Lung Clinical Programs

​​​The Lung Site Group at Princess Margaret is one of the largest inter-professional groups of its kind in North America. Our clinic provides medical, radiation and surgical care to patients with lung cancers (both non-small-cell and small cell) and other thoracic malignancies, including mesothelioma and thymoma.

Our cutting-edge treatment options and technology and our highly skilled inter-professional team mean that our patients receive world-class care across all our programs. From diagnosis and treatment planning and delivery through to survivorship or palliative care, our centre continuously strives to ensure that we are setting the standard for best practices in managing patients with lung cancer using personalized approaches.

We have been sharing our expertise in high-tech radiotherapy with other centres in Ontario by offering continuing education courses and opening our doors to radiotherapy teams from other centres. Our Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Program was the first in Canada to treat patients with lung cancer and continues to provide expertise and care to patients, with the expectation of excellent local control and minimal side effects. The integration of another technological advance, volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in 2010 has allowed quicker and more efficient delivery of these high ablative doses of radiation.

Our internationally recognized Medical Oncology Program offers a range of Phase I, II and III clinical trials of novel therapies in lung cancer.​​

On This Page

Cancer Rehab and Survivorship Program

The Cancer Rehab and Survivorship (CRS) program provides many services to support patients during and after cancer treatment. Patients access the CRS program as an outpatient.

Learn more about the Cancer Rehab and Survivorship Program »

Interventional Thoracic Surgery Program

Led by Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku, the Interventional Thoracic Surgery Program provides leading-edge thoracic interventional procedures, including:

  • Diagnostic bronchoscopy (white-light bronchoscopy, autofluorescence bronchoscopy, narrow-band imaging, endobronchial ultrasound, transbronchial biopsy, navigational bronchoscopy and in-vivo endocytoscopy)
  • Airway stenting
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • VATS pleuroscopy
  • Management of pleural effusion
  • Similar procedures for esophageal diseases

Learn more about the Interventional Thoracic Surgery Program »

Lung Metastasis Program

This highly specialized diagnostic and management service assesses patients with cancer of any primary site, other than the lungs, where the cancer has spread to the lungs (lung metastasis) to evaluate surgery or radiotherapy as treatments. Our goal is to prolong life and improve quality of life by offering a multidisciplinary assessment and cutting-edge surgical or radiation therapy treatment in the most efficient and supportive way. 

Learn more about the Lung Metastasis Program »

Lung Rapid Assessment & Management Program (LungRAMP)

The Lung Rapid Assessment and Management Program (LungRAMP) allows patients who are suspected of having lung cancer to obtain a consultation and state-of-the-art diagnostic investigations through a streamlined process.

Learn more about the Lung Rapid Assessment & Management Program (LungRAMP) »

Mesothelioma Multidisciplinary Program

Mesothelioma can occur in the outer lining of the lungs and the internal chest wall (the pleura) or in the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). We treat mesothelioma patients from across Canada and are one of the few centres actively offering clinical trial options.

Learn more about the Mesothelioma Multidisciplinary Program »

Routine Molecular Profiling of Thoracic Tumours

Undertaking a leading-edge initiative in Canada, the Princess Margaret Lung Site Group is now routinely profiling newly diagnosed cancers for key molecular changes that may affect a person's treatment and future clinical trial options. Supported in part through the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and an unrestricted Innovation Award from Boehringer Ingelheim, the profiling initiative has already led to cutting-edge molecular profiling of hundreds of patients' cancers, with the potential to lead to molecularly targeted treatment.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offers a highly effective alternative for patients who are not candidates for surgery, are unable to tolerate anesthetic or are at high risk for complications owing to advanced age or other medical concerns.

Using state-of-the-art imaging and a combination of computerized 3-D treatment planning, we are able to delineate and target the tumour, allowing very high doses of radiation to be delivered very precisely over a few fractions. The result is a highly focused radiation treatment that delivers the same total dose in days instead of the weeks required with traditional radiotherapy.

Giving high doses over a short time means that the chance of cure is much higher, and the greater accuracy reduces the risk to normal structures. Thus, patients with poor lung function or at serious risk with surgery now have a curative option that poses little risk in the short run and potentially a lot of benefits.

SBRT also affords high rates of local control (80–90%) and is tolerated very well by patients with varying degrees of cardiopulmonary function.

Lung SBRT may be an option for patients whose primary disease is controlled but who have a limited number of lung metastases. In these patients, the control of lung metastases may provide prolonged disease-free survival.

https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Health_Professionals/Programs_Departments/Breast/Pages/clinical_programs.aspx
https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Education/Continuing_Education_Programs/Pages/continuing_education_programs.aspx
Last reviewed: 5/21/2025
Last modified: 5/22/2025 8:02 AM
Back to Top