Northside Ask the Doctor

MEET THE DOCTOR

Dr. Andrew Helms

Northside Thoracic Surgery

Dr. Andrew Helms is a board-certified thoracic surgeon that practices out of our Canton, Blairsville, and Marietta offices. He completed his fellowship in thoracic surgery at the University of California in San Francisco. He has over a decade of extensive experience helping patients and performing minimally invasive surgeries including lung resections, decortications, as well as robotic-assisted mediastinal surgery, and esophagectomies.

Before beginning his medical education, Dr. Helms earned his Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and went on to complete his Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University. As an engineer, Dr. Helms was fascinated by the technology used for minimally invasive surgery. This led to him to his passion, becoming a thoracic surgeon.

THORACIC SURGERY

At Northside Thoracic Surgery, we are experts at minimally invasive surgeries and specialize in general thoracic surgery. We treat diseases like esophageal cancer and many cancers that may spread to the lungs. People who are heavy smokers or are exposed to second-hand smoke are at high risk of developing lung cancer. That’s why it’s important to receive a chest CT scan if you are considered high risk. If cancer is found in the lungs, common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of all three.

Listen to ASK THE DOCTOR

on WLJA 101.1 FM First & Third Wednesday of each month at 5:15 pm

Northside Thoracic Surgery

Canton - 460 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Suite 140, Canton, GA 30115 • 404-252-9063 northsidethoracicsurgery.com

ASK THE DOCTOR

What is thoracic surgery? What is the Lung Nodule Clinic?

Thoracic surgery is surgery of the chest and all structures within the lungs, heart, ribs, esophagus, etc. It’s generally broken down into two main specialties for adults, general thoracic and cardiac. Here at Northside Hospital, we specialize in general thoracic surgery.

What kind of diseases do you treat?

At Northside Thoracic Surgery, we treat diseases of the chest that don’t involve heart surgery like lung cancer, esophageal cancer, infections of the chest, and any cancers or diseases that may spread to the lungs. This also includes surgery on the ribs and muscles of the chest and diseases that cause a buildup of fluid around the lungs or heart.

Who is at risk of getting lung cancer?

Smoking is the number one risk factor for getting lung cancer. Other risk factors are exposure to radon, exposure to asbestos, second-hand smoking exposure (being around someone that smokes), and a family history of lung cancer. In general, if a person has been smoking a pack or more a day for twenty or more years, they are considered to be at high risk of getting lung cancer.

Is there a way to screen for lung cancer?

The Lung Nodule Clinic is a clinic in which patients are seen by pulmonologists who review their CT scans, labs, and do a pertinent history and physical exam. Then they make recommendations on the next steps to take. This could be anything from getting a new chest CT scan in a few months to doing a lung biopsy. The patients are all reviewed by another group of physicians including a thoracic surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist who also give input on what next steps should be done.

What if someone is found to have lung cancer?

If lung cancer is found, a group of physicians meet to decide what is the best treatment plan. This can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of two or all three.

If someone needs surgery, can it be done without a large incision?

Yes! All the thoracic surgeons at Northside are experts at minimally invasive surgery including VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery) and RATS (Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery). Most cancers can be treated surgically with a few very small incisions.

Yes. People who are at high risk for lung cancer can get a chest CT scan which is a special X-ray that looks for abnormalities in the chest. If a significant abnormality is found, they are referred to the Lung Nodule Clinic here at Northside Cherokee Hospital.

How long do people stay in the hospital after thoracic surgery?

The hospital stay all depends on what is done, but most people can leave the hospital after one to three days.

NEXT ON: ASK THE DOCTOR

Dr. Cheney Wilson and Dr. Edward Kang

Send your questions to: nswellness@northside.com