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Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD

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Specializes in: Adult Pulmonology and Adult Critical Care

Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Professional interests include: lung issues, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and more.

200 W. Arbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92103

1-800-926-8273

Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD is a pulmonologist in San Diego, CA specializing in adult pulmonology and adult critical care. He graduated from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD is affiliated with UC San Diego Health, Regents of the University of California and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Office Locations

Address:

200 W. Arbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92103

Unable to locate address.

Address:

3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto Vahcs (640)
Palo Alto, CA 94304

Address:

3855 Health Sciences Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

Address:

9300 Campus Point Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

Some issues Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD can help you with:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the tissue and airways of the lungs become extremely sensitive to certain substances. When these substances are breathed in, the lungs become inflamed. The muscles around the airways tighten and squeeze the lungs, and passages within the lungs swell and tighten. The airways themselves produce mucus, which further clogs the tightened, swollen airways. A person having an asthma attack finds it very difficult to breathe, and a severe attack can even be fatal.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but people with asthma are most often diagnosed as children. Symptoms can include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some people have mild symptoms all the time, and some people have no symptoms at all, but everyone with asthma is susceptible to occasional severe attacks or flare-ups of symptoms when they are exposed to triggers. Triggers vary widely but can include:

Allergens (dust mites, pet fur, mold, pollen, grass)
Irritants (smoke, pollution, dust, chemicals)
Viral infections
Physical activity, especially outdoors
Certain medications or chemicals in foods (aspirin, sulfites)

Treatment for most asthma patients involves three steps. Patients learn what their asthma triggers are and avoid them. They take a daily control medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, they have rescue medication with them at all times to take in case of a severe attack. These quick-acting inhaled medications relax the muscles around the airways and allow the lungs to open up for air.

There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment it should not interfere with daily life and activities.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth or nose and slowly advanced to the lungs. This allows doctors to see the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways), and lungs. Doctors may recommend those who have or show signs of lung problems - for example, lung cancer or difficulty breathing - to undergo a bronchoscopy.

In performing a diagnostic bronchoscopy, doctors may only wish to visualize the respiratory tract, or doctors may also collect samples of tissue or fluid. The samples can help diagnose patients' conditions or, if patients have cancer, they can be used for staging purposes. One method for sample collection is bronchoalveolar lavage. In a bronchoalveolar lavage, doctors inject saline (salt water) through the bronchoscope and then suction it out of the airways. The washout collected is tested for lung disorders. Doctors can also insert a biopsy tool to collect tissue or mucus samples. The following are biopsies that can be performed by bronchoscopy:

Brush biopsy, which uses a brush to collect samples.
Endobronchial biopsy, which uses the bronchoscope to guide forceps to sample lung tissue.
Transbronchial biopsy, which uses forceps and image guidance - such as X-rays, CT scans, or fluoroscopy - to sample lung tissue.
Transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA), which uses a small needle to take samples of the lymph nodes or lungs.

For visualization, bronchoscopy can be done alone, or it can be combined with ultrasound. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time imaging of the airway and is used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, as well as for determining where the cancer has spread. EBUS can be performed with TBNA, a procedure known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Doctors can also use bronchoscopy as a treatment for lung problems. For example, if a foreign body is trapped in the airway, doctors can insert forceps through the bronchoscope to remove it. If the airway has become narrowed - which may occur if patients have an infection, cancer, or some other inflammatory issue - bronchoscopy can be used to place a device called a stent in the area of constriction. The stent will keep the airway open, allowing the patient to breathe properly.

During a bronchoscopy, patients will be given medication (sedative) to help them relax. If it is only a diagnostic bronchoscopy, patients will be kept awake, but if the bronchoscopy is for therapeutic purposes, patients will be put to sleep by general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. They will not be able to eat or drink for about 2 hours. Some patients may experience discomfort, such as a sore throat or pain while swallowing. Throat lozenges and gargling may help alleviate these symptoms, which should go away after a few days. Patients will need to have someone drive them home once their doctor determines that they are ready.

