Question: I’ve just been diagnosed with lung cancer, and my doctor said I may need to have surgery. What can I expect?

Answer: Your healthcare team will explain the best type of surgery for you, but the goal will be to remove all of the tumor(s) without removing too much lung tissue.

Types of lung cancer surgeries

Wedge resection vs. segmental resection

When the tumor is small, the surgeon will remove a small part of the lung. They can do this through 1) a wedge resection, removing a small wedge-shaped piece of the lung, or 2) a segmental resection, removing a slightly larger piece of the lung.

Lobectomy

Larger tumors, or those close to the middle of the chest, will need larger parts of the lung removed. The lungs have parts or sections called lobes. A lobectomy is when a surgeon removes a lobe of the lung.

Pneumonectomy

In some cases, a surgeon may remove the entire lung. This procedure is called a pneumonectomy. Many people can live very full lives with only one lung.

Lymphadectomy

When lung cancer surgery is needed, sometimes lymph nodes around the tumor must be removed to look for cancer cells. This procedure is called lymph node dissection or lymphadenectomy.

After surgery

After lung cancer surgery, the tissue from the lung goes to a pathologist. They will look at the tissue and the edges around the tumor to see if all of the tumor was removed. If there are no tumor cells at the edges, it means the entire tumor was removed. The pathologist will share results with you and your healthcare team that will help guide the next steps after surgery.

Preparing for surgery

It’s a good idea to make a list of all your questions and talk to your healthcare team about any concerns you may have. Some questions to consider include:

  • What type of surgery is right for me and why?
  • What are the risks of the surgery?
  • What are the long-term effects after the surgery?
  • How long will I be in the hospital?
  • What side effects should I expect?
  • Will I feel pain? If so, how will it be controlled?
  • When can I get back to my normal activities?

Sometimes, surgery is the only treatment needed for lung cancer. Other times, additional therapies may be used if the cancer isn’t fully removed during surgery or if there are possible remaining cancer cells in your body.

Please note that the information included in any published answer is for educational pursuit only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult their healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Nothing from GO2 for Lung Cancer should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion.