Thoracic surgeons at RUSH are nationally recognized leaders in both minimally invasive and traditional approaches to diagnosing and treating cancer and other disorders of the lungs, esophagus, pleura, chest wall and mediastinum. The expertise of our physicians — with over five decades of collective experience — enables us to offer personalized patient care with highly effective, individualized treatments.
Our surgeons take a team-based approach by working closely with colleagues in gastroenterology, oncology, pulmonology, radiation oncology, ENT and primary care to ensure that patients receive comprehensive, innovative and supportive care. They also offer a number of clinical trials that can make treatment options available to patients that they may not find anywhere else.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for Treatment at RUSH?
Any patient who needs thoracic surgery, including those looking for a first or second opinion, will find treatment and diagnostics at RUSH that rank among the nation’s best.
Our thoracic care team can address conditions at all stages, from prevention and early-stage cancer care to treatment for later-stage cancers. The most common patient need is for lung resection to address lung nodules and tumors.
Why Refer Patients Here?
Nationally recognized clinical care: U.S. News & World Report includes RUSH University Medical Center on its 2023-24 Best Hospitals Honor Roll and ranks the RUSH pulmonology and lung surgery program No. 20 in the nation. RUSH has also repeatedly received the highest rating possible of 3 stars for lobectomy outcomes by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. This honor is given to only the top 5% of thoracic surgery programs in the United States and Canada.
High volumes, excellent outcomes: We perform hundreds of lung surgeries each year and have the most experience in Chicago using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted surgery, minimally invasive surgical approaches to diagnose and treat lung cancer and other thoracic conditions. Patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery at RUSH generally go home within two days.
Experts in minimally invasive techniques: Our surgeons are experts in the use of Ion robotic bronchoscopy, a biopsy technique especially effective for addressing peripheral lung nodules that allows patients to go home the same day. They also perform 92.4% of lobectomies for stage I lung cancer in a minimally invasive fashion, compared to less than 60% nationally.
Immediate access for your patients: Our patient navigators and care coordinators are able to book an appointment for your patient within seven days of receiving a referral and, in most cases, within 48 hours. We offer convenient locations around Chicago and provide in-person consultations, video visit consultations and multidisciplinary conferences.
What is the process for referring a patient?
To refer a patient or request a consult, call (312) 942-6642. Visit our page on Referring and Transferring Patients for more details and to find a provider referral form.
Referring physicians can expect personal, prompt communication with surgeons and their teams through every step of patients’ care.
Conditions We Treat
- Achalasia
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Benign tumor
- Chest wall tumors
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal strictures
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hemothorax
- Hyperhidrosis
- Lung cancer
- Lung nodules
- Mediastinal masses
- Mediastinal tumor
- Mesothelioma
- Myasthenia gravis
- Paraesophageal hernias
- Pectus excavatum
- Pleural effusion
- Pleurisy
- Pneumothorax
- Subglottic stenosis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Tracheal tumors
- Tuberculosis (TB)
Treatments and Tests Offered
- Bronchoscopy
- Decortication
- Diaphragmatic plication
- Endobronchial ultrasound
- Esophagoscopy
- Lobectomy, segmentectomy, and bilobectomy
- Wedge resection
- Magnetic sphincter augmentation (LINX Procedure)
- Mediastinoscopy
- Nissen fundoplication
- Pericardial window
- Pneumonectomy
- Robotic surgery
- Stent replacement
- Sympathectomy
- Reconstructive surgery
- Robot-assisted thoracic surgery
- Thoracotomy
- Tracheal resection
- Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
- Tube thoracostomy
- Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery (VATS)
