Dr. Ivanick on Advances in Interventional Pulmonology

Nathaniel Ivanick, MD, FCCP, assistant professor of oncology, thoracic surgeon, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses advancements in interventional pulmonology.

In the past several years, the field of interventional pulmonology has witnessed significant growth, Ivanick explains. Diagnostically, the development started with the integration of conventional bronchoscopy, which allowed for further examination of lesions. This was followed by radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial cryobiopsy wherein the centers of peripheral lesions could be assessed, greatly increasing diagnostic accuracy for patients, Ivanick says.

Following these advancements was the integration of navigational bronchoscopy and robotic navigational bronchoscopy. These technologies allowed providers to adequately biopsy lesions that were previously too small or in peripheral areas to be tested, Ivanick says.

In addition to diagnostic advances, therapeutic development with microwave ablation and photodynamic therapy could emerge into mainstream clinical practice within the next 5 years, Ivanick concludes.