A new 3D Virtual Reality (VR) imaging technology at OSF HealthCare has provided surgeons with improved visualization of cancer, leading to significant changes in surgical planning. Thoracic surgeon Richard Anderson, MD, who is also chair and Norman Estes Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, described the transition from standard imaging to 3D modeling as transformative.
“So the real difference between a 2D and 3D is, just imagine looking at something on a piece of paper with two different pictures, looking at it from side to side, as opposed to having a model in your hand and being able to take that model and move it all around in all different directions, upside down, inside out, even open up things within the model and look at it. It’s really the difference between 2D and 3D.” Dr. Anderson adds, “It’s really quite impressive.”
The technology enables surgical teams to isolate tumors and examine their relationships with surrounding anatomy before entering the operating room. This clarity is particularly important for complex thoracic oncology cases due to the delicate nature of chest anatomy.
“In the more complex oncology cases, it can make a big difference. It can help the surgeon really identify what structures they have to worry about during the operation, what structures they might have to sacrifice, before they actually do the operation and gives them a little bit more level of confidence going into the operation than probably they would have before,” said Dr. Anderson.
Dr. Anderson highlighted that arteries in this region are delicate and prone to injury: “The arteries aren’t made the same, and so they’re easier to tear. They’re much more delicate. Lung tissue is sometimes like tissue paper, too. It’s easy to injure and tear. You have got to be very careful when you do the dissections in thoracic surgery. That’s what makes it so challenging.”
One recent case involved Jake Wilson, a retired farmer diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. Initial scans suggested his tumor had invaded three ribs—an outcome that typically requires extensive removal of bone during surgery.
However, after applying advanced 3D modeling and VR analysis—the first time for an adult lung cancer patient at OSF HealthCare—the medical team discovered that Wilson’s ribs were not affected by cancer; instead, only muscle tissue was involved.
Sister M. Pieta Keller along with Connor Davey and Reid Jockisch from Jump Simulation segmented Wilson’s tumor for VR viewing. Sister M. Pieta demonstrated these images for Wilson: “And your recovery and your pain would have been a lot higher,” she told him regarding potential rib removal; Wilson responded simply: “I’m sure.” Sister M. Pieta added: “So this was quite the gift.”
Wilson reflected on his fears prior to surgery: “That put the fear of God into me, needless to say because I’m an active person… I thought ‘I could see being debilitated for the rest of my life.’”
Post-surgery outcomes were better than expected—pain was minimal compared with typical chest wall resections; he required only mild pain medication and did not need supplemental oxygen despite losing half his lung.
Follow-up imaging showed rapid expansion of remaining lung tissue; biopsies indicated that all tumor cells were non-viable upon removal.
Wilson credits early detection through annual CT screening—recommended by his primary care doctor while he was still smoking—with saving his life: “I thought ‘I’m the one that’s stupid enough to do this… I ought to at least be smart enough’… And thank God I did because I might already be gone.”
He emphasized hope as crucial during treatment: “I know for a fact that the most important thing a person can have in these ordeals is hope because without hope you give up… if you give up you’re done.”
Dr. Anderson said cases like Wilson’s show how new technologies may improve both surgical processes and patient outcomes: “A good day at work.” For Wilson himself, sharing his story serves as encouragement for preventive screenings—and gratitude for every day.
