Division of Thoracic Surgery

Message from the Chair

Thoracic surgery is the surgical subspecialty that deals with diseases of the chest (thorax), as well as the trachea, esophagus, and stomach.  Some of the more common conditions we treat include:  lung cancer, esophageal cancer, hiatus hernia (esophageal reflux), metastatic disease to the lung, and end-stage lung disease from any cause.  Many of these operations are performed using minimally invasive surgery ie. laparoscopic or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or endoscopic techniques.

More unusual conditions treated by thoracic surgery include: myasthenia gravis, thymoma, hyperhidrosis, achalasia, tracheal strictures, and chest wall tumors such as sarcomas.

Our lung transplant program is the largest in Canada and we transplant patients with a variety of lungs diseases including: pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and many others.

We have a number of specific clinical programs:

  • Lung Cancer Program (Lung RAMP)
  • Esophageal Cancer ProgramBenign Esophageal Disease (reflux, motility disorders)
  • Interventional Thoracic Surgical SuiteEmphysema Program
  • Lung Transplant Program
  • Mesothelioma Program
  • Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Metastatic Lung Cancer Program

Thoracic Surgery in Toronto began as a subspecialty of General Surgery on Ward “C” of the Toronto General Hospital over 70 years ago with the pioneering efforts of Dr. Norman Shenstone and Dr. Robert Janes.

View information regarding our residency program

We have five academic sites in a range of locations across the GTA.

The clinical research program includes research in thoracic oncology, pulmonary hypertension, benign esophageal diseases and lung transplantation.

View information regarding our fellowship programs

Division Chair Office and Program Director Office