June 04, 2026
Advances in screening, multidisciplinary care models and surgical techniques are reshaping lung cancer management and improving outcomes across disease stages. At Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona, specialists are integrating earlier detection strategies with individualized treatment planning to address the heterogeneity of lung cancer presentation and progression.
"Recognition of lung cancer as a complex, multifactorial disease has shifted how we approach both screening and treatment," says Jonathan D'Cunha, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Arizona specializing in thoracic oncology.
Multidisciplinary care enables individualized treatment strategies
Mayo Clinic lung cancer specialists view disease management and treatment through a comprehensive lens. The model includes thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, interventional radiology and pathology.
According to Dr. D'Cunha, the integrated approach supports real-time treatment planning across modalities, particularly for patients with complex disease or multiple comorbidities.
"Sometimes, patients present with several lesions that require different approaches," he says. "We may pursue surgical resection for one lesion while treating another with radiation. Our multidisciplinary model allows us to tailor therapy in that way."
Advances in surgical techniques and care delivery
Recent innovations in lung cancer also have helped reshape the lung cancer treatment landscape. For example, specialists have increasingly adopted minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgical approaches, which are associated with reduced morbidity and faster recovery.
At the same time, surgical pain management strategies have evolved, incorporating techniques such as liposomal nerve blocks and intercostal nerve cryoablation. These methods improve postoperative pain control and may accelerate recovery. "In many cases, we're able to optimize recovery to the point where patients can resume daily life or systemic treatment sooner," Dr. D'Cunha says.
"Collaboration across specialties allows us to incorporate new data efficiently and refine treatment strategies in real time."
Surgical decision-making also has shifted toward lung-sparing techniques whenever possible. While lobectomy remains the standard of care for certain centrally located or larger tumors, some patients are candidates for lung-sparing surgical approaches such as sublobar resection. This approach can remove a smaller, targeted portion of the lung without harming surrounding tissue.
Also, the integration of neoadjuvant therapies, including immunotherapy, is expanding the surgical eligibility of patients with borderline resectable disease.
The role of clinical trials in advancing care
Ongoing clinical trial participation, including studies evaluating neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic therapies, has helped inform many of the advances in lung cancer care. A clinical trial infrastructure within a multidisciplinary environment enables emerging evidence to rapidly translate into clinical practice.
"Collaboration across specialties allows us to incorporate new data efficiently and refine treatment strategies in real time," Dr. D'Cunha says.
Early detection and nodule surveillance
Low-dose CT screening and risk-based identification strategies also are increasing the detection of early-stage lung cancer, when treatment is often more effective. At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists evaluates patients with high risk of lung cancer within dedicated nodule clinics focused on early diagnosis and intervention.
"Not all lung nodules end up being cancer, but structured surveillance allows us to identify concerning changes earlier and guide risk-based management," Dr. D'Cunha says. In the desert climate of the Southwest, where environmental factors such as valley fever can leave behind benign pulmonary lesions that mimic cancerous nodules, these clinics are particularly important.
Implications for clinical practice and referral
With the combination of multidisciplinary care, minimally invasive surgical techniques and enhanced screening protocols, the landscape of lung cancer management is shifting toward earlier intervention and more-individualized treatment planning. Yet early intervention depends on timely referral for lung cancer screening in high-risk populations, as well as early consideration of clinical trial eligibility.
Patients at the nodule clinic, for example, receive scans regularly, and any detected nodules are tracked, Dr. D'Cunha says. He adds: "This ongoing relationship allows the team to advise on worrisome nodules for the risk of cancer or other pulmonary conditions." Another top priority for Dr. D'Cunha is expanding awareness and access to specialized lung cancer care.
"Now more than ever, my team is focused on improving access and reducing barriers to specialty care," he says. "We offer both in-person and remote options, which is especially beneficial for patients in rural areas."
For more information
Lung cancer care advancements in the American Southwest. Cancer Update. Mayo Clinic. 2023.
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