Frederick Health Outpaces National Averages for Lung Cancer Detection with New Technology

Frederick County residents face some of the highest risks for lung cancer, but physicians at Frederick Health are changing that story. Recently implemented cancer detection technology allows physicians to diagnose lung cancer earlier and less invasively than was historically possible, beating national averages and shortening recovery times.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths, with more than 130,000 deaths expected by the end of 2025. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the leading cause for non-smokers. Because Frederick County is considered a high-radon zone, residents are at a higher risk for lung cancer, with an average of 146 people diagnosed per year.

With the recent implementation of advanced 3D technology and a multidisciplinary approach, Frederick Health is detecting nearly 40% of lung cancers at Stage 1—far surpassing the national average of 27%. Using ION robotic lung biopsy systems, Frederick Health physicians can precisely sample nodules as small as a grape. Additionally, newly added 3D fluoroscopy now enables more accurate biopsies of spots no larger than an apple seed. What once required major surgery and multiple overnight hospital stays can now be completed as an outpatient procedure, reducing costs and recovery time for patients.

“With advanced tools like 3D imaging and robotic bronchoscopy, we can find lung issues that others might miss,” Dr. S. Kashif Mahmood, Pulmonologist at Frederick Health, said. “This minimally invasive approach means less discomfort, faster recovery, and greater confidence in patient care.”

Early detection dramatically improves survival rates, with a 64% survival rate at early stages versus only 9% at late stages. According to the National Institutes of Health, populations at-risk for lung cancer face challenges around the cost of care, including the costs of transport to screening centers and taking sick leave to attend appointments.

Dr. Maurice Smith, Thoracic Surgeon and Medical Director for Chest Surgery with Frederick Health Medical Group, emphasized the benefits of keeping care local.

“Before this technology, we often had to send patients out-of-county to receive specialized care,” Dr. Smith said. “Frederick County residents now have access to the same advanced care found at the nation’s top centers without having to leave their community.”

Over the summer, Frederick Health’s James M Stockman Cancer Institute was named a Center of Excellence for Lung Cancer Care and Pulmonary Nodules, a recognition that underscores these innovations.

“This designation reflects the strength of our multidisciplinary approach,” Dr. Smith said about the recognition. Patients of Frederick Health can move from biopsy to the healthcare system’s multidisciplinary clinic within a week, without the delays or multiple appointments that often make cancer care more difficult. “Faster diagnosis and treatment means better patient outcomes, and the multidisciplinary clinic enables us to provide them.”

With higher-than average early detection rates and the recognition of national accrediting bodies, Frederick Health is working to improve survival outcomes and provide patients with the highest level of care right here in the community.