF-β’s tumor suppressor activity may play an important role in lung cancer progression. Pran Datta, Ph.D., and colleagues previously showed that this loss of responsiveness to TGF-β occurs mainly [...]

As part of the Vanderbilt Cancer Wellness Program, Zachary Klint, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator, explains why pulmonary rehabilitation is helpful for those going through lung cancer treatments as well as heart conditions. The program teaches you about your lungs, how to exercise and do activities without becoming short of breath. Learn more about the [...]

For decades, cancers have been treated based on how they look under a microscope. Now, researchers know that specific abnormalities in the DNA of tumor cells can make each person’s cancer respond differently to treatment — knowledge that offers an exciting new avenue for tailored therapy. Personalizing cancer treatment for an individual patient based on [...]

The gold standard for definitive diagnosis of a lung nodule is surgical removal (resection). However, between 10 percent and 30 percent of suspicious nodules are benign. Because thoracic operations are highly invasive and pose significant risks, these operations have been labeled “unnecessary” or “futile.” Eric Grogan, M.D., M.P.H., and colleagues report that, even when surgical [...]

Cancer patients who are undergoing treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy expect to experience side effects like nausea, fatigue and possible hair loss. But they may not realize that those treatments can cause additional side effects like dry skin, rashes and complexion changes. To help patients cope with these hair and skin issues, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer [...]

Dr. William Pao, director of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, explains what personalized cancer medicine means for the future of lung cancer treatment. Learn more about Personalized Cancer Medicine.  

Are you currently going through lung cancer or pancreatic cancer treatment or have completed therapy? Jay Groves, administrative director at Vanderbilt Dayani Center, describes the new Vanderbilt Cancer Wellness Program. This program promotes the health and wellbeing of those touched by cancer through interactive, individualized and comprehensive services that complement your standard of care. Learn [...]