Piedmont Macon Medical Center now has the ability to better locate and biopsy early-stage lung cancer and suspicious tumors in the lungs with high precision.

The ION allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures to navigate to small lung nodules that might otherwise be difficult to reach. The robot uses ultra-thin shape-sensing technology to guide biopsies, which reduces the need for more invasive procedures and provides for greater accuracy and quicker recovery.

“Bringing the ION robot to our hospital ensures that our patients in Middle Georgia have access to some of the most advanced diagnostic technology available today,” said Scott Strong, chief operating officer at Piedmont Macon. “It allows us to identify issues earlier, treat them more effectively and deliver a higher level of care close to home.”

The ION’s benefits to patients include:

• Less invasive procedures that reduce the risk of lung complications when compared to traditional needle biopsies.
• Quicker diagnoses, which are especially important in cases of cancer. Cancer can be detected much earlier, often before symptoms show up.
• Added convenience to patients since hospitalization is not usually required. The bronchoscopies are generally same-day or outpatient procedures.

Lung cancer is the third-most common cancer in the U.S. and the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women. The American Cancer Society estimates there were more than 225,000 new cases of lung cancer in 2025. According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year relative survival for stage 1 lung cancer is 65 percent compared to 28 percent across all stages.

“Early detection is the key,” said Amanda DiPaolo, director of Surgical Services at Piedmont Macon. “This technology has the potential to save lives by helping us find cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. When we can diagnose sooner and act faster, we give our patients a significantly better chance at successful outcomes. That’s what makes the ION robot such a powerful, life-changing tool at Piedmont Macon.”