Florida Hospital Thoracic Cancer Program »

Lung Cancer Clinic

Each year more than 200,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer. However, despite the serious nature of lung cancer, the prognosis for beating it is much better than it was even five years ago, thanks to early detection efforts and new treatment strategies.

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Esophageal Cancer Clinic

Esophageal cancer accounts for more than 16,000 new cases each year. Thanks to improved treatments and early intervention, the survival rates for esophageal cancer have improved greatly since the 1960s when only a small percentage of people with the disease survived more than five years.

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Mesothelioma Clinic

Most mesotheliomas begin in the chest cavity. Though fairly rare, there are still about 2,000 to 3,000 new cases each year, primarily in men over 65. Early detection and intervention by doctors at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute's thoracic program is essential in treating the disease.

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Lung Nodule Clinic

The presence of lung nodules does not automatically signal that you have cancer. Benign nodules can actually be quite common. To ensure that the nodules aren't cancerous, doctors at FHCI will monitor changes in size, shape or appearance through regular tests.

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Uncommon Malignancies Clinic

Rare forms of cancer include carcinoid tumors, mediastinal tumors and thymoma. Each of these presents unique challenges that doctors at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute address with a broad range of traditional and leading edge treatment strategies.

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Who We Are

Sigfredo Aldarondo, MD

Learn more about the role of the pulmonologist in the treatment of thoracic cancer.

Jose Nieto, DO

Learn more about the role of the gastroenterologist in the treatment of thoracic cancer.

Tarek Mekhail, MD

Learn more about the role of the medical oncologist in the treatment of thoracic cancer.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

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Because mesothelioma may have no symptoms until the later stages, it's imperative that you have regular checkups with your doctor. Depending on your family history, work history and examinations, you may be advised to have more extensive testing at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute (FHCI).

Some of the tests and procedures used include:

Physical Exam: During a routine exam your doctor can check your general health as well as signs of disease. Your family history and work history will also prove valuable, especially if you have worked with asbestos or have had a history of certain illnesses.
Chest x-ray: A radiographic test that uses a small amount of radiation to take a "picture" that looks at the structures in your chest. Initial signs of mesothelioma may be visible the chest X-ray.
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: A series of more detailed pictures or images are made of the chest. The presence of mesothelioma, as well as other abnormalities in the chest may be identified.
Biopsy: Cells or tissue is removed from the pleura or peritoneum so they can be reviewed under a microscope by a pathologist for signs of cancer. Procedures used to collect this material includes:
- Fine-needle (FNA) aspiration biopsy of the lung - a small incision is made in the skin so the biopsy needle can be inserted directly into the abnormal tissue or fluid.
- Thorascopy - a small incision is made between two ribs and a thorascope is inserted into the chest so the surgeon can view the area directly and remove tissue if needed.
- Thoracotomy - An incision made between two ribs allow doctors to check the inside of the chest area for signs of the disease.
Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth and into the trachea and lungs. The scope not only allows the oncologist to view the area in real time on a monitor, but retrieve tissue that can be examined further in the lab for signs of cancer.
Cytologic exam: Fluid that is taken from around the lungs or from the abdomen is examined under a microscope to see if there are signs of abnormalities that may indicate mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Staging

Staging mesothelioma can be complex. However, the professionals at FHCI are skilled in staging methodologies and can accurately stage your cancer so a treatment plan can be developed.

Stage I: Mesothelioma is in the right or left pleura and may have spread to the lung, the pericardium or diaphragm on the same side. The lymph nodes are not involved.

Stage II: The cancer has spread from the pleura on one side to lymph nodes next to the lung on the same side. It may have also spread into the lung, pericardium or diaphragm on the same side.

Stage III: Mesothelioma has spread to the chest wall, muscle, ribs, heart, esophagus or other organs in the chest on the same side. It may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes on the same side as the primary tumor.

Stage IV: The disease has spread into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite of the primary tumor or extends to the pleura or lung on the opposite side. It can also extend directly into organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Any distant metastases are included in this stage.