The Institute's Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Team diagnoses and treats cancers of the lung, thymus gland and esophagus as well as mesothelioma.

The team meets Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to evaluate new patients referred for second opinions or care. Patients can see an Institute (or Institute-affiliated) physician any day of the week and have their cases presented to the multidisciplinary conference on Thursday.

Members Qualifications

The Institute’s thoracic oncology experts are among the best in the world. Team members are national leaders in chest malignancies and recognized experts in the treatment of thoracic cancers among national cooperative groups. Their depth of experience includes leadership positions at such prestigious centers as the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

They conduct clinical trials in chest malignancies as part of our National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center mission. As leaders in their respective professional organizations and editors of books, chapters and articles on chest malignancies, many are recognized by their peers as America’s best doctors.

Team Members

Shirish Gadgeel, M.D., (Team Leader), Medical Oncology
Frank Baciewicz, M.D, Thoracic Surgical Oncology
Gerold Bepler, M.D., Medical Oncologist
Sanjay Dogra, M.D., Pulmonary Critical Care
Michael Harbut, M.D., Family & Occupational Medicine
Salik Jahania, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgery
Harold Kim, M.D., Radiation Oncology
Andre Konski, M.D., Radiation Oncology
Peter Littrup, M.D., Radiology
Fulvio Lonardo, M.D., Pathology
Ayman Soubani, M.D., Pulmonary Medicine
Ammar Sukari, M.D., Medical Oncology
Garrett Walworth, M.D., Radiology
Antoinette Wozniak, M.D.,Medical Oncology
Alkis Zingas, M.D., Radiology

Kimberly Belzer MS, Physician Assistant and MDT Coordinator
Margaret Houlehan, Physician Assistant

Members of the Institute’s Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Team are leading or participating in several clinical trials through which eligible patients may benefit. Investigations include screening and early detection of lung cancer and mesothelioma, detection and treatment intervention in precancerous cells from the sputum of smokers, combined modality treatments for locally advanced cancers of the chest, clinical trials of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy, novel radiation therapy approaches such as intensive modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), gamma knife radiation therapy for brain metastases, and studies of novel chemotherapies via our Phase I clinical pharmacology program.

Patient Participation

Any patient diagnosed with a chest malignancy will benefit from a consultation with the Institute’s multispecialty lung cancer team. Patients who will benefit the most include those:

• With previously untreated cancers of the chest (diagnosed or suspected; local-regional);
• Being considered for two or more concurrent therapies;
• With limited pulmonary function who would otherwise be candidates for surgical therapy;
• Who have undergone surgery for malignancies of the chest within six weeks before being seen at the Institute;
• Interested in participating in a clinical trial; or
• Who specifically request being seen by the multidisciplinary team at the Institute to initiate treatment or for a second opinion.

On Appointment Day

On the day of appointment, each patient receives personal attention from the Institute’s multidisciplinary lung cancer staff person and the appropriate team member. A team physician evaluates the patient, reviews the patient’s records, X-rays and pathology slides and presents the case to the multidisciplinary team.

After the team conference, this physician shares the team’s recommendations with the patient and family members the same day. If other testing is required or if other specialists need to be seen as part of the proposed therapy, these appointments are made the same day or as soon as is convenient for the patient.

Appointments

Referring physicians or patients should call (800) KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266). A specially trained program coordinator schedules appointments and answers questions. The patient should bring the following to his/her appointment:

• Medical records from care recently provided outside the Institute;
• Chest X-rays, CAT scans of the chest and abdomen, brain MRIs and bone scans if available;
• Whole body PET scan films and reports if applicable;
• Pathology slides and reports; and
• Any recent pulmonary functions tests, EKGs, and blood tests.

The Institute's Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Team is located at 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan. Valet parking and ample security are provided.

Representatives from the Institute's clinical trials office also attend this conference.

Clinical Trials