Mount Nittany Health is pleased to share that the Centre Region now has access to cutting-edge new robotic technology designed for early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country. Mount Nittany Health is one of the first in Pennsylvania and the entire United States to use the groundbreaking Noah Galaxy System, a new, state-of-the-art robotic platform that locates lung nodules with greater precision and accuracy.

“Mount Nittany Health is the seventh center in the country to utilize the Noah Galaxy system,” said Gregory Ruff, MD FCCP FAASM, Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep Medicine, Mount Nittany Health. “This technology provides local access to innovative care for patients in the Centre Region. With the Noah Galaxy System, we now can confidently approach pulmonary nodules measuring 8 to 20 mm. Previously these patients would have needed CT-guided biopsies which result in a higher risk of a collapsed lung, continued radiographic surveillance, surgery without a definitive diagnosis, or other treatments without the precise knowledge of the nature of the disorder.”

Mount Nittany Health providers can now diagnose and treat lung nodules sooner, and reduce the potential for infection thanks to Galaxy’s single-use bronchoscope, the first of its kind in robotic bronchoscopy.

According to Ruff, “Early diagnosis of lung cancer offers patients the best opportunity for cure and long-term survival. We have been very pleased with the experience and results of using the Noah Galaxy robotic system. We now have the ability to biopsy lesions that were previously inaccessible. We have been able to refer patients early for surgical resection as well as early radiation therapy in anticipation of curative therapy.”

For more information about Mount Nittany Health Pulmonary Medicine or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ruff, please call 814.231.7888.