If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious condition in your chest, your primary care doctor or specialist may refer you to a thoracic surgeon for expert evaluation and treatment.

What is a thoracic surgeon?

A thoracic surgeon is a doctor who performs surgery on the organs inside the chest including the lungs, esophagus, and airway.

What does a thoracic surgeon do?

Thoracic surgeons are trained to operate on the chest area, also known as the thorax. They help:

  • Take biopsies (a small tissue sample) to check for cancer
  • Remove tumors or masses
  • Treat damage or abnormalities between the abdomen and neck

Depending on your diagnosis, surgery may be performed through a minimally invasive robotic-assisted technique designed for faster recovery and less discomfort or a traditional open approach.

Why might your doctor refer you to a thoracic surgeon?

Here are some common thoracic conditions our thoracic surgery specialists treat often at CTVS:

Lung Nodules and Lung Cancer: CTVS offers minimally-invasive, robotic-assisted surgical procedures to remove lung nodules and tumors.

Esophageal Disorders and Cancer: Conditions like GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus may require surgical intervention as a definitive treatment. Esophageal cancer is highly treatable with robotic surgery if caught early.

Mediastinal Masses or Tumors: Masses found in the space between the lungs (called the mediastinum) may need to be biopsied or removed, especially if there’s a risk of cancer.

Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating): A surgery called a sympathectomy, which cuts specific nerves, can help reduce or stop severe sweating.

Don’t wait to follow up

If your doctor refers you to a thoracic surgeon—especially if there’s a chance of cancer—it’s important to make an appointment as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve outcomes.

For questions about our thoracic, cardiac, or vascular services, visit ctvstexas.com or call us at (512) 459-8753 to schedule an appointment.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check our blog for regular updates.