Back

Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic Surgery - Virtua Service

Surgical Care of the Lungs and Chest

The thorax, or chest, houses your body's essentials for life—your heart and lungs. 

 

People with lung, esophagus or chest disease who entrust their care to Virtua receive expert treatment from board-certified and fellowship-trained thoracic surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive procedures. Using smaller incisions helps patients recover more quickly and with less pain so they can get back to the essentials—living and breathing easier.  

 

To consult with a Virtua thoracic surgeon, call 1-888-847-8823. 

Why Choose Virtua for Thoracic Surgery

Surgical Expertise

Meet the Virtua Thoracic Surgeons

Our thoracic surgeons see patients at Virtua Surgical Group - Marlton. 


• Matthew Puc, MD, board-certified and fellowship-trained thoracic surgeon
• Walter Boris, DO, board-certified thoracic surgeon

 

A multi-disciplinary approach to lung cancer treatment

The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer require a coordinated team of experts to collaborate on all aspects of patient care. Virtua’s thoracic surgeons lead a team that includes pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, chest radiologists, pathologists, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses all specializing in thoracic patient care.

Commitment to Quality

Patient Safety and Quality Come First

 

STS National Database Participant - Virtua

Virtua thoracic surgeons voluntarily submit quality data to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database, an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety among cardiothoracicsurgeons

 

Conditions We Treat

Thoracic Conditions Treated at Virtua


• Airway Disorders: tumors, narrowing or collapse of the airway

• Chest Wall Disorders: tumors, sunken or protruding breast bone

• Diaphragm Paralysis: poor breathing muscle function

• Esophageal Cancer: esophagus tumors

• Esophageal Disorders: swallowing difficulties, narrowing of the esophagus, heartburn

• Giant Bullous Disease: large air pockets in the surface of the lung

• Hyperhydrosis: excessive sweating

• Lung Cancer: lung tumors

• Mediastinal Diseases: thymic tumors, myasthenia gravis 

• Mesothelioma: cancer within the lining around the lung related to asbestos exposure

• Pleural and Pericardial Effusions: fluid around the heart and lungs

• Spontaneous Pneumothorax: lung collapse

Schedule an Appointment

Meet with a Virtua Thoracic Surgeon

Schedule a Consultation

1-888-VIRTUA-3 1-888-VIRTUA-3 Chat Live

Related Services

Lung Cancer

Lung Wellness Program

Pulmonary Medicine

Lung Cancer Screening Program

Lung cancer symptoms don’t usually appear until the later stages of the disease when it’s more difficult to treat. Today, a more proactive approach to testing can detect lung cancer during earlier stages when treatment may be more effective and even curative. A low-dose CT scan provides a detailed view of the lungs and has been shown to improve lung cancer survival rates based on data from the National Lung Screening Trial.


Who should consider screening?

Those who qualify for lung cancer screening fit into one of two categories:


  • Individuals 55-77 years of age current or former smokers with a 30 pack year history (a pack year is the number of packs smoked daily multiplied by the number of years smoking). Former smokers must have quit within the past 15 years.
  • Individuals 50 years and older with a 20 pack year history and one additional risk factor. Additional risk factors include certain occupational exposures, cancer history and a disease history of pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis. Your physician will help you determine your risk factors.

Does insurance cover lung cancer screening?

If you have Medicare or commercial insurance, this screening may be covered. Call your carrier to verify.

 

Virtua offers reduced rates for those without coverage. The test requires an order from a physician, which may be provided by a primary care or lung specialist.


Learn more about lung cancer screening

If you have questions about the program, call (856) 247-7370 and press #2. One of our lung nurse navigators will answer questions, assist you with a referral to a primary care physician and help you throughout the process.


cancer dr

Penn Medicine | Virtua Cancer Clinical Trials

Virtua’s affiliation with Penn Medicine gives patients access to the latest advances in cancer care, treatment and research. Clinical trials are designed to evaluate new methods of cancer prevention and treatment that are approved by the National Cancer Institute.

See available clinical trials

you may also like

Preventing Teens from Smoking Will Reduce Lung Disease Rates, Study Says - Virtua Article

Preventing Teens from Smoking Will Reduce Lung Disease Rates

An NJ law banning the sale of tobacco products to those under 21 went into effect in late 2017. It aims to reduce lung cancer rates and smoking-related complications in teens.

Read More
Meet Dr. Matthew Puc - Virtua

Meet Dr. Matthew Puc

Dr. Matthew Puc is a highly-regarded, fellowship-trained thoracic surgeon at Virtua. He's passionate about caring for people with lung cancer—treating all his patients like family.

Watch Video
Dr. Walter Boris, a Virtua thoracic surgeon

Meet Dr. Walter Boris

Dr. Walter Boris is a board-certified thoracic surgeon at Virtua with more than 25 years of experience. His patient's comfort and best interests are always his first priority.

Watch Video
Showing 3 of 13