NCC to deploy robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to boost early lung cancer diagnosis

The National Cancer Center (NCC) will introduce a state-of-the-art robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system to improve early lung cancer diagnosis rates. This high-precision, robot-guided diagnostic technology is designed to navigate the lungs’ complex bronchial structures and accurately reach target areas. Currently, only the NCC and Ulsan University Hospital have adopted this advanced system in Korea.

NCC announced Monday that it will introduce the ION® robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system from Intuitive Surgical, with clinical use set to begin in June. NCC expects the system to enhance biopsy accuracy and diagnostic rates by enabling precise access to even the deepest areas of the lungs, regardless of lesion size or location.

“NCC has led the advancement of lung cancer diagnosis and staging since introducing endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in Korea for the first time in 2005,” said Professor Hwang Bo-bin of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at NCC. “The adoption of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is expected to open a new chapter in the diagnosis of lung cancer.”

Professor Chung Hyun-sung of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at NCC said robotic-assisted bronchoscopy can be applied in various areas, including diagnosing lung nodules, assessing surgical margins for small lung cancers, planning radiation therapy, and identifying metastatic lung cancer. He added that related evaluation studies will be conducted.

“Lung cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose at an early stage,” said Yang Han-kwang, President of NCC. “While low-dose chest CT enables early detection of suspicious nodules, confirming a diagnosis through biopsy remains difficult. The introduction of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy represents a significant step forward in addressing these challenges.”