Thoracic Surgery Programs and Services
Who We Treat | Key Programs | Research | For Professionals | Highlights | Appointments
Columbia University's Surgical Lung & Chest Care program offers a full range of services for all lung, chest, and esophageal conditions and complications.
- We offer both high surgical volume and outstanding outcomes―we have more experience and better results than other thoracic surgery programs.
- As part of a world-class medical center, our thoracic surgeons collaborate closely with their colleagues in pulmonology, radiology, pathology, and more to bring you the most comprehensive care available.
- Our innovative and minimally invasive techniques help our patients recover faster, get home sooner, and return to a better quality of life.
If you'd like to speak to our team about these conditions or treatment options, call (212) 304-7535 or complete our online application form.
Who We Treat
We diagnose and treat patients with all lung, chest, and esophageal conditions, including those needing lung and multi-organ transplants. We have a proven track record for treating complex, difficult cases that have been turned away from other institutions.
Conditions We Treat
- ARDS
- Asthma
- Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease
- Bronchiectasis
- COPD
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Diaphragm paralysis and weakness
- Diaphragm eventration
- Diaphragmatic hernias
- Emphysema
- GERD
- Hyperhidrosis
- Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Cancer in Women
- Mesothelioma
- Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
- Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Infections
- Pectus Excavatum
- Pulmonary Embolic Disease
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Thymus Cancer
Treatments We Offer
- Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction
- Bronchoscopy/Lung Biopsy
- Diaphragmatic Pacing
- Lung Surgery
- Lung Transplantation
- Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
- Minimally Invasive and Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
- Nonsurgical Lung Treatments Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (Uni-VATS)
Lung & Chest Conditions and Treatments
Key Clinical Programs
To better serve your specific needs, we offer several highly-specialized care centers:
Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Transplantation
For people with advanced lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, emphysema, and interstitial lung disease, highly skilled care is a necessity. Columbia hosts the premier center in the northeast for lung failure treatment and lung transplantation. The three-year survival rate for our transplant patients is 81%–well above the national average of 69%. We are constantly developing new methods to replenish and repair lungs previously considered unsuitable for transplant. These discoveries have the potential to greatly increase the number of donor organs available in the future. Our multidisciplinary team also provides the most advanced treatment for acute respiratory failure.
Advanced Emphysema & COPD Program
For people struggling with emphysema or COPD, even with help from medications, we offer non-invasive and surgical options to help you breathe easier. Our team is the most experienced in the US in performing lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) to remove damaged lung sections and allow the remaining portion to function better. Columbia is the only medical center in the tri-state area designated a National Center of Excellence for this advanced surgery. Our patients' one-year survival rate was 99%, and their three-year survival rate was 97%, with major improvements in quality of life. We also offer a nonsurgical bronchoscopic LVR (BLVR) approach for appropriate candidates, with similar results and shorter recovery times.
Lung Cancer Screening Program
The lung cancer screening program at Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian brings together physicians and nurse practitioners from multiple disciplines to provide care for smokers and ex-smokers who are at high risk for lung cancer and other complications.
Women's Lung Center
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide, affecting more women each year than breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer combined. The majority of lung cancers among non-smokers also occur in women. Research indicates that women (especially non-smokers) tend to respond better than men to certain therapies for lung cancer. These findings have led us to create a multidisciplinary center to address the specific needs of women with lung disease.
Diaphragm Center
Columbia is proudly home to the first and only multidisciplinary program in the country that exclusively addresses weakness and paralysis of the diaphragm, which can cause respiratory distress, sleep apnea, and disorders of the nervous system. We offer treatments for diaphragmatic paralysis like phrenic nerve grafting (repairing damaged nerves) and plication (flattening the dome of the diaphragm to give the lungs more room to expand). We are also world leaders in diaphragmatic pacing (applying electrical impulses to provide breathing support) and hiatal hernias repair.
Esophageal Disorders Center
Working closely with medical experts in gastroenterology, our chest surgeons offer the latest advances in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancer, swallowing disorders, achalasia, and hiatal hernias.
Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Program
The Thoracic Surgery Program at Columbia is a world leader in minimally invasive surgery, even for the most complex cases and diseases. For many thoracic conditions, minimally invasive surgery can provide the same results as traditional surgery, with shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and fewer complications. It can also be an option for patients deemed too "high risk" for open surgery.
The Center for Hyperhidrosis
Our center has been a leader in diagnosing and treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) in the New York Metropolitan area for decades. The center offers a team approach to hyperhidrosis treatment, offering both medical and minimally invasive surgical therapies, including endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS).
Thymus Center
The team at our Thymus Center has helped develop the most effective treatments for diseases like myasthenia gravis, thymoma, and thymic carcinoma, and we continue to lead the way with innovative new approaches to care.
Research and Clinical Trials
As part of a major research center, we are always at the forefront of the latest advancements in medical science. Our patients have access to clinical trials using advanced immunotherapy and individualized gene analysis that more precisely target lung tumors, while decreasing standard chemotherapy side effects.
Information for Students and Healthcare Professionals
- Section of Thoracic Surgery administrative page
- Cardiothoracic Residency & Fellowship Program
- CME & Educational Events
Program Highlights
A Major Center for Pulmonary Medicine
Our surgeons work closely with the Price Family Center for Comprehensive Chest Care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, the largest and most comprehensive lung and esophageal disease care program in the New York City area. The center offers state-of-the-art diagnostic services and treatments.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care
Our dedicated teams bring together experts from across Columbia, including thoracic surgeons, transplant surgeons, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, medical and radiation oncologists, specialized nursing teams, pulmonary rehabilitation/physical therapy professionals, and more—all working together to provide the very best care.
A Leader in Innovation
Columbia remains an epicenter for surgical innovation, including our Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery and Robotic Surgery Programs. We're also a major center for immunotherapy and interventional pulmonology treatments for thoracic conditions like cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pioneers in Lung Transplantation
At the Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Transplantation, we're pioneering the latest advances in lung preservation using 10-degree cold static perfusion—allowing us to optimize surgery for the best results while providing the best results for all our patients. Our outstanding outcomes speak for themselves.
ECMO Platinum Center of Excellence
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving strategy to help the sickest patients survive when their heart or lungs need a break. The ECMO program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center is proud to be recognized as a platinum center of excellence for its outstanding care and support.
Providing Safe Transportation for ECMO Candidates
We are proud to offer the only ECMO transport service in the region. Our Mobile ECMO team of highly trained paramedics, intensive care physicians, ECMO surgeons, and perfusionists uses state-of-the-art technology to act as a mobile intensive care unit to safely transport the sickest patients for care here at CUIMC/NYP.
Driving ECMO Research
As part of the International ECMO Network (ECMONet) research consortium, we partner with centers from around the world to conduct high-quality research in the field of ECMO. The consortium is made up of ECMO researchers worldwide and is dedicated to fostering international collaboration to study the use of ECMO in treating patients with respiratory failure.
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment with the Thoracic Surgery Team at Columbia, please call us at (212) 304-7535 or complete our online application form. We accept a number of insurance plans, and our team can help confirm your coverage.