Dr. Eric S. Lambright

About Dr. Eric Lambright

Dr. Eric Lambright is a Tennessee oncologist who leads Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s thoracic surgery team, treating malignant mesothelioma and other cancers that develop in the chest and lungs.

Dr. Lambright is a top specialist for patients with pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this cancer, which forms in the lining of the lungs (pleura). He has decades of experience performing multiple types of surgeries, allowing many patients to live longer.

He can also treat U.S. veterans with mesothelioma since he leads the thoracic surgery team at Nashville VA Medical Center, which is partnered with Vanderbilt’s medical school.

Dr. Lambright is a caring, dedicated professional who ensures that all his patients can access the best treatments for their diagnosis.

“I’ve tried to instill in my kids that if you have a position where every day you show up and try to help your fellow human being out, that’s a pretty good responsibility and a noble effort. And that’s fundamentally what we do. We show up, and we try to help people.”
– Dr. Eric S. Lambright, pleural mesothelioma specialist

What Conditions Does Dr. Eric S. Lambright Treat?

Dr. Lambright and his thoracic oncology team treat a variety of cancers and other health problems that affect the lungs.

These include:

• Pleural mesothelioma
• Esophageal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lung failure
• Rib cage and diaphragm diseases
• Other lung-related cancers

Dr. Lambright can perform several types of mesothelioma surgeries. These include major resections to remove as much cancer as possible and minimally invasive techniques such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

In severe cases, Dr. Lambright may use lung failure surgery or lung transplantation to improve a patient’s quality of life.

Dr. Lambright collaborates with fellow Vanderbilt health care providers who specialize in radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other mesothelioma treatments that can help patients live longer.

We can help you or a loved one connect with top specialists like Dr. Lambright. Use our Free Doctor Match to get started.

Dr. Eric S. Lambright’s Medical Background

Dr. Lambright obtained his undergraduate degree from Ursinus College in 1991 and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1995.

He then undertook residencies in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania through the early 2000s, where he studied gene therapies for the treatment of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

“I’m a general thoracic surgeon. I’ve been at Vanderbilt since 2004, where I served as the surgical director for lung transplantation.”
– Dr. Eric S. Lambright, pleural mesothelioma specialist

Dr. Lambright was drawn to surgical treatment because his mother-in-law and father-in-law both had lung cancer.

Dr. Eric S. Lambright’s Work Experience

Dr. Lambright has worked at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center for over 20 years, where he leads the Department of Thoracic Surgery.

In this role, he treats mesothelioma patients at the Vanderbilt Clinic in Nashville and Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee.

Dr. Lambright also serves as the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Nashville VA Medical Center, which is affiliated with the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. This partnership allows veterans with mesothelioma to get the high-quality care they need to live longer with this cancer.

He also mentors future mesothelioma and lung cancer surgeons as an associate professor at Vanderbilt University.

Highlights of Dr. Eric S. Lambright’s Medical Career

Dr. Lambright is an accomplished cancer surgeon who has received numerous awards for his work in treating patients.

Dr. Lambright’s awards and accolades include:

• 5-star U.S. News & World Report patient rating
• Castle Connolly Top Doctor status for over 12 years
• Nashville Lifestyles Magazine top doctor status since 2015
• Vanderbilt University FY 23 Patient Experience Award Recipient (2023)

These awards show that Dr. Lambright is an accomplished cancer doctor who consistently provides high-quality care to patients.

In addition, many of Dr. Lambright’s patients have praised him for his thoughtfulness and dedication to improving their quality of life.

“Dr. Lambright and his team are absolutely phenomenal. I would never have any hesitation in recommending anybody to them for their health needs.”
– Patient of Dr. Eric Lambright, March 2024

Dr. Eric S. Lambright’s Cancer Research

Besides his work in helping mesothelioma patients live longer, Dr. Lambright has also been a part of many cancer research programs and clinical trials.

Some of his recently published research includes:

• “Impact of Anticoagulation Intensity on Blood Transfusion for Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation During Lung Transplantation.” Published in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplant, May 2024.
• “The Thoracic Research Evaluation and Treatment 2.0 Model: A Lung Cancer Prediction Model for Indeterminate Nodules Referred for Specialist Evaluation.” Published in Chest, November 2023.
• “Short-term outcomes of robotic-assisted transthoracic diaphragmatic plication.” Published in The Journal of Thoracic Disease, April 2023.
• “Minimally Invasive and Sublobar Resections for Lung Cancer.” Published in The Surgical Clinics of North America, June 2022.

Through these studies, Dr. Lambright and his team are advancing treatments for patients living with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.

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Connect With Dr. Eric S. Lambright

Mesothelioma specialists like Dr. Eric Lambright can make a significant difference in the lives of patients. Under Dr. Lambright’s care, patients can access the treatments they need to live longer.

Dr. Lambright truly cares about the well-being of his patients. He and his team will do all they can to effectively treat mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases.

“I was kind enough to receive a note from one of the patients I looked after, and it said, ‘Thank you for making a fundamental difference in my life.’ And to get those kinds of statements, that’s meaningful, and that’s why we’re here.”
– Dr. Eric S. Lambright, pleural mesothelioma specialist

Mesothelioma Hope is proud to help cancer patients get the care they need. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to connect with top mesothelioma specialists like Dr. Lambright right now.