Dignity Health Norton Thoracic Institute - Dignity Health St Joseph's Westgate Medical Center

The team at Norton Thoracic Institute’s Glendale location diagnoses and treats many types of cancers and conditions that affect the chest.

Some of the most common include:

• Advanced lung disease

• Airway tumors and cancers that spread to the chest

• Barrett’s esophagus

• Chest wall tumors

• Cystic Fibrosis

• Esophageal cancer

• Gastric cancer

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Lung cancer

• Mediastinal tumors

• Mesothelioma

We also treat many lung infections, and can diagnose unexplained lung nodules or masses.

At Norton Thoracic Institute in Glendale, our thoracic specialists support your lung health and breathing with a variety of advanced therapies and procedures, including:

• Airway stenosis management

• Bronchial thermoplasty

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Foreign body removal

• Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis support

• Lung cancer screening

• Minimally invasive bronchoscopy tests and procedures

• Surgery to remove lung cancer tumors

• Transbronchial cryobiopsy

• Whole lung lavage

• Pulmonary Nodules

Norton Thoracic Institute offers several advanced tools and treatments that may not be available at many hospitals, including:

• Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, which can mean smaller incisions and faster recovery

• Robotic bronchoscopy for highly precise lung biopsies and diagnosis

• Advanced interventional pulmonology procedures

• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a highly targeted form of radiation

• Genomic testing to help match patients with targeted therapies

These technologies allow our team to diagnose and treat thoracic cancers with greater precision.

The experienced surgeons at Norton Thoracic Institute have training in advanced surgical procedures. Many thoracic surgery procedures can be done using minimally invasive techniques, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or robotic-assisted surgery. These approaches use smaller incisions, which can result in less pain and a faster recovery. Your surgeon will recommend the safest and most effective option for your condition.

Your doctor may refer you to a thoracic surgeon if imaging tests, biopsies or symptoms indicate you have a condition that may require surgical treatment. Your surgeon will review your scans, medical history and overall health before recommending a treatment plan. In some cases, surgery may not be needed.

At Norton Thoracic Institute in Glendale, our lung cancer screenings use low-dose computed tomography (CT) technology to make detailed images of your lungs. The scan only takes a few minutes and is not painful.

Yes. A thoracic cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our nurse navigators help guide patients through every step of care. They can help schedule appointments, explain tests and treatments, coordinate visits with multiple specialists, and connect patients and families with supportive services.

We take a whole-person approach to your care at Norton Thoracic Institute, supporting not only physical health but also emotional and practical needs.

Patients may have access to services such as:

• Oncology social workers

• Nutrition counseling

• Pain management specialists

• Emotional and psychological support

• Spiritual care services

Cancer support groups through Dignity Health Cancer Institute