Nashville-bound journey for a Chattanooga resident, as he undergoes revolutionary cancer operation
In the heart of Tennessee, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville is making strides in the fight against ovarian and lung cancer. The hospital is the only one in the state to utilise the groundbreaking advancement, Cytalux, a folate receptor-targeted fluorescent imaging agent that aids surgeons in visualising and detecting these tumours during surgery [1].
Dr. John Lazar, a thoracic surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas, considers Cytalux a "game changer." He has been using this tool to identify malignant tumours in patients like Katherine Jacobson from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Katherine was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2024. She and her husband were told by Dr. Lazar that he did not think he would have been able to find the tumour without Cytalux [2]. Katherine is now communicating with Dr. Lazar, expressing her gratitude for the life-saving treatment she received. She is happy and travelling the world with her husband, a testament to the effectiveness of Cytalux.
Dr. Lazar, who has been a thoracic surgeon for about 10 years and has been practising at Ascension for two years, had an opportunity to be an early adopter of Cytalux. He encourages other doctors to consider using it, stating, "My advice would be to seriously look into it [Cytalux] because I think it's an absolute game changer" [3].
Cytalux works by binding to folate receptors, which are often overexpressed on cancer cells, allowing tumours to fluoresce under near-infrared light. This enhances the surgeon's ability to locate and remove cancerous tissue accurately, potentially improving surgical outcomes [1]. The surgical tool is FDA-approved and can visualise tumours as small as less than half an inch.
On August 1, World Lung Cancer Day is observed, a day that highlights the importance of early detection and advanced treatments like Cytalux. Dr. Lazar believes that Cytalux is the next wave in surgical treatment, and he is not alone in his sentiment. Katherine Jacobson credits Cytalux as the reason she was able to find her tumour, and she will have follow-up scans to monitor her progress.
In the face of a cancer diagnosis, Dr. Lazar understands the fear and uncertainty his patients feel. He shares, "It's really hard when you're told you have a diagnosis of cancer, and you can't do anything about it" [4]. But with advancements like Cytalux, that sentiment is changing, offering hope and improved outcomes for cancer patients in Tennessee and beyond.
References:
[1] https://www.ascension.org/news/ascension-saint-thomas-first-in-tennessee-to-utilize-groundbreaking-advancement-for-visualizing-ovarian-and-lung-cancer-tumors-during-surgery
[2] https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2022/04/20/cytalux-helps-surgeons-find-ovarian-lung-cancer-tumors-ascension-saint-thomas/7240183001/
[3] https://www.ascension.org/news/ascension-saint-thomas-first-in-tennessee-to-utilize-groundbreaking-advancement-for-visualizing-ovarian-and-lung-cancer-tumors-during-surgery
[4] https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2022/04/20/cytalux-helps-surgeons-find-ovarian-lung-cancer-tumors-ascension-saint-thomas/7240183001/
"Dr. John Lazar, a thoracic surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas, is advocating for the integration of Cytalux in medical-conditions like cancer treatment. Cytalux, a groundbreaking tool in health-and-wellness, aids in the detection and visualization of cancerous tissue, enhancing fitness-and-exercise opportunities for those recovering from such conditions."
"Cytalux, the folate receptor-targeted fluorescent imaging agent, is not just transforming cancer treatments at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, but also offering hope and improved outcomes for patients across the nation, proving its significance in the realm of science and healthcare advancements."
