First Introduction of Cutting-Edge 'Robotic Bronchoscopy' for Lung Cancer Biopsy in Korea

National Cancer Center Introduces Korea's First Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy
Pioneering Innovation in Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Biopsy

With cutting-edge robotic technology, it is expected that precise tissue biopsies will become possible for lung lesions that were previously difficult to access.

The National Cancer Center announced on May 19 that it will introduce the 'Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy (ION®)' for the first time in Korea, bringing innovation to lung cancer diagnosis.

The robotic bronchoscopy is a high-precision, robot navigation-based diagnostic device designed to accurately trace the complex bronchial structures of the lung and stably reach target areas, regardless of the location or size of the lesion. It can effectively explore deep regions of the lung that are difficult to access with conventional bronchoscopes, significantly improving the accuracy and diagnostic rate of tissue biopsies.

Professor Hwang Bobin, head of the Division of Pulmonology at the National Cancer Center, stated, "In 2005, the National Cancer Center was the first in Korea to introduce endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), leading advancements in lung cancer diagnosis and staging. The introduction of robotic bronchoscopy is also expected to present a new direction for lung cancer diagnosis."

Jung Hyungseong, a peripheral lung cancer diagnosis specialist and professor at the National Cancer Center (Division of Pulmonology), also highly evaluated the potential applications of robotic bronchoscopy in various fields. These include diagnosing lung nodules that are difficult to assess with conventional biopsy methods, determining the surgical range for small lung cancers, integrating with radiation therapy, and diagnosing metastatic lung cancer. Related evaluation studies will be conducted, and clinical applications will begin next month.

Yang Hankwang, President of the National Cancer Center, said, "Lung cancer is one of the cancers that is difficult to diagnose early. Although many suspicious lung nodules are detected through early screening using low-dose chest CT (computed tomography), there are still challenges in confirming diagnoses through tissue biopsies. The introduction of robotic bronchoscopy is an important turning point that can overcome these diagnostic challenges and will serve as an opportunity to expand the horizons of early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer."