Cancerous tumors often spread from their original site to the lung. In the past, these tumor
nodules in the lung were treated with chemotherapy. In rare cases where only 1 or 2 nodules
were found in the lung, surgical removal could improve the changes for survival. In the past, a
patient with more than 3 lung nodules was not offered surgical removal because it was
considered too dangerous and without benefit. However, significant advances in both
chemotherapy and now surgical technique makes it possible to remove multiple tumor nodules
(or "metastases") from the lung.
Removal of Multiple Metastases ( or ROMM) is a brand new procedure developed by Dr. Levinson,
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Promise Regional Medical Center in Hutchinson, Kansas. Dr.
Levinson has successfully removed as many as 17 tumor nodules from a single lung and over 23
nodules in total from the same patient without significant damage to the lung. This advanced
technique offers the chance for cure to selected patients who otherwise would have been
refused surgery.
In patients where the primary site of cancer has been controlled and every organ is free of
tumor except the lungs, there is an opportunity to remove all the remaining tumor in the lung
with minimal damage to surrounding normal lung tissue. The key to the ROMM procedure is
the discovery of the Starion Thermal Welder device and how it can safely divide the lung tissue
close to the nodule with minimal harm to the surrounding normal lung. To see the Starion in
action, you may want to view an actual movie of the ROMM procedure.
Click the links below to learn more about the ROMM procedure...
