Part 2/9:
Dr. Pritchett emphasizes the severity of lung cancer, describing it as the "largest cancer killer" in the U.S. The difficulty lies in diagnosing these tumors early, especially when lesions are located deep within the lung tissue or in proximity to vital structures like the aorta and pulmonary artery. Traditional biopsy techniques, such as surgical procedures or needle biopsies, often face limitations—either being too invasive or insufficiently precise. Surgical biopsies, while effective, involve open thoracotomies that can lead to long recovery times, nerve damage, and complications, particularly in patients who may not tolerate such invasive interventions.