Lung Surgery For Lung Cancer

Surgery Overview

The goal of surgery for lung cancer is to remove all of the cancer and a border of normal tissue (margin) around it. The type of surgery depends on the location and size of the tumor. Types include:

Wedge resection.

The doctor removes a small wedge of lung.

Segmentectomy.

The doctor removes a larger part of the lung.

Lobectomy.

The doctor removes the affected lobe of the lung.

Sleeve resection.

The doctor removes the affected part of the bronchus and reconnects the healthy ends.

Pneumonectomy.

The doctor removes the whole affected lung.

During surgery, the doctor may also remove nearby lymph nodes to find out if the cancer has spread.

Lung surgery may be done through one cut (incision) in the chest (thoracotomy). Or it may be done through several small cuts (video-assisted thoracic surgery, or VATS). Your doctor can help you understand which type of surgery is best for you.