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FirstHealth first in North Carolina to use new biopsy technology that helps detect lung cancer faster and more accurately

By Staff Report, posted Oct 31, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

FirstHealth of the Carolinas is now the first and only health system in North Carolina using a new tool called the Van Gogh™ Microscopy System – a major step forward in how pulmonologists and other proceduralists detect lung cancer.

The new technology is part of FirstHealth’s advanced bronchoscopy program at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst led by Pinehurst Medical Clinic’s (PMC) Interventional Pulmonologists Bradley Icard, D.O., Michael Pritchett, D.O., MPH and Adam Belanger, M.D. who offer a broad range of comprehensive pulmonology services in Lee and Moore counties under a patient services agreement with FirstHealth.

These pulmonologists are experts in the field, providing state-of-the-art care thanks to FirstHealth’s advanced technology to improve lung cancer detection and diagnosis. The Van Gogh™ Microscopy System is one of those advanced technologies and is used during lung biopsies to help pulmonologists quickly see whether they’ve collected the right kind of tissue. This means patients can get answers faster and may avoid the need for repeat procedures.

“This technology allows us to see how cells are behaving in real time—while the patient is still in the procedure room,” said Bradley Icard, D.O. in a press release. “It helps us tell the difference between malignant cells and benign findings like inflammation, right then and there. That means faster answers, better biopsies and smarter care.”

Traditionally, doctors have to take a sample during a lung biopsy and wait for lab results to confirm whether the sample includes a suspicious lesion. Sometimes, the results come back as “inconclusive” or “non-diagnostic,” meaning the biopsy didn’t collect enough of the right tissue.

That can lead to delays, added stress and even a second procedure. The Van Gogh system changes that. Using a special imaging technique called Dynamic Cell Imaging, the system allows doctors to look at how active the cells are—similar to how a PET scan shows activity in the body, but at the microscopic level. It’s fast, safe and doesn’t damage the tissue, so it can still be sent for further testing after the procedure.

What This Means for Patients

“This is about giving patients better answers, sooner,” Dr. Icard added in the release. “We can now confirm on the spot if we’re getting the right kind of tissue, which helps the entire care team move forward with confidence.”

For more information about lung care at FirstHealth, visit www.firsthealth.org/lung.

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