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...
