Surgery is not an option for all the types of lung cancers, but in certain types it may be an effective form of treatment, especially when it is followed up by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Surgery may sound like a frightening option, but it can be a valuable and effective treatment for many patients with lung cancer.

The Effectiveness of Surgery

Surgery is mostly an option when the cancer is confined to one lung or the nearby lymph nodes. Surgery can also be very useful in determining the type of cancer the patient has developed. It is most effective for early stage non-small cell lung cancers. This includes type I to type 3A cancers, where the cancer is detectable in the lungs but has not generally spread to other parts of the body.

The surgical choices for the patient really depend on the location of the cancer and its size. Before surgery, lung cancer patients will be tested for lung function and scans will also be performed of the lungs. The surgeons will attempt to determine if enough lung function will remain after the surgery is performed for the patient to lead a fairly normal and healthy life. If the cancer is too far advanced or has spread, the patient may opt not to have surgery as remaining lung function might become too restricted to lead a relatively normal life.

There are different types of surgeries that can be performed. These include a wedge resection, where a small part of the lung is removed containing the cancer. Depending on the cancer’s size, though, a lobectomy or pneumonectomy may be performed. A lobectomy involves removing an entire affected lobe of the lung. The right lung has three lobes, and the left lung has two. A pneumonectomy, on the other hand, involves the removal of an entire lung. This type of surgery is more rare than the other types, but may be useful in some patients’ cases.

Since surgery is a big decision, patients should discuss all their options beforehand. For some, however, surgery may be the best and most effective way to treat their cancer.