Areas of Expertise
Diseases of the Lung, Pleura, Airways, and Chest Wall

Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most significant cancer in this country, with over 220,000 individuals diagnosed in the United States in 2011. After decades of rising incidence, there has been a plateau and slight decline in lung cancer since the mid-1990s on the order of 1-2%, possibly due to the effect of declining tobacco cigarette smoking. However, lung cancer in non-smokers is increasing, indicating that the disease is going continue to be a major public health issue for the foreseeable future. More...

Lung Metastases
Many cancers spread into the lungs, and there are situations when removal of these metastatic nodules improves outcome. Surgery for lung metastases is indicated when the original tumor in another part of the body has been controlled and there are isolated metastases remaining in the chest. USC thoracic surgeons have extensive experience in removing metastatic nodules from the lungs from the chest due to a variety of tumors, such as colorectal cancer, germ cell tumors, liver cancers, sarcoma, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and other tumor types. More...

Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura, or the inner lining of the chest, but it can also occur in the lining of the abdominal cavity. It is diagnosed in 2,500 to 3,000 patients per year in the United States, but the incidence of mesothelioma is expected to increase over the next decade due to the long latency period of its development, which can be between 15 and 50 years. It typically occurs in men more than women as a result of different rates of occupational exposure to asbestos. As the tumor grows it encases the lung and can produce fluid that compromises the function of the lung. More...

Malignant Pleural Effusion
Cancer that spreads into the pleural cavity, or the space between the lung and the chest wall, can create fluid or a pleural effusion. This process can occur from lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other types of cancers. As fluid accumulates, it displaces the lung and compromises its function, making patients feel short of breath or experience chest pain. More...

Airway Disorders

Chest Wall Tumors

Pectus Excavatum

Hyperhydrosis

End Stage Lung Disease and Lung Transplantation