Lung Cancer Surgery

The type of lung cancerSurgery is used to treat non-small cell lung cancers. It is not normally used to treat small cell lung cancer, except very early ones. This is because small cell lung cancer is rarely diagnosed when it is just in one place in the body. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are more often used for small cell lung cancer.

The size and position of the cancerIf you cancer is very near your
Heart
Windpipe
Gullet

Major blood vessels your surgeon may suggest you see a cancer specialist. It may be better for you to have other cancer treatment such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or possibly both. This is because surgery too near these areas can be dangerous.
Types of operationThere are three main types of operation used to treat lung cancer. These are
Removing a small section of lung
Removing a lobe of the lung
Removing the whole lung

Removing a section of lungThese operations remove a small part of the lung. A wedge resection removes a very small part of the lung. A segmentectomy removes a slightly larger bit of lung. These types of operation are used when the specialist thinks the cancer has been diagnosed early and is only in one very small area. If the specialist thinks the cancer cells could be anywhere else in the lung he or she will not recommend this type of operation. A small number of people with lung cancer have an operation called a sleeve resection. Your surgeon may do this to avoid removing your whole lung if the cancer is central and affecting one of your main airways (bronchi). In this situation a simple lobectomy can't be done. The operation involves removing the affected section of the bronchus, and any surrounding cancer in the lobe. Removing a lobe of lung Lobectomy is the removal of one lobe of the lung. Bilobectomy is the removal of two lobes of the lung. The surgeon will recommend this type of operation if he or she thinks the cancer is just in one part of one lung. It is the most common type of operation for lung cancer.

Removing a whole lung This is called pneumonectomy. Your specialist will recommend this operation if the position of the tumour is central within the lung and involves either the 2 lobes on the left or the 3 lobes on the right.

Many people worry that they won't be able to breathe properly with only one lung but you can breathe normally with only one lung. If you had breathing problems before the operation, you will probably still be breathless afterwards. Your doctor will arrange for you to have breathing tests before the surgery to help decide if the operation is right for you. If your cancer has spread If your cancer has spread to anywhere else in your body, then a major operation to remove your cancer will not the right treatment for you. These operations are carried out to try to cure the cancer. If there are cancer cells anywhere else, the operation will not cure your cancer. Your doctor will probably suggest another type of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy instead. Your general health If you have other health problems such as a severe heart condition or other lung disease, you may not be fit enough to have major lung surgery. Your surgeon will examine you thoroughly and do quite a few tests before you decide together whether an operation is right for you at all. Or whether you should have a smaller operation. See also radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.