What Is the Most Used Lung Cancer Surgery?

Surgery for lung cancer includes removal of the tumor, lymph nodes or section of the lung that contains the tumor. For several types and stages of lung cancer, surgery is the treatment of choice, either alone or in combination with radiation or chemotherapy.

The Facts

• According to Cancer Help UK, surgery is typically used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. It is not often recommended for small cell lung cancer. This is because small cell lung cancer has usually spread beyond the lung when it is diagnosed.

Most Common Type

• According to the American Cancer Society, lobectomy is the most common type of surgery for lung cancer. In this type of surgery, a section (lobe) of the lung is removed.

Other Types

• Pneumonectomy is a type of lung surgery in which the whole lung is removed. In segmentectomy or wedge-resection surgery, part of the lobe is removed.

Considerations

• Your doctor will choose what type of surgery you need based on the location and size of the tumor, as well as how well your lungs are functioning.

Recovery

• You will probably spend five to seven days in the hospital after surgery. You may feel short of breath for a while after surgery. Working with a respiratory therapist will aid your recovery.