Early Detection is Key: New Technology Helps Rutgers Cancer Institute and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Clinicians Detect Lung Cancer Sooner

(New Brunswick, NJ) - An innovative technology, Ion robotic bronchoscopy, that can help interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons diagnose lung cancer earlier is now available at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) together with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in New Brunswick.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US, accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths. The ACS estimates for lung cancer in the US for 2025 are:

• About 226,650 new cases of lung cancer (110,680 in men and 115,970 in women)
• About 124,730 deaths from lung cancer (64,190 in men and 60,540 in women)

In addition, lung cancer is more common than colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer and is responsible for more deaths than those cancers combined. In New Jersey, approximately 5,800 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Nationally 1 out of 4 patients with lung cancer are diagnosed with early-staged disease where meaningful survival can be achieved. Utilizing advanced technologies including AI, radiomics, and innovative technology (Ion robotic bronchoscopy), interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons can diagnose lung cancer earlier.

Using robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, doctors can now perform highly precise, minimally invasive biopsies on almost all nodules including the small, difficult-to-reach nodules in peripheral areas of the lungs where more than 7 out of 10 of cancerous growths are located.

"Early detection and diagnosis are critical for lung cancer patients," explains Neil Ninan, MD, Director of Pulmonary Medicine, Southern Region, RWJBarnabas Health. "This technology is an important advance that helps us identify and access small, difficult-to-reach nodules and more easily perform biopsies enabling earlier diagnosis that can potentially lead to better outcomes for patients."

Ion is used by interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons to perform robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. The Ion is available at several other RWJBarnabas Health hospitals across the state as well. It uses unique shape-sensing technology and robotic-assistance to allow clinicians to navigate to nodules in all 18 segments of the lung and remove tissue for biopsy with precision and accuracy. Its minimally invasive approach means there may be less risk for some patients compared to other existing biopsy techniques.

Dr. Ninan adds, "This technology offers significant benefits to individuals who are at high risk for lung cancer such as current or former heavy smokers, patients who have nodules present in difficult-to-reach areas, and patients with a history of cancer who have suspicious nodules that are currently being monitored."

RWJUH and Rutgers Cancer Institute are committed to promoting the early detection of lung cancer through its Lung Cancer Screening Program. In addition to referrals for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, the screening program offers:

• Low-dose CT scans
• Centralized scheduling and intake process as well as insurance support
• Smoking cessation services through the RWJBH IFPR Quit Center
• Coordination of medical specialists
• Interpretation and translation
• Transportation arrangements

Current lung cancer screening guidelines for individuals are:

• 50-80 years old (up to age 77 for Medicare participants)
• Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, has no symptoms of lung cancer, and has not had a chest CT scan within the past 12-months.
• A tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack years. Pack Years = Packs Per Day x Years Smoked.

To schedule a lung cancer screening appointment, please call Ariel Jimenez, Healthcare Navigator, RWJUH Lung Cancer Screening Program, at 732-937-8908.

Patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer have access to expert thoracic oncologists and surgical oncologists from the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center. The Morris Cancer Center

is located on the RWJUH academic medical campus in New Brunswick and is New Jersey's only freestanding cancer hospital. Fully opened in September of this year, the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center houses 88 state-of-the-art infusion chairs and 80 exam rooms for adults and pediatrics, as well as 96 private inpatient rooms, nine operating rooms, radiology, imaging resources in the building, four brand new linear accelerators (LINAC) including an MR-LINAC, a brachytherapy suite for radiation therapy delivery, and interventional radiology suites. Patients at the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center can benefit from the most advanced cancer treatments including clinical trials, cellular therapies, precision medicine, blood and marrow transplantation, complex surgical procedures and sophisticated radiation therapy techniques.

"Adding robotic bronchoscopy to our wide range of capabilities further demonstrates our academic medical center's commitment to pursue every possible option to fight cancer," said Andrew Evens, DO, Deputy Director for Clinical Services, Rutgers Cancer Institute, and Chief Physician Officer, Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and Rutgers Cancer Institute. "Our patients can be assured that they have access to outstanding clinical care, researchers, clinical trials, advanced therapies, and cutting-edge treatments."

About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is a 724-bed academic medical center in New Brunswick that is New Jersey's largest academic medical center through its deep partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers Cancer Institute. RWJUH is home to the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, a nationally-ranked 2025-26 Best Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. RWJUH is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Regional Hospital for 2025-2026 with 19 High Performing Adult Specialties and Conditions. Centers of Excellence include heart and vascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, orthopedics, pediatrics and women's health. As one of only three state-certified Level 1 Trauma Centers and the first designated Pediatric Trauma Center in the New Jersey, RWJUH's campus serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness.

For more Information visit us online at https://www.rwjbh.org/newbrunswick

Contact: Peter Haigney
RWJUH Public Relations
(732) 937-8568