St. Joseph’s/Candler adds new technology in diagnosing lung cancer
Monarch robotic bronchoscopy could enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of lung cancer
The thoracic lung cancer multidisciplinary team at the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion just got a new teammate: The Monarch Robot.
This latest technology allows for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of small and hard-to-reach lung cancer nodules. It’s non-invasive for patients and limits false positives, false negatives and potential side effects. 
The Monarch Platform, powered by Auris Health, integrates the latest advancements in robotics, software, data science and endoscopy – the use of small cameras and tools to enter the body through its natural openings.
Using a familiar controller-like interface (think your child's Xbox controller), physicians are able to navigate the flexible robotic endoscope to the edge of the lung with improved reach, vision and control compared to traditional endoscopy. Additionally, the computer-assisted navigation is based on 3D models of the patient’s own lung anatomy, giving physicians continuous bronchoscope vision throughout the procedure.
Some of the benefits to the Monarch robot are:
- Earlier diagnosis, which increases the chance of survival
- Improved patient outcomes
- Enhanced physician capabilities
- Less false positives and false negatives
- Fewer side effects
How our team uses Monarch
At the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, we have a team of pulmonologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and others who meet as a multidisciplinary group to discuss each individual lung cancer patient or suspicious
case. 
If, for example, a patient has some suspicious findings on a lung CT scan, pulmonologist Dr. M. Douglas Mullins can use Monarch to quickly and accurately perform a biopsy to determine if the finding is lung cancer. Those findings, along with imaging results, can help the multidisciplinary team determine the next best course of action whether it’s surgery, radiation or another treatment option.
The Monarch Robot is housed in the Bronchoscopy Suite at Candler Hospital. In the beginning, it will be used for diagnosing lung cancers in patients, most of who go through the Rapid Access Lung Treatment Clinic at the LCRP. In the future, the robot will be used for treatment and therapeutic purposes.
Contact Us
For information about cancer surgical services or comprehensive cancer services and physician specialists at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, please call 912-819-5704. We look forward to helping you.
