Dubuque Offers New, Minimally-Invasive Cancer Treatment

A group of doctors and nurses examine a monitor during an Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque on Wednesday, May 4. 2012. This technology is brand new to Dubuque as of March and is being used to treat lung cancer patients. (Brent Horstmann/KCRG TV-9-The Gazette)

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By Lisa Kunkel

Story Created: May 4, 2012 at 4:49 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 7, 2012 at 11:52 AM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Dubuque's Mercy Medical Center now offers a new procedure called Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB). It offers patients a minimally-invasive option to locate and biopsy lesions detected deep in the lungs.

Mercy is the first in the area to provide ENB as an option for patients who have a hard-to-reach lesion on their lung. The ENB procedure combines GPS-like technology with a catheter-based system that uses the patient’s natural airways to access lesions that were previously hard to reach.

Medical Associates Clinic Pulmonologist Mark Janes, MD, is one of three physicians in Dubuque trained in the use of navigation bronchoscopy. He’s had 100 percent success in making a diagnosis when using ENB.

The ENB procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, and its unique approach may increase the chances that a patient will safely get a diagnosis and begin treatment, if needed.

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