WCM-Q Grand Rounds discusses robotics use in early lung cancer diagnosis

Doha, Qatar - Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar hosted a virtual Grand Rounds discussing the role of lung cancer screening and robotic bronchoscopy in early diagnosis of the disease. Dr. Muhammad Sajawal Ali, an interventional pulmonologist and assistant professor at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, highlighted the indications and barriers to lung cancer screening in high-risk patients.

He explained how robotic bronchoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that allows pulmonologists to navigate a thin, flexible robotic catheter deep into the lungs, can improve lung cancer outcomes by accessing peripheral lung areas beyond traditional scopes. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes 30-60 minutes.

Initial screening uses a low-dose CT scan to identify abnormal spots, but current screening rates among high-risk patients remain low at around 4%. Dr. Ali proposed a strategy to improve outcomes, including raising awareness, expanding the use of innovative biopsy technologies, and establishing efficient pathways from screening to diagnosis and treatment.

He noted that lung cancer screening can improve early diagnosis and reduce mortality, with one life potentially saved by screening 320 people. The webinar was accredited by the Ministry of Public Health's Department of Healthcare Professions-Accreditation Section and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.