MUSC’s Thoracic Surgery program is an innovative leader in treating cancer and other diseases of the chest.  In fact, our surgeons handle more esophageal and lung cancer cases than most medical centers in the Southeast.  They are also among the 15% of U.S. cardiothoracic surgeons who dedicate 100% of their practice to thoracic cases, enabling patients to receive the full benefit of their specialized skills.

Because MUSC’s Thoracic Surgery program handles such a high volume of cases, our patients generally have better outcomes.  The number of cases we see each year allows us to build a support team that ensures high quality care from a patient’s initial visit, through treatment and post-surgical follow-up.  In addition, our program provides:

• A dedicated thoracic operating room team
• Specialized cardiothoracic intensive care unit
• A designated thoracic patient care floor with around-the-clock coverage to speed recoveries
• Highly skilled nurses with extensive experience in treating diseases of the chest

We offer patients proven protocols as well as emerging treatments, such as clinical trial participation.  Our specialties include:

Lung cancer 
Esophageal cancer 
Mesothelioma 
Tracheal cancer 
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 
Achalasia (swallowing disorder) 
Sympathectomy (treatment for excessive sweating)

Multidisciplinary Team
One of the MUSC Thoracic Surgery program’s unique advantages is the ability to assemble a team of specialists in surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, radiology and pathology, along with nurses, dieticians and social workers.  This multidisciplinary team works together to provide an individualized treatment plan for each patient and collaborates closely as the patient undergoes diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

The MUSC Thoracic Surgery program is led by Carolyn E. Reed, M.D. Complete list of team members

Comprehensive Diagnostics
At the core of MUSC’s Thoracic Surgery program is our in-depth staging protocol, which determines the stage of the patient’s cancer and the optimal treatment.  Diagnostic staging procedures used include:

 CT and PET scans
 Endobronchial ultrasound
 Esophageal ultrasound
 Thorascoscopy
 Mediastinoscopy

Once the staging process is completed, the multidisciplinary team assembles to plan the details of the patient’s treatment.

Minimally Invasive Procedures
MUSC Thoracic Surgery offers patients many minimally invasive options that result in:

• Less pain
• Less detriment to lung function
• Faster recovery
• Shorter hospitalization
• Faster return to normal activity

We use a state-of-the-art technique known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) that enables the surgeon to see and work inside the chest with very small incisions and special instruments.  A small telescope, called a thoracoscope, is inserted through one incision to capture a clear image of the operating area.  The surgeon views this image on a video screen.  VATS has dramatically changed thoracic surgery by eliminating the need for completely opening the chest in appropriate procedures.