In cancer care, early detection helps save lives, as delays in diagnosis and treatment can potentially lead to significant negative impacts on patient outcomes.
With the objective to accelerate cancer detection and care for residents in the greater West Central Illinois region, OSF St. Mary Medical Center (Galesburg) now has access to leading-edge technology, allowing medical providers to scan a person’s lungs and get a biopsy on the same day.
On Thursday, February 5, board-certified pulmonologist Usman A. Cheema, MD, OSF Medical Group (Galesburg), performed a bronchoscopy utilizing the hospital’s new Intuitive ION robotic system, a minimally invasive way to biopsy a patient’s lungs and get answers more efficiently.
"Robotic bronchoscopy has become the way of the future in terms of lung nodule diagnosis. It allows us to biopsy very small nodules (dense areas of tissue, or spots)," says Matthew Sehring, DO, managing medical director, OSF Medical Group, Galesburg. "We can biopsy lung nodules that were not able to be biopsied previously because they were too small. It also allows us to biopsy nodules that are far out on the edge of the lungs that were difficult to reach before.”
The goal of the Ion technology is primarily to diagnose lung cancer early. However, it also gives patients with non-cancerous lung nodules peace of mind.
"We are hoping to diagnose lung cancer while it is very small, at a very early stage, and provide patients with the opportunity for either surgical or radiation cure of their cancer. That's our number one goal," Dr. Sehring says. “So, for our patients who do have lung nodules, we want to provide them with a diagnosis, whether it is cancer or something else.”
If a person has a history of smoking or a family history of lung cancer, Dr. Sehring says it’s important to get screened. Screening remains the greatest tool to catch lung cancer early. Some nodules used to be biopsied using a needle from outside the body. The robotic bronchoscopy allows the team to biopsy from the inside in a safer way, preventing possible complications. When a lung nodule is diagnosed at an earlier stage, it is much more likely to allow for curative treatment.
"A lung cancer screening is very simple. It's a low-dose CAT scan of the lungs. Most lung cancer screenings are covered by insurance. It's a two-minute scan," Dr. Sehring says. "You get scheduled for a CAT scan. You come in and there's no contrast or IV required. You come in, get your CAT scan, and it's usually read within 24 hours."
If cancerous nodules are found in the patient's lungs, they will be referred to our multidisciplinary lung cancer team for further evaluation and treatment. This includes a surgeon who decides if the lung nodule can be surgically removed. There is also a medical oncologist who can advise if chemotherapy or immunotherapy is needed. Lastly, a radiation oncologist is part of the team and can provide radiation treatment if necessary.
The addition of robotic bronchoscopy is the second instance in the last six months that OSF St. Mary Medical Center has acquired leading-edge technology to enhance its minimally invasive robotic surgery services. In August 2025, the da Vinci 5 surgical system was added, expanding access to minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery in the greater Galesburg area.
“Robotic surgical technology can improve safety and outcomes during complex surgery. Combining the best technologies with personalized treatment and care for our patients reinforces our Mission of serving with the greatest care and love,” says Rachel Stomberg, MSM, vice president, Operations and Special Projects. “Only at OSF can residents of Galesburg and the greater West Central Illinois region have access to the expertise of our Mission Partners and Physicians in finding the health care they need right here close to home.”
To learn more about the health care ministry at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, visit www.osfstmary.org.