Lung cancer surgery is the removal of the tumor and some surrounding lung tissue during an operation. Along with the tumor and tissue, parts of or the entire lung may also be removed during the surgical procedure.
What is Surgery?
Surgery is most often used for lung cancer in people diagnosed with early-stage (Stages 1-3A) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when the tumor has not spread outside the lungs. It may provide the best chance of cure for people diagnosed with early-stage NSCLC. Surgery is rarely used for people living with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and only if the cancer is in its very early-stage and contained in one location.
Your healthcare team will determine if surgery is a treatment option for you depending on the type, location and stage of your lung cancer, medical history and overall health.
Types of Lung Cancer Surgery
There are two common types of surgery to remove lung cancer tumors. Which surgery is best for your specific lung cancer will depend on the location, size, and stage of your tumor.
- Thoracotomy: During a thoracotomy, your surgeon will open up your chest to access your lung/s directly
- Thoracoscopy (minimally invasive lung cancer surgery): A thoracoscopy is when a surgeon makes small incisions to access the inside of your chest. They then use a camera to see the lung and remove the tumor. Sometimes, these procedures are done with the assistance of a surgical robot
Types of Surgical Procedures
There are several different procedures that may be done to remove your tumor.
- Lobectomy: This is when an entire lobe of the lung affected by cancer is removed. This is the most common lung cancer surgery
- Bilobectomy: This is when two lobes of the lung are removed, and is only performed on the right lung
- Sleeve Lobectomy: If your tumor is in one lobe, but also goes into the main bronchus of that lung, a sleeve resection will sometimes be done. This means the cancerous lobe will be removed along with a portion of the main bronchus to that lung
- Segmentectomy: Because each lung lobe is made up of three to five segments, your surgeon may choose to only remove segments affected by the tumor instead of the entire lobe
- Wedge Resection: A wedge resection is when your surgeon removes a small, wedge-shaped part of the lung tissue surrounding the tumor
- Pneumonectomy: If your lung cancer cannot be fully removed with a lobectomy, or if the tumor is centrally located, your surgeon may remove the entire lung affected by cancer
Possible Lung Cancer Surgery Risks and Side Effects
Like any treatment, there can be risks and side effects with lung cancer surgery. Pain after surgery is common. Possible complications during or after surgery may include excess bleeding, blood clots, reactions to anesthesia, wound infections, and pneumonia. Not everyone will have the same side effects. It's important to monitor how you are feeling after surgery and let your surgeon know if you experience any problems or have concerns so that you can work together to manage treatment side effects.
Recovering From Lung Cancer Surgery
Your body has just gone through a lot, and it may take weeks or months to feel better. If you've had a thoracotomy, you will likely take longer to recover and have more pain than if you've had minimally invasive lung cancer surgery, which uses smaller incisions.
If your lungs are generally in good condition, you may often return to normal activities after some time, even after having a lobe or a lung removed. However, if you have other lung diseases like chronic bronchitis or emphysema, you may experience increased shortness of breath following surgery. Listen to your body and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Additional Treatments
Even with surgery as the primary treatment, your doctor may recommend additional treatments before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery. Adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy, help to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body and lower the risk of cancer returning.
Be sure to discuss any additional treatment options, before or after surgery, with your healthcare team.
After Lung Cancer Surgery
While you may feel good about having your lung cancer removed, it is important to follow the treatment and monitoring plan provided by your healthcare team after surgery and maintain a healthy lifestyle. That means eating healthy foods, staying active, and going to regular follow-up care appointments.
Find tips and suggestions for creating a plan, pre- and post-surgery, in our Early-Stage (Stages 1-3A) NSCLC Action Plan.