Surgery is a common treatment for the main types of lung cancer. The recommended surgical intervention is determined by the size of the tumor, the stage of the disease, and the overall health condition.
There are two types of techniques used to treat lung cancer. The choice of the appropriate operation depends on the location, size, and stage of the lung tumor. The options are as follows:
Thoracotomy
This involves an incision on the side of the chest. Usually, it is performed by dividing some muscles of the chest wall to access the lung through the ribs. It is considered when working on a large surface area of the lung.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
This approach usually involves one to four small incisions to access the inside of the chest. A camera is used to visualize the lung, and special instruments are inserted to perform the surgical intervention. This technique is also known as thoracoscopy.
Lung cancer surgeries vary in terms of the amount of lung tissue removed. Therefore, the main types of surgical interventions are as follows:
Atypical Lung Resection
Atypical lung resection is considered for removing small-sized tumors, especially those that are unlikely to spread.
Lung Segmentectomy
In a segmentectomy, one or more segments of a lung lobe are removed, preserving half or more of it. This surgical intervention is performed when lobectomy is not possible.
Lobectomy
Lobectomy involves removing an entire lung lobe. The procedure is done through a few small, minimally invasive incisions or a large incision on the side of the chest.
Pneumonectomy
Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove the entire lung. The remaining lung can take over all the functions of the removed lung. Patients who undergo pneumonectomy may experience breathing difficulties, but this effect can be alleviated with special exercises.
The choice of surgical intervention depends on the following aspects:
If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, get in touch with Dr. Nicolae Bacalbașa to determine the ideal treatment!