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

aspiration	21
bronchoscopy	19
diagnostic procedures	8
doctor visit	16
hospital care	17
inpatient care	17
minimally invasive procedures	25
pleural drainage	41
thoracostomy	18

**Gender**
Male	51
Female	51

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	76
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	60
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	18

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	42
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	41
Diabetes	46
Dementia	15
Cancer	40

ablation	17
aspiration	102
bronchoscopy	199
diagnostic procedures	104
doctor visit	138
hospital care	70
inpatient care	70
minimally invasive procedures	170
minor procedures	26
pleural drainage	144
thoracic (chest) imaging	36
thoracostomy	67
ultrasound (sonogram)	36

**Gender**
Male	163
Female	143

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	228
Black	65
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	138
From 75 to 84	80
85 and over	20
Less than 65	68

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	65
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	41
Diabetes	40
Dementia	16
Cancer	39

ablation	41
aspiration	105
bronchoscopy	264
diagnostic procedures	146
doctor visit	132
hospital care	36
inpatient care	36
minimally invasive procedures	184
minor procedures	43
pleural drainage	102
thoracic (chest) imaging	26
thoracostomy	39
ultrasound (sonogram)	26

**Gender**
Male	138
Female	150

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	227
Black	50
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	135
From 75 to 84	84
85 and over	15
Less than 65	54

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	59
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	38
Diabetes	39
Dementia	20
Cancer	44

ablation	28
aspiration	99
bronchoscopy	261
diagnostic procedures	123
doctor visit	110
hospital care	43
inpatient care	43
minimally invasive procedures	157
minor procedures	39
pleural drainage	61
thoracic (chest) imaging	19
thoracostomy	20
ultrasound (sonogram)	19

**Gender**
Male	127
Female	138

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	198
Black	49
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	115
From 75 to 84	82
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	38
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	43
Diabetes	44
Dementia	16
Cancer	41

ablation	39
aspiration	177
bronchoscopy	427
diagnostic procedures	129
doctor visit	222
hospital care	67
inpatient care	67
minimally invasive procedures	157
minor procedures	48
pleural drainage	8
thoracostomy	9
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	14

**Gender**
Male	140
Female	136

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	164
Black	18
Hispanic	50
Asian	28
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	76
85 and over	19
Less than 65	63

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	55
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	53
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	41
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	37
Diabetes	41
Dementia	14
Cancer	39

ablation	69
aspiration	490
bronchoscopy	843
diagnostic procedures	185
doctor visit	350
hospital care	384
inpatient care	384
minimally invasive procedures	243
minor procedures	89
pleural drainage	101
thoracostomy	12
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	14

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2016 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD treated as a pulmonologist in San Diego, CA were bronchoscopy, aspiration, minimally invasive procedures and diagnostic procedures.

ablation	38
aspiration	166
bronchoscopy	337
diagnostic procedures	116
doctor visit	163
hospital care	102
inpatient care	102
minimally invasive procedures	157
minor procedures	49
pleural drainage	77
thoracic (chest) imaging	27
thoracostomy	28
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	14
ultrasound (sonogram)	27

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2016 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD.

**Gender**
Male	61
Female	61

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	18
Asian / Pacific Islander	2
Non-Hispanic White	89
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	5
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	5
75 to 84	32
Less than 65	20
65 to 74	56

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD From 2016 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	37
High Cholesterol	29
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	21
Atrial Fibrillation	9
Dementia	8
Cancer	20

Education & Training

Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD graduated from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He completed residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine Pulmonary Disease Critical Care Medicine and has a state license in California.

Medical School: Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine Pulmonary Disease Critical Care Medicine

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UC San Diego Health

Regents of the University of California

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$126,080 Da Vinci Surgical System $107,730	DA VINCI SP $17,350	ION $1,000
Boston Scientific Corporation	$21,824 GENERAL PULMONARY $7,202	GENERAL THERAPIES $3,413	GENERAL - METAL STENTS - GI $3,333	Biliary Devices $3,333	GENERAL - BRONCHIAL THERMOPLASTY $1,200	Other $3,343
Pinnacle Biologics, Inc	$12,740 Photofrin $12,740
Cook Incorporated	$9,115 Blue Rhino $9,088	CC - Airway Management $28
Covidien LP	$7,588 superDimension $7,567	Arcpoint $21
Other	$24,627 superDimension $4,671	Spin $4,524	Monarch $2,488	PNEUMRX COILS $2,300	Pulmonx Endobronchial Valve EBV $1,033	Other $9,612

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$88,258
Education	$56,545
Consulting Fee	$24,803
Food and Beverage	$13,895
Travel and Lodging	$11,807
Other	$6,667

Research Payments

Dr. George Zhi Cheng, MD PHD has received 5 research payments totaling $20,045.

Biography

Dr. George Cheng's areas of specialization are adult critical care and adult pulmonology. His clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery, lung cancer, and asthma. His average rating from his patients is 5.0 stars (out of 5). After attending Harvard Medical School and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Cheng completed his residency training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and a hospital affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is conversant in Mandarin. Dr. Cheng is professionally affiliated with UC San Diego Health, Regents of the University of California, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. UC San Diego Health reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in San Diego, CA